So you have decided to do one. Good. The hardest part is already done.
Signing up for Hyrox is straightforward, but there are a few things worth knowing before you hand over your entry fee. The category system catches people out more than anything else, and picking the right one makes a real difference to how your race day goes.
Where to register
Everything goes through the official Hyrox website at hyrox.com. Find an event, pick your category, pay the entry fee. You will get a confirmation email and your race number closer to the date.
Entry typically costs between 80 and 120 pounds depending on the event and how far in advance you book. Events in larger cities tend to sell out several months ahead, so if you have a specific race in mind, do not leave it too long.
Choosing the right category
This is the bit most first-timers overlook. Hyrox offers several formats, and the one you enter affects the weights you will be lifting and the structure of your race.
Open is the standard category and where most beginners race. Standard weights, mixed age groups, open to anyone. If you are unsure, enter this one.
Pro uses significantly heavier weights and is intended for experienced, competitive athletes. Not for a first race.
Doubles means you complete the race with a partner, alternating stations between you. It is a popular choice for people who want the full race day experience before committing to a solo effort. You still cover the full 8km of running, but split the station volume.
Relay is a team of four, with each athlete completing two stations. It is the most accessible format and a good way to experience a Hyrox event for the first time if the idea of doing the whole thing solo feels daunting.
Within Open, you will also select your age group. Categories run from 16 to 70 and over, in bands, and your result sits on the leaderboard within your group. You also select male, female, or mixed for Doubles.
Open category weights
| Station | Women | Men |
| Sled push | 102 kg | 152 kg |
| Sled pull | 78 kg | 103 kg |
| Farmers carry | 2 x 16 kg | 2 x 24 kg |
| Sandbag lunges | 10 kg | 20 kg |
| Wall balls | 4 kg / 9 ft target | 6 kg / 10 ft target |
What happens on race day
Hyrox events are held in large indoor venues, usually exhibition centres or arenas. You will arrive, collect your race chip from registration, and have time to warm up before your wave is called.
Races run in waves throughout the day, with groups setting off every few minutes. This means there is no need for an early morning start unless you specifically choose an early wave. The venue is usually busy by mid-morning and the atmosphere builds through the day.
The course is set out in a loop, with the running track forming the outside perimeter and the eight stations positioned around the inner floor. There is usually commentary, music, and enough noise that the first kilometre passes faster than expected.
You will be timed from the moment you cross the start line. Your chip records your split at each station, so you can see afterwards exactly where you gained or lost time.
A few practical things worth knowing
- Wear a GPS watch or set up your phone to track the race, but do not rely on it for pacing. The kilometre markers in the venue are clear enough.
- Kit is entirely up to you. Most people wear standard gym or running gear. There is no required equipment beyond your race chip.
- Bring water but you will not need to carry it during the race. There are water stations on the course.
- Arrive at least 45 minutes before your wave. Registration queues and warm-up time eat into that faster than you expect.
- Your result goes onto the global Hyrox leaderboard automatically. You will be able to look it up the same day.
One last thing
A lot of first-timers spend weeks worrying about whether they are fit enough. The format is designed to be completed, not just survived by elite athletes. If you have put in some training, turned up, and followed a sensible race plan, you will get to the finish line.
That is really what the first one is for.
Ready to start preparing? Check out the 8-week beginner training plan, or read our complete guide to the 8 stations to know exactly what is coming.