Hybrid Training<\/a>, whilst only hitting the mainstream relatively recently, was a term coined by the great Alex Viada<\/a>, in his 2015 book \u2018The Hybrid Athlete\u2019<\/a>.<\/p>\n And here is where I\u2019m going to come across as splitting hairs a little bit, but I think it\u2019s important.<\/p>\n Yes, we have the word hybrid \u2013 hybridise, hybridisation etc. But when we are talking about the genre \u2018Hybrid Training\u2019 \u2013 and this is why capitalisation is so important \u2013 we\u2019re talking about something very particular, and something very definable. And it\u2019s a definition that lots of people I see online seem to just willingly ignore in order to make their points or jokes.<\/p>\n Side note: what\u2019s often really sad is that a lot of people making those points and taking those potshots are actually people who, if you roll back the clock 10-15 years, were having the same jokes made at their expense for the thing they do. Cough, cough.<\/p>\n This to me is just the narcissism of small differences, what Freud defined as \u2018communities with high similarities who engage in conflict, disputes, and mockery over minor differences. Exaggerating trivial distinctions to assert unique identities and superiority.\u2019<\/p>\n Hybrid Training \u2013 capital H, capital T \u2013 very specifically means the concurrent training of two different endeavours that don\u2019t complement each other and might even interfere. The classic example nowadays being long-distance running (or any running<\/a>) and bodybuilding<\/a> or strength training.<\/p>\n Mixed modal means combining different modalities of training into a single training session \u2013 usually running, lifting and gymnastics.<\/p>\n As, you might say, Hyrox does.<\/p>\n Is Hyrox Hybrid Training?<\/p>\n Yes, it\u2019s got the \u2018Hy\u2019 in its name, but the \u2018hybrid\u2019 that goes into Hyrox (apocryphally alongside the word \u2018rockstar\u2019) would be small \u2018h\u2019 \u2013 it\u2019s a hybridisation of multiple modalities into one event \u2013 not capital \u2018H\u2019 Hybrid Training.<\/p>\n In many ways, actually, training for Hyrox is the opposite of Hybrid Training, as you\u2019re training for one very specific thing, as opposed to multiple separate, contrasting and competing elements.<\/p>\n Even if you do break up your training into seemingly contrary, standalone elements (ie, running sessions and strength sessions), you’re still technically training for one goal.<\/p>\n So, Hyrox \u2013 hybrid, not Hybrid. You with me?<\/p>\n Is Hybrid Training Better Than Mixed Modal Training?<\/strong><\/p>\n Now, many people dunk on mixed modal training. I think even Viada himself has said that mixed modal training is a very inefficient way to get better at any of the individual modalities that you\u2019re training in those sessions.<\/p>\n For instance, if you want to get good at running, mixed modal sessions that include running alongside resistance training won\u2019t get you there optimally; and if you want to get good at lifting, same story.<\/p>\n And I agree. <\/p>\n But, I don\u2019t know, man \u2013 and this really is just my personal opinion here \u2013 it is very enjoyable.<\/p>\n It\u2019s not an accident that CrossFit became the revolutionary, monolithic, genre-defining movement that it did. Whatever your (poorly fleshed out) thoughts are on it.<\/p>\n I\u2019m not trying to be the best runner. I\u2019m not trying to be the strongest man. I\u2019m trying to just have as much fun as possible while getting marginally better at \u2013 maybe even just maintaining my ability to do \u2013 both. And I think, ultimately, that\u2019s more important, at least to me, than \u2018optimising\u2019 any of those pursuits.<\/p>\n That being said, I recognise that this is a preference, and I completely understand if you\u2019re into optimisation. I will be your biggest cheerleader if you choose that route.<\/p>\n If I have any specific goal in mind, I might bias one way or the other \u2013 ie, having standalone lifting or running sessions. Or even, sometimes, if I just feel like it.<\/p>\n But this sort of training has allowed me to run ultra-distances, climb mountains, compete in strongman, and on occasion have a very, very mid physique for the last 20 years.<\/p>\n I\u2019d say nowadays I probably train a maximum of three to four hours per week. Am I going to win any trail races? Nope. Medals for strength? Nada.<\/p>\n But I can run marathon-plus distance off the cuff, uphill, and lift nearly four-times my own bodyweight, so it might not be optimal, but with enough time and willing it can get you there.<\/p>\n And that\u2019s the secret sauce, if there is one, consistently doing a variety of hard things and making them progressively harder, objectively. There are more optimal ways to do that, but folks \u2013 sustainable beats optimal when optimal isn\u2019t sustainable.<\/p>\n So, mixed modal does not equal Hybrid Training. Both semantically and in terms of results.<\/p>\n But for me, at least, it\u2019s very fun.<\/p>\n Related Stories With almost 18 years in the health and fitness space as a personal trainer, nutritionist, breath coach and writer, Andrew has spent nearly half of his life exploring how to help people improve their bodies and minds. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n As our fitness editor he prides himself on keeping Men\u2019s Health at the forefront of reliable, relatable and credible fitness information, whether that\u2019s through writing and testing thousands of workouts each year, taking deep dives into the science behind muscle building and fat loss or exploring the psychology of performance and recovery. \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Whilst constantly updating his knowledge base with seminars and courses, Andrew is a lover of the practical as much as the theory and regularly puts his training to the test tackling everything from Crossfit and strongman competitions, to ultra marathons, to multiple 24 hour workout stints and (extremely unofficial) world record attempts. \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0You can find Andrew on Instagram at @theandrew.tracey, or simply hold up a sign for \u2018free pizza\u2019 and wait for him to appear.<\/p>\n![\"Headshot](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/a0ac72af-e9ca-461a-91a3-561ebe81afe1_1681479464.png\" "\\"Headshot")
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