'Is that the competition where guys have no shirts on?' How Hyrox became the fitness craze taking over gyms

Friday, 10 July 2026

Hyrox was founded in Germany in 2017 by Olympic hockey player Moritz Fürste and businessman Christian Toetzke, combining endurance races with functional fitness competitions.

Auckland's first Hyrox event in 2025 attracted about 6000 competitors, jumping to more than 10,000 participants the following year.

The fitness competition business is believed to have generated an estimated US$130 million in revenue last year, with numbers climbing rapidly.

When Ken Ogg walked into the Auckland Showgrounds for New Zealand's second-ever Hyrox event earlier this year, he knew he was in for a challenge. What he didn't expect was the atmosphere.

'Everyone was buzzing. The crowd was cheering us on and it felt incredible to be part of something so big,' he says.

Ogg and a group of friends had spent weeks training for the fitness race. Just over 80 minutes later, he crossed the finish line exhausted, exhilarated and already planning his next race.

'I'm 100% keen to do another one,' he says.

Ogg is one of hundreds of thousands of people around the world who have caught the Hyrox bug, turning the once-niche fitness competition into one of the fastest-growing sporting phenomena on the planet.

What is Hyrox?

Let’s start with the basics. Hyrox was founded in Germany in 2017 by Olympic hockey player Moritz Fürste and businessman Christian Toetzke, combining endurance racing with functional fitness.

Competitors complete eight workout stations, each separated by a 1km run: SkiErg, sled push, sled pull, burpee broad jumps, rowing, farmer's carry, sandbag lunges and wall balls. They can race individually, in doubles or as part of a four-person relay.

Designed so almost anyone can complete it at their own pace, that accessibility has fuelled its explosive growth.

The inaugural event in Hamburg attracted just 650 competitors. Last year, around 650,000 people took part worldwide.

Auckland's event has also grown quickly, increasing from 6000 competitors in 2025 to more than 10,000 this year.

The races are staged inside huge exhibition halls with pumping music and roaring crowds before the highlights are blasted across social media.

Think modern-day gladiator games - just with fewer lions and a much lower chance of death.

Why has Hyrox become so popular?

The $64,000 question – or, in this case, the estimated US$130 million question. That’s how much the business is believed to have brought in last year, and that’s climbing fast.

Dr Nigel Harris is Professor of Exercise for Health at Auckland University of Technology’s Human Potential Research Institute and believes its easy-to-follow format is one of the biggest reasons for its success.

'It's created a community, it's clear and it's consistent. The competitive elements mean people can measure themselves against each other, and that's a real drawcard.'

He says the equipment and work-outs are simple and “very repeatable”.

Dr Adam Storey from the School of Sport & Recreation at AUT agrees: “You don't need a high level of technical skill to do Hyrox. Unlike CrossFit, you don't need advanced gymnastics or Olympic lifting skills. That makes it much more accessible.'

He describes Hyrox as 'hybrid fitness' that combines strength and endurance.

Storey, who is member of the Hyrox Sports Science Advisory Council and has competed himself, says the social media component is also driving interest, although it can be a double-edged sword.

“Sometimes the social media can be a little bit intimidating. People who aren’t really familiar with Hyrox will often say to me, 'Oh, is that the competition when guys have no shirts on?’ Yes, there are some people that are absolute hardcore competitors, without a doubt, but I'd say that they are the probably the minority.”

Storey says the relay and doubles categories are a good way for newcomers to test the waters.

Les Mills is the latest to burpee jump on board

Gyms around the country have embraced Hyrox, with dozens signing up as affiliates.

Les Mills is the latest to partner with Hyrox across its 12 clubs nationwide with the recently launched Ceremony Hyrox programme.

CEO Brett Sutton says Hyrox 'fits perfectly into what we do'.

'We look at member demand and participation data. You cannot ignore that this has taken off.'

Sutton says the classes are designed for 'everyday athletes' as much as seasoned competitors, and encourages anyone feeling daunted to give it a try.

'Once you break through that wall of intimidation, you quickly realise there are a whole lot of people there who look just like you. You can't help but feed off that community energy.

'Yes, there are different fitness levels, but everyone is doing it at their own pace and to their own ability, knowing they'll be a little bit better tomorrow than they are today.'

But is it just a fad though?

While some fitness crazes like Jazzercise and Tae Bo come and go, and others have plateaued, how will Hyrox stay relevant and could it eventually become repetitive? Harris says there's always that risk, but believes the format will evolve.

“You always get a honeymoon effect in any exercise. It starts as a bit of a craze, but we've seen things like that kick on. I mean, CrossFit evolved really rapidly and started giving a lot more options.

“I would expect Hyrox will start to morph and provide that variety or escalation on levels.”

The future?

The ambitions are lofty. Organisers hope Hyrox will feature at the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games.

The goal is to make it “the world's healthiest sport”, says Storey. “Given the fact that it's got such a strong health focus that's more far-reaching than just competition and sport.”

It’s also hoped schools will adopt Hyrox alongside traditional sports like rugby and cricket.

Storey believes adding it to a curriculum would be “absolutely amazing”.

So, which station breaks people?

Storey doesn’t hesitate: “The wall balls - the last station.”

This is where participants squat while holding a medicine ball and stand up while throwing it at a target 100 times.

“I think that's probably going to be a universal response for a lot of people,” says Storey.

“It is the make or break for a lot of people's souls.”