‘I spent £2,000 on one event’. Why Gen Z is obsessed with Hyrox

Hyrox is a fitness craze that shows no signs of dying out; This year, 1.3 million people are expected to compete at an event somewhere in the world.

Divided between running and fitness exercises, the competition has proven particularly popular among young millennials and Generation Z, those in their twenties and early forties.

Its rapidly increasing popularity is attributed to social media.

Trendy looks are often a non-negotiable for competitors; many choose to compete on top fitness brands, matching their outfits with their team members.

Allana Falconer, who works in sustainability and started competing in 2023, says she “fell in love” with it.

He competed in 20 different races in six countries and 12 different cities.

“All my holidays revolve around Hyrox or I incorporate events into the holidays,” he said he tells the BBC World Service.

The 29-year-old says the most he ever spent was £2,000 when he traveled to Chicago for the World Championships last year.

“For competitions abroad I normally spend around £400 per trip for two nights accommodation and travel, and £120 for tickets,” he adds.

He says he also needs a lot of fitness equipment because he competes a lot, adding: “I burn a lot of shoes.”

Evgenia Koroleva, founder of gym ONE LDN, says that “the costs can be absolutely astronomical” for anyone who takes fitness competitions seriously.

He estimates that an athlete traveling to take part in a Hyrox competition will spend “between £500 and £1,000” over a weekend, with around £120 on the ticket alone.

“Hyrox has created this addiction for people who do this because they’ve never actually entered a race. When they do their first race they then sign up for another race and because the course is the same it creates this level of competition with yourself,” he adds.

The cost to participate is higher than the marathon, and some people have criticized this. “It’s very difficult for me to travel abroad and run around a little bit and get out of breath,” said a former Reddit participant.

Personal trainer and parkfit owner Fran Sirl, who teaches outdoor fitness classes in Richmond Park, says these types of workouts can seem intimidating and says she reminds her clients that you don’t need special kit or equipment to stay fit.

“I take groups to the park. Sometimes we start with a walk, then add lunges and push-ups on the bench.

“Exercise doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. The key is to find something that makes you want to go back and do it again, whether it’s a high-intensity workout or just a walk.”

Most athletes interviewed by the BBC felt Hyrox’s prices were fair due to the cost of hiring large event venues, specialized equipment and judging panels.

Evgenia says people’s willingness to pay so much reflects a wider “cultural shift” in how much people in their 20s and 30s are spending on exercise.

“Exercise is non-negotiable and part of their identity,” she adds.

Spending money on fitness is a priority for those born between 1997 and 2012 (Generation Z). exercise app Strava.

The survey shows a third plan to spend more on fitness this year, and almost two-thirds say they would rather spend money on new gym clothes than a date.

“Mara-cations” (marathon holidays) and Hyrox holidays are now so popular that some travel companies offer special trips abroad for competitions.

Competitions at Hyrox in the UK often sell out quickly, so many who want to take part travel further afield.

Hyrox, which hosted its first competition in 2021, has an almost 50/50 gender split.

The race involves doing eight one-kilometer runs, broken up by exercises such as burpee broad jump, sled pulling and rowing.

Participants can compete on their own or with a partner, in a mixed or same-gender team.

Senior academic at Loughborough University, specializing in physical activity and mental health, Dr. Florence Kinnafick says different disciplines can mean competition becomes “addictive”.

“The emphasis on competition is not appealing to everyone,” he says.

Kinnafick also warns of the risk of overtraining if people become “obsessed” with improving their times.

But when it comes to drills, he says that although it is a difficult event, there is nothing “particularly technical” that would make it safe for newcomers.

Jorell Hill, who has competed in 10 races so far, says he “definitely caught the bug.”

“I got my first job [Hyrox] December 2024 and since then I haven’t gone on a single foreign holiday other than a half marathon, marathon or Hyrox.”

The 27-year-old, who attributes his training to his work as a firefighter, says his life “used to be about going out, seeing friends, going to the bar and drinking too much” but now almost all his holidays include “fitness retreats and competitions”.

She has traveled to “six or seven different countries for competitions” and hopes to compete in America and elsewhere this year.

Jorell, who moved to London about a year ago, has made most of her friends through fitness.

“When I go out, instead of spending money on clothes, I buy new sports equipment,” he says.