What is HYROX? The World Series of Fitness Racing

HYROX is a standardized indoor fitness competition that combines 8 kilometers of running with 8 functional workout stations. Founded in 2017 by Olympic field hockey champion Moritz Fürste and Christian Toetzke, it was first held in Hamburg, Germany in 2018 and has since exploded into a global phenomenon.

The race format is always the same: a 1km run followed by a functional exercise station, repeated eight times. This consistency is what makes HYROX so compelling for athletes — they can benchmark their performance globally, compare results across events, and train with a clear, unchanging goal.

For gym owners, this standardized format is pure gold. Your members know exactly what they're training for, your coaches can build precise programming, and the community element drives retention like nothing else. If you've already been following HYROX training protocols, you know the format inside and out — and your gym is likely already equipped to start running classes. Check out our complete guide to conquering HYROX for a deep dive into race strategy and training methodology.

The 8 HYROX Race Stations

The average HYROX finisher time is around 1.5 hours. Divisions include Open (Men/Women), Pro (heavier weights), Doubles, Pro Doubles, and Relay (teams of 4). For detailed workout plans and programming ideas, see our Ultimate Guide to HYROX Training Plans & Workouts.

Why Your Gym Should Become a HYROX Affiliate

If you were around for the early CrossFit boom between 2011 and 2014, the trajectory of HYROX will feel familiar. Affiliated gyms grew from 2,500 in early 2024 to over 5,000 by year's end — a doubling in just eight months. By 2026, that number has surged past 9,000. The difference? HYROX has lower technical barriers, broader appeal, and a race format that draws in people who would never walk into a CrossFit class.

Here's what affiliation actually gets you as a gym owner:

One gym owner put it perfectly: HYROX didn't pull people away from his CrossFit program — it brought new people in. Athletes who would never have walked into a CrossFit class joined specifically for HYROX, built confidence, and eventually transitioned into other programs. It's become a smart onboarding tool with lower skill barriers and clear structure.

For more on marketing your gym effectively once you're affiliated, check out Digital Media Ninja's complete gym marketing playbook — it covers everything from local SEO to social media strategy specifically for fitness businesses.

HYROX Training Club vs. Performance Center

HYROX offers two tiers of gym affiliation. The Training Club is designed for any gym — from boutique studios to large chains. The Performance Center is the premium tier built for facilities that want to replicate race-day conditions.

How to Become a HYROX Affiliate Gym: Step-by-Step

Do you need to own a gym? Not necessarily. Bootcamps, PT studios, and other fitness facilities can all become affiliates — you just need a main operating site and an online presence (website or social media) for community contact purposes.

Essential HYROX Equipment for Your Gym

For HYROX Training Clubs, there are no strict equipment mandates. But having the right gear means your athletes train on what they'll race on — and that's a massive competitive advantage. CENTR is the official HYROX equipment provider, and Concept2 supplies the SkiErg and RowErg used at all events.

Here's the station-by-station equipment breakdown for outfitting your gym:

Don't have everything yet? That's fine. As a Training Club, you're not required to have all official equipment. Substitute where needed — dumbbells for kettlebells, a regular rower for the Concept2, or outdoor running for a treadmill. The priority is getting athletes moving through race-specific patterns. As your HYROX community grows, reinvest in official gear. For comprehensive training methodologies that maximize whatever equipment you have, check out our HYROX training plans and workouts guide.

HYROX Class Programming & Ideas

Programming HYROX classes doesn't mean running a full race simulation every session. The HYROX365 Performance Hub provides four weekly training focal points designed to systematically build race fitness. Here's how smart gyms are structuring their HYROX programming:

For more detailed programming, pacing strategies, and periodization plans, dive into our complete HYROX training plans and get race-ready guide. And if you're in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, our DFW HYROX gym directory showcases what top local affiliates are doing with their programming.

HYROX Affiliation ROI Calculator

The math on HYROX affiliation is straightforward — but seeing it with your own numbers makes the business case undeniable. Adjust the inputs below:

Even conservatively — 2 classes per week with 8 athletes each at $20/class — you're looking at $1,280/month in additional revenue against a $130 cost. Many gyms run classes of 20-40 people, making the return on investment enormous. For strategies on driving even more members to your HYROX classes through digital marketing, explore Digital Media Ninja's SEO for Gyms guide.

CrossFit Gyms: Adding HYROX Affiliation

If you're already running a CrossFit affiliate, adding HYROX is one of the highest-ROI decisions you can make right now.

The equipment overlap is massive — rowers, SkiErgs, kettlebells, wall balls, and sleds are already in most CrossFit boxes. The key differences are programming focus and athlete profile.

HYROX attracts a different type of athlete. Many are drawn to the standardized format, the lack of complex barbell movements, and the approachable entry point.

They want structured race training without learning Olympic lifts. Several gym owners report that HYROX became an "onboarding funnel" — athletes join for HYROX, build confidence, and eventually transition into CrossFit classes.

You don't need to choose one or the other. Collaborative affiliation works — add HYROX-specific class times alongside your CrossFit programming.

One gym owner noted he was able to run HYROX classes of 40+ people since the equipment demands are lower and the movement complexity is reduced.

Don't rush to buy equipment. If you don't have a SkiErg, substitute with a calorie equivalent on a bike or rower.

Use dumbbells for farmers carries if you don't have competition kettlebells. 

The important thing is getting your community training the race format and patterns. Upgrade to official CENTR gear as your HYROX revenue grows.

Frequently Asked Questions