HYROX has exploded in popularity over the last few years — and for good reason. It’s fun, measurable, and gives everyday athletes a chance to test themselves in a structured, repeatable format. The mix of running, sled pushes, wall balls, and rowing makes for an incredible challenge of endurance and mental toughness.
It’s “Hybrid” training, which means that you’re not specialising in one area (e.g. strength, endurance). Rather, you’re getting fit across multiple areas that allows you to run, jump, squat, push, pull etc. This makes sense now, but 20 years ago this was a more novel concept… Fitness was generally about doing one thing. People who lifted weights were trying to get bigger and stronger. People who ran were trying to improve their endurance. Then there was the pilates, yogas of the world who have their own thing going on.
Then came CrossFit, which challenged all of these ideas and dared to bring all elements of fitness into a training program… Ala Hybrid training. Yes, CrossFit is the original Hybrid training, and laid the groundwork for what HYROX would later become.
CrossFit and HYROX share more in common, but have a few key differences which make them unique.
The Similarities
1. Both are measurable.
You can track performance, progress, and improvement over time — whether it’s a faster “Fran” or a quicker HYROX race time. You can then say “I’m a fitter version of my previous self.”
2. Both use functional movements.
They’re built around movements that reflect real life — pushing, pulling, squatting, running, lifting, carrying.
3. Both train the entire body.
Every workout engages multiple joints, muscle groups, and energy systems — testing both strength and endurance.
The Differences
Despite the similarities, the differences are what really define each discipline.
1. HYROX is an event. CrossFit is a methodology.
HYROX is a competition — a single, structured format to train for. CrossFit is a training philosophy that develops general physical preparedness for life and any sport.
2. HYROX is specialised. CrossFit is broad.
HYROX focuses on endurance, pacing, and muscular stamina. CrossFit develops all ten general physical skills — strength, speed, coordination, agility, balance, accuracy, flexibility, power, endurance, and stamina. A CrossFitter can jump into a HYROX, a triathlon, or a mountain hike and perform well. HYROX athletes are optimised for their specific event.
3. CrossFit incorporates more movement variety.
HYROX revolves around running and basic functional movements. CrossFit includes gymnastics, Olympic lifting, monostructural cardio, odd objects, and skill work — far more varied and complete.
4. CrossFit trains multiple time domains.
HYROX is a long, single effort. CrossFit includes workouts that last anywhere from 2 to 40 minutes — training the short, medium, and long systems to create well-rounded fitness.
CrossFit: The Methodology Behind It All
CrossFit is more than workouts — it’s a methodology honed over more than 25 years. It’s continually refined and tested in thousands of affiliates worldwide, shaping not just how we train, but how we eat, recover, and live.
It’s built on data, experimentation, and results — evolving into a complete system of training, nutrition, and lifestyle designed to create the fittest, healthiest, and most resilient humans possible.
CrossFit is a practice — one that blends intensity, functional movement, and measurable results into a lifelong pursuit of health.
HYROX, on the other hand, is an event. Like a triathlon or marathon, it’s an incredible goal to train for, but not a complete training system on its own. It’s the testing ground, not the training philosophy.
At FitLab, we love HYROX.
It’s a fantastic benchmark and a powerful motivator — it’s also a great way to bring people together and celebrate fitness.
If you’re looking at doing HYROX, we recommend continuing to do CrossFit to ensure you stay strong across all areas, then add in HYROX specialty sessions via our Hybrid Engine program that focus on the key HYROX movements and running.
To compare the two is hard, as one is a training methodology and one is an event. Though if you had to compare them, you can easily say that HYROX is a version of CrossFit, but the depths of CrossFit go far beyond HYROX.
Coach Steve