I did my first Hyrox & here’s what I learned....

I did my first Hyrox & here’s what I learned....

Incorporating travel/holidays & fitness was not something I ever though would appeal to me to be completely honest – I run a gym, so surely a holiday would mean getting as far away as possible from all things gym and fitness related….

Well, as the years have gone on, I’ve come to realise that fitness & training is a central part of my life, it’s not ‘just a job’ – it is a part of who I am. I enjoy it, it is a pleasure, not a punishment and therefore, why would I deprive myself of something I enjoy wholeheartedly, just because I happen to be away from Wolfhound?

Nice little throwback to our visit to Top Training Tenerife in April 2024 - could we squeeze in a cheeky visit in 2025??? I certainly hope so ;) 

New York has always been on my list of cities to visit – so when I saw Hyrox New York was open for registration – it seemed like the perfect combo – an opportunity to visit a city I have longed to see, while taking on a challenge I was curious to experience. I twisted my brother Kevin's to do the mixed pairs with me & away we went.

We enjoyed two days exploring the Big Apple before the event and in hindsight the 40k steps clocked up each day were far from the ideal preparation but we controlled the controllables – hydrated well, got our carb loading in as best we could, called into CrossFit South Brooklyn to bank some mobility & movement and were ready to rock by Saturday afternoon.

30-degree heat, in a fully outdoor event was an unexpected curveball but the energy & excitement from the crowds pushed any uncertainty aside & we couldn’t wait to get going!!!

I did feel pretty well prepared for the event so I didn’t necessarily find any part caught me off-guard - but the heat from the mats on the burpee broad jumps certainly jacked my heart rate a lot more than expected!!

But crossing the finish line was an absolutely amazing feeling, and particularly special to do it alongside family – so it is something I would absolutely encourage any fitness enthusiasts to give a go, but like everything, there are few things worth considering before you sign up for, or go to do your first Hyrox event.

  • This is primarily a running event. If you are not planning on actively incorporating structured and regular running into your weekly training, it’s probably not the right goal or event for you.

  • I saw more people dropping out due to injury during the Hyrox NY event than I have ever seen at a CrossFit event – don’t fall into a false sense that simply because there are no ‘high skill’ movements involved that it is 100% accessible – the volume of work (8k running!!!) in this event requires a strong & well-conditioned foundation. If you want to do it, and enjoy doing it, make sure you put the ground work in leading up to the event.

  • You probably will be slower than you think, especially on your first event.

  • A partner event seems like a lot more fun than a solo venture….. That’s just personal preference but if you are doing a Hyrox for the first time, a partner event might be worth considering – sharing the work at the stations allows for periods of rest throughout the event and also means you can recruit additional help on some of your weaker stations.

  • Your ability to do the prescribed weights on the sled push & pull and wall balls is a good way to determine whether you should do the open or pro category.

  • Be realistic with your goals – if you want to get to a point where you can tackle these challenges with effort and confidence but not necessarily aiming to break records, qualify for worlds or become ‘elite’ – focus on your consistency in your training, while incorporating one to two running sessions weekly. 

  • Programming at Wolfhound Fitness is well rounded and will absolutely prepare you adequately for Hyrox – adding in the Sunday Hyrox/running session to your weekly routine will help a lot, while choosing the running option during a cardio/MetCon class will provide the additional conditioning and running volume recommended to prepare.

  • If you are a strong, consistent, well-conditioned athlete who runs regularly and wants to be competitive at Hyrox, then it’s worth speaking to us/your coaches directly – there may be an opportunity to fine tune your training or focus on a more specific approach – strengthen your weakness, while strengthen your strengths.   

    'Talk to Joe' - email joe@wolfhoundfitness.ie for information on high performance coaching.

    Respect the Goal

    Hyrox is an accessible event, but it is by no walk in the park. Put a plan in place to help you prepare adequately – a balanced approach where we are aiming to complete and really enjoy the challenge.

    Potential for a more specific approach for those who are already at a relatively high level in your strength & conditioning journey and want to be competitive in the sport of Hyrox.

  • We are looking forward to 2025 - supporting you all with your health & fitness goals - & we are hoping to welcome lots of new faces to the Wolfhound this year!

    Our upcoming beginners course is currently full but if you want to make a start with Wolfhound Fitness - simply get in touch with us by emailing info@wolfhoundfitness.ie & see if we are the right fit for you & your goals. 

    ps, If you like to train hard, train consistently, meet great people & enjoy good coffee - we are probably the right fit for you! 

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