High Achievers & Athletes,

You might have heard the buzz lately. 

HYROX – a growing fitness competition that is designed to test overall athletic ability through a combination of running and functional fitness stations. 

As HYROX instructors @ Mix.Brussels, we got the itch. Ben & I are going to compete at the HYROX Amsterdam in exactly 8 weeks (12/10/2024). 

Now, we definitely took our time and can't be considered as "early adopters". HYROX has been founded already 7 years ago (2017) in Germany and has since expanded globally, with events in Europe, North America, and beyond. The sport has gained popularity due to its accessibility, standardized format (meaning you can expect the outcome as the race is always the same), and the level of fitness required. 

So let's dive into the nerdy greedy, shall we? 

WHAT IS HYROX?

HYROX is more than just a workout – it’s a race, a challenge, and a test of your overall fitness. It combines running with 8 functional movements in an indoor competition format that’s designed to test your fitness skills & attributes. Think of it as a fusion of endurance, speed, strength, and mental grit - all packed into one event.

The race consists of a standardized format that includes eight functional fitness stations, each separated by a 1-kilometer run.

The event is structured as follows:

• 1 km run

• 1000m SkiErg

• 1 km run

• 50m Sled Push (with weights that vary depending on the division)

• 1 km run

• 50m Sled Pull (with weights that vary depending on the division)

• 1 km run

• 80m Burpee Broad Jumps

• 1 km run

• 1000m Row

• 1 km run

• 200m Farmer's Carry (with kettlebells)

• 1 km run

• 100m Sandbag Lunges

• 1 km run

• 75/100 Wall Balls

The race is also split through different divisions:

Men's and Women's Open: The standard division, accessible to most participants.

Men's and Women's Pro: A more challenging division with heavier weights and overall higher demand. 

Doubles: Teams of two (same-sex or mixed), where partners share the workload, alternating exercises or splitting them (the category Ben & I will compete in)

Team Relay: Teams of four, with each member completing two of the eight functional exercises and the associated runs.

WHY THIS EVENT? 

Already 7 months got by since we attempted to run across Belgium (from Knokke to Signal De Botrange in the Ardennes) with an ultra-distance run of 250km. 

The months that followed has been heavily focused on building our fitness foundation back up (through a lot of strength, mobility and overall resistance training work) and on building KINAVIA. We decided to not put any massive fitness endeavor on our calendar in order to stay true to our priorities and deliberately work on what currently matter. 

During those months, Mix Brussels decided to officially be an HYROX affiliate, organise an indoor event and to offer some tickets (to selected members and the staff team) for an official competition. 

As we take our coaching (and our fitness) very seriously, we decided it was time to show up and to train for it. 

With this 8 weeks time frame, it allows us to continue to train like we always train (hitting our 4-5 resistance hard) but to refine our fitness with 8 key workouts to prep as best as we can for the event coming up and to learn this new style of training. 

It's currently not our goal to perform at a high level but rather to test our fitness with this new growing competition and to try something new. 

HOW TO TACKLE AN HYROX AND IS IT FOR EVERYONE?

This is the question we often get asked, and the answer is nuanced. HYROX is designed to be challenging, no doubt. It’s tough but also scalable, meaning that whether you’re a seasoned athlete or just starting your fitness journey, there’s a place for you in the HYROX community. What we love about the race is how it brings together different aspects of fitness into one cohesive challenge – it’s about being a well-rounded, strong, & persistent athlete. It also heavily emphasis on having a robust aerobic capacity (that we've maintained since January) and endurance foundation. 

At KINAVIA, we are going to approach this HYROX competition with a blend of serious training and a spirit of camaraderie. Our training are designed to build the strength, endurance, and mental toughness needed to tackle the race head-on. But we also focus on making sure everyone is having fun and feels supported in their journey, no matter their starting point.

If you are currently curious about riding this new fitness wave with us, feel free to book a call and start working with us. 

A SPECIAL SURPRISE FOR YOU

For those of you feeling intrigued or ready to take the plunge, we’ve got something exciting in store. Stay tuned – early next week, we’ll be dropping a special surprise in your inboxes to help you get started with HYROX training, whether you’re aiming to compete or just looking to level up your fitness.

So, are you ready to take on the challenge? Whether you're a fitness fanatic or just curious about what HYROX is all about, we’re here to support you every step of the way. Keep an eye on your inbox and join us on this exciting journey!

It's time to ELEVATE THE STANDARDS, together!

Passionately, 

Max & Ben 

Written by Maxime Dupont 

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