Highrocks: How the fitness game became the latest viral craze

Established in 2017 primarily as an indoor discipline, Athletes participate in eight stages, each a one kilometer run, followed by a fitness exercise.

Competitors are made to complete 1 km on standing ski machine, sled push 50 m, sled pull 50 m, burpee jump 80 m, indoor rowing 1 km, kettlebell 200 m, 100 m lunges carrying sandbags and finally 100 throws and catches. Medicine ball from a wall.

World Championships are held every year, with competitors competing in singles and doubles races. A new relay event based on nationality was unveiled at the 2024 World Cup in France.

The sport is closely related to CrossFit, but has different, simpler exercises and prioritizes endurance over raw strength.

The popularity of Hyrox is primarily based on two things: accessibility, and visibility. It’s designed with the intention of going viral, whether it’s giving competitors a patch instead of a medal to wear on their gym bag, or promoting “Training Club Tuesdays,” letting people tag gyms that offer classes. Are.

“It’s challenging and it’s never going to be easy, but it’s also accessible,” three-time world champion Lauren Weeks tells BBC Sport. “There’s a sense of pride that you can bring someone off the street and train them for a few months so they can accomplish it.

“They treat every single athlete as if they’re a professional athlete. If you go to an amateur event, they have a publicized person, they have a walk-in tunnel. There’s always a There is a DJ who plays upbeat music.

“You have a timing chip and you know the exact breakdown of what you’re doing. They do a lot of things correctly.”