HYROX vs Crossfit – What’s the difference?

One of the fastest growing functional fitness competitions in the world. HYROX has found a dedicated following in Europe while growing steadily in the United States. Attracting the attention of many Crossfit athletes. All wondering what is HYROX and what’s the difference between HYROX vs Crossfit. 

With a brief overview of the HYROX movements. Many people feel that the two directly translate to each other. And while the fundamentals are the same. I can assure you there are some very big differences between the two sports. And that success in one will not necessarily translate to success in the other.

Let’s get to it!

Key Takeaways:

• In HYROX, competition workouts, weights, and distances are known in advance, allowing for specific training, while Crossfit events are typically unknown until closer to the competition.
• Crossfit involves complex Olympic movements with high reps and weights, requiring extended training, whereas HYROX movements are straightforward and can be practiced at home with lower costs.
• High-level Crossfit includes complex gymnastics movements not needed for HYROX.
• HYROX competitions involve a single event with the best overall time winning, whereas Crossfit competitions have multiple events, and the winner is determined by points.
• Running is a crucial aspect of HYROX, with consistent runners often winning, making it a significant difference from Crossfit.
• HYROX emphasizes long, sustained efforts with a focus on running, while Crossfit focuses on skill-based, shorter workouts with strength-based elements.

What’s the difference Between HYROX vs Crossfit?

 

HYROX competition workouts, weights, and distances. 

Start
1km Run
1,000 Meter SkiErg
1km Run
2x 25 Meter Sled Push – 165lb / 275lb / 385lb
1km Run
2x 25 Meter Sled Pull – 110lb / 165lb / 275lb
1km Run
80 Meter Burpee Broad Jump
1km Run
200 Meter Kettle Bell Farmers Carry – 2x16kg / 2x24kg / 2x32kg
1km Run
100 Meter Sand Bag Lunges – 22lb / 45lb / 66lb
1km Run
100 Wall Balls – 10lbs / 1lbs / 10lbs
Finish

 

 

Breaking down the differences:

 

Competition Structure: HYROX vs. Crossfit

In HYROX competitions you always know the workout in advance. Allowing you train specifically for these events. At Crossfit competitions you don’t typically know the events until a certain time frame out. And they are always changing. Meaning you must be constantly varied in your training.

 

Training Focus: Movements and Techniques

Crossfit involves complex olympic movements at extremely high reps and weights. These lifts can take years to learn. The HYROX movements are very straightforward to learn and practice at home. At a much lower cost than a typical Crossfit gym.

 

Gymnastics and Skill Requirements

High level Crossfit involves more complex gymnastics movements like handstand walks and muscle ups. Again, this is not something you will need to learn for HYROX.

 

Scoring and Event Format

At HYROX events you only compete in one event. With the best overall time winning. At Crossfit competitions you will compete in multiple events. And the person with the most points (highest average finish) over the multiple events winning. This makes for a very different type of competition and training.

 

Emphasis on Running in HYROX

HYROX events always feature a 8k of total running. Making it the most important specialty for an athlete to have. At a high level, the most consistent runner typically wins these events. And this tends to be the biggest difference between Crossfit athletes and people that train more specifically for HYROX.

 

Conclusion

While these two sports may seem very similar on the surface. The two require very different forms of training. HYROX is focused on a long sustained effort of an hour + with running as a major focus. Crossfit on the other hand is very skill focused with most workouts being less than 20 minutes and strength based events that you won’t see at HYROX. 

I believe HYROX opens up competitive functional fitness for a whole new group of people. Runners that love Crossfit style workouts will especially find themselves drawn to this new sport.

 

Let us know your thoughts on HYROX vs Crossfit in the comments below!