HYROX: the “new sport” that is already looking towards 2032

HYROX has become one of the most talked-about sporting phenomena of the moment: an indoor fitness racing event with a fixed format (8 km + 8 stations) that already speaks openly of an ambitious goal: to reach the Olympic program in 2032.

What is HYROX and why is it getting so big?

If you've ever seen videos of people running inside a gym and alternating between strength stations (push and pull, wall balls, skierg or rowing) with a great atmosphere, it was probably HYROX.

It was born in 2017 and, since then, it has grown like a wave: events in dozens of countries and a very broad participant profile, from people who come from the gym to popular runners who want "something more" than a 10K race bib.

Part of the “click” lies in two simple ideas. First, the format is always the sameSo you can compare your times between cities and seasons. Second, the experience is very much like a big event: indoor venue, atmosphere, music, and plenty of shared suffering.

In Spain, it has also taken off for an obvious reason: the combination of community and accessibility. You can find everyone from complete beginners to people who are genuinely aiming for fast times, without the typical "elite only" filter.

The HYROX format: 8 km running and 8 stations (always the same)

Here's the core. In HYROX, each event follows the same order: before each season, play 1km runAnd so on, eight times, until completing 8 km and 8 stations.

The official stations

1. 1000 m Ski Erg (simulates cross-country skiing)
2. 50 m Sled Push (pushing a sled with weight)
3. 50 m Sled Pull (sled pull with rope)
4. 80 m Burpee Broad Jumps (burpees with long jump)
5. 1000 m Row (rowing)
6. 200 m Farmers Carry (farmer's carry with kettlebells)
7. 100 m Sandbag Lunges (strides with a sack)
8. 100 Wall Balls (squat + target throw)

If you start too fast, you pay the price. If you hold back, the race will consume you. And if you misjudge your pace at each station, the next kilometer will feel endless.

Categories: from beginners to very strong people

HYROX is structured so that almost anyone can fit in, with four main categories:

• Open (individual)
• Pro (individual with more workload)
• Double (the work is shared with a colleague)
• Relays (teams)

This results in a mix of very different types of participants: those who just want to "finish," those who are aiming for a personal best, and those who take it as a serious competition. In some countries and races, the absence of qualifying rounds and the mass participation have been highlighted as key factors in the growth.

All the info here https://hyrox.es/the-fitness-race/ 

The “serious” leap: science, data, and credibility

HYROX's latest big move goes right to the point that separates a passing boom from a sport with a long history: standardizing and backing it up with science.

According to reports, a HYROX Science Advisory Council (SAC) and the first one has been launched Science of HYROX Reportwith the idea of ​​turning competition into data, improving safety and organizing the athlete's development.

The council includes profiles from universities such as Manchester Metropolitan University, ETH Zurich and Loughborough University, and mentions five research projects, an annual conference and a report each year.

The key phrase here leaves Dr. Adam StoreyScientific credibility is what allows knowledge to accumulate and deepen over time. In other words, if you want a sport to become established, you need measurement, evidence, and continuous learning, not just hype.

What's World Triathlon doing here?

Here's what directly connects with World Triathlon (the international federation): at its 2025 Congress, it approved two new disciplines under its umbrella: Fitness Racing y Swimrun. In the official note, Fitness Racing is described as the multi-sport format developed and promoted by HYROX.

This doesn't automatically make HYROX an Olympic sport, but it is a significant step. When an international federation embraces an emerging discipline, there is usually an intention to regulate it (rules, competitive structure, development, and safety) and, over time, explore how it fits within the global ecosystem.

The context: the strength boom and “hybrid training”

HYROX arrives at the perfect time: the strength training It is experiencing a surge in popularity and more and more athletes are systematically combining running with gym work.

Furthermore, brands are getting fully involved. For example, HYROX announced an agreement with Lucid Motors for the 2025/26 season, a clear sign that sport is already considered a powerful showcase.

In terms of figures, it's worth clarifying: some sources mention more than 550.000 participants by 2025 and a projection of 1,3 million for the following season; others measure it by season (for example, 2024/25) and give slightly different figures. The important thing is the trend: very rapid growth and international expansion.

Can HYROX be an Olympic sport in 2032?

The idea exists, but it needs to be called by its name: It's an ambitionThis is not an announcement from the IOC. The talk is of "pushing" towards Olympic inclusion in 2032 by relying on standardization, scientific credibility, and a federative structure.

For a triathlon reader, the practical reading is clear: HYROX is trying to move from a “massive event with fitness aesthetics” to a “discipline with rules, research and competitive course”.

And if that catches on, it wouldn't be surprising to see more triathletes (especially in the preseason) getting into this format as a strength-endurance stimulus... but with common sense, because the risk of overdoing it with load + race exists.