Duelling CrossFit and Hyrox fitness competitions draw thousands over weekend

Hyrox vs CrossFit: A Look at New Zealand’s Fitness Frenzy

New Zealand is experiencing a surge in fitness fervor, with two popular disciplines, Hyrox and CrossFit, leading the charge.

Last weekend, thousands of Kiwis gathered across the country for a showdown of strength, endurance, and unwavering determination. Hyrox, a relatively new fitness phenomenon, made a bold debut in Auckland, drawing over 6,000 athletes who embraced the challenge of its grueling full-body test. With its accessible format and social media-kind challenges, Hyrox quickly captivated fitness enthusiasts seeking a fresh and engaging workout experience.

Hyrox is a unique blend of cardiovascular bursts and strength-building exercises, designed to push participants to their limits. Participants alternate between tackling intense exercises like 1 kilometer on a cross-country ski machine, sled pushes and pulls, burpee broad jumps, rowing sprints, farmer’s carries, lunges with sandbags, and wall ball throws. Each station is interspersed with a kilometer run, offering a brief respite before the next challenge.

While Hyrox specializes in its signature format, CrossFit continues to enthrall with its broader scope. Held in selwyn, the Southern Crown competition attracted nearly 200 athletes from across New Zealand and Australia, showcasing the gym’s diverse range of disciplines. CrossFit encompasses gymnastics,weightlifting,swimming,and cycling,along with its well-known functional movements.

What sets Hyrox apart from CrossFit is its standardized race format.Every Hyrox event presents the same challenges, enabling athletes to track their progress and strive for improvement over time. CrossFit, on the other hand, embraces constantly varied workouts, keeping things fresh and unpredictable.The allure of both Hyrox and CrossFit lies in their ability to challenge individuals in a way that extends beyond conventional fitness regimes. They cater to people of all fitness levels, fostering a strong sense of community and shared accomplishment.This surge in popularity reflects a growing desire among Kiwis to push their boundaries and embrace intense forms of fitness.

Fueling Fitness: Auckland Hosts First-Ever Hyrox Race

Auckland’s Showgrounds pulsated with energy last weekend, transformed into a vibrant hub of fitness enthusiasts eager to conquer Hyrox, Auckland’s inaugural race. This unique competition, blending rigorous strength training exercises with challenging runs, drew over 10,000 participants, ranging from seasoned athletes to those taking their first steps into the competitive fitness scene.

Dexter Buchanan,a Men’s Pro Hyrox athlete,perfectly captured the electrifying atmosphere. “It’s a huge vibe,” he enthused. “Live DJs, everyone pushing themselves, cheering each other on – it’s amazing to see Auckland embrace this event.” Buchanan, whose athletic background spans cricket and rugby league, discovered Hyrox last year, seeking a fresh challenge.”I wanted something to push me, set a goal to work towards. Now, I’m hooked! I think it’s the perfect combination of strength training, gym workouts, and running.”

Buchanan lauded Hyrox’s unique blend of high-energy excitement and performance tracking.”I love that Hyrox events are always pumping, yet they’re also data-driven,” he explained. “Athletes get detailed tracking, allowing them to constantly improve. ” His third-place finish in the Men’s Pro Division underscored the fierce competition amongst the top athletes. “We all finished within 50 seconds of each other,” Buchanan remarked, highlighting the razor-thin margins separating victory.

Hyrox attracted a diverse range of competitors, including Masters CrossFit athlete Karl Gui. His participation marked a significant milestone, especially considering his recent hip replacements in October 2023. “I think [CrossFit] has helped,” Gui shared, reflecting on his recovery. “Before surgery, I was already quiet fit, so the recovery was shorter.” Gui’s determination stemmed from a desire to push his limits and reconnect with the supportive CrossFit community. “It’s been tough,vrey arduous,but I’m doing well. I’m competitive, so competing is fun, and being around friends and enjoying the atmosphere makes it all worthwhile.”

Nineteen-year-old Alice Scott saw Hyrox as an prospect to step outside her comfort zone and build her confidence.“I’m not really used to competing in this kind of thing,” she admitted,embracing the challenge head-on.Scott, who competed in CrossFit Games as a teenager, recognizes the value of the supportive, yet competitive, gym surroundings. “It’s easy to connect with everyone. It’s a competitive space, but it’s also non-judgmental.” Her journey to CrossFit began organically, evolving from her passion for ski racing. “I initially did ski racing, and then needed to stay fit during summer, leading to discovering CrossFit,” she explained.

Hyrox’s unique combination of physical prowess and community spirit resonated deeply with Scott. “I feel like the tough events that you struggle with are more rewarding than the ones that you win,” she shared. “Because, you know, you’ve proven to yourself that you can do certain things, even when it’s incredibly hard.” Scott’s story exemplifies the transformative power of hyrox, pushing individuals beyond their perceived limits while fostering a sense of camaraderie and shared achievement.

Hyrox: A New Zealand Fitness Sensation

auckland’s showgrounds buzzed with energy last weekend as Hyrox, the world’s premier fitness race, made its debut in New Zealand. This unique competition, blending the intensity of strength training with the endurance of running, attracted a diverse group of athletes, from seasoned professionals to eager newcomers.

Dexter Buchanan,a top Men’s Pro Hyrox athlete,encapsulated the event’s electrifying atmosphere. “It’s a huge vibe,” he said. “There are DJs playing live music,everyone’s working super hard and encouraging each other. It’s so cool seeing everyone in Auckland getting amongst it.”

Buchanan, a seasoned athlete with backgrounds in cricket and rugby league, discovered Hyrox last year, seeking a fresh challenge. “I was just looking for something to push me and have a goal, like something to work towards,” he explained. “I’m pretty hooked on it now and I think it’s the combination of the strength training, gym work, and then the running as well.”

The blend of high-energy vibes and performance tracking deeply resonated with Buchanan. “I love the data-driven aspect of it,” he shared.

Hyrox is designed to be inclusive and welcoming to athletes of all levels.

“we feel very connected to this community of people,not just the elite athletes… but it’s more about the wider community of athletes and their abilities,” Linda Fowler,co-founder of Hyrox,stated.

Linda and Pete Fowler, Hyrox’s organizers, emphasized their passion for creating a supportive environment where everyone feels empowered and celebrated.”We see so many people feeling empowered and accomplished as they’re starting to do things they could never do before and never thought was possible,” linda added.“And we’re bringing the wider community of CrossFit and functional fitness athletes together to showcase what people can do.”

They have further extended their entry divisions to include more Masters athletes, making the competition even more accessible.

Pete Fowler explained this move was strategic, “We want to reach out to a wider range of fitness enthusiasts.”

Hyrox’s popularity is a testament to its ability to captivate athletes from all walks of life, offering a unique and rewarding challenge. Its message of inclusivity, empowerment, and athletic excellence resonates deeply, making it a truly global phenomenon.

fueling Fitness: Auckland Welcomes the First-Ever Hyrox Race

Auckland throbbed with energy last weekend as it hosted its first-ever Hyrox race. Over 10,000 participants, ranging from seasoned athletes to enthusiastic newcomers, flocked to the event, eager to conquer the challenging course that seamlessly blends the intensity of CrossFit with the endurance of running.

for 19-year-old CrossFit athlete Alice Scott, Hyrox represented an exciting opportunity to push personal boundaries. “I feel like the tough events that you struggle with are more rewarding than the ones that you would win, because you know, you just proved to yourself that you can do certain things, even if it is indeed hard,” she shared, highlighting the event’s ability to inspire growth and self-finding.

Scott, who competed at the International CrossFit Games as a teenager, embraced the supportive and competitive atmosphere of the CrossFit community. “It’s really easy to get along with everybody. It’s a competitive but non-judgmental environment,” she commented, emphasizing the camaraderie that strengthens the crossfit spirit.

Scott’s journey to CrossFit was a natural progression from her previous passion for ski racing. “Originally I did ski racing, and then I just had to stay fit for ski racing during the summer, and then yeah, I just fell in love with [CrossFit],” she explained, demonstrating how a passion for one sport can frequently enough lead to another fulfilling athletic pursuit.

Adding to the diverse array of participants was Karl Gui, a Masters CrossFit athlete who, having undergone two hip replacements in October 2023, marked a significant milestone in his recovery by competing at the Southern Crown competition. Reflecting on his journey, Gui stated, “I think [CrossFit] has helped. Before I had the surgery, I was already quite fit, so the recovery was shorter.”

Gui’s determination to compete stemmed from a desire to test his limits and reconnect with the supportive CrossFit community. “It’s been very, very arduous… but it’s still going well. I’m quite a competitive person so competing is fun,also just hanging out with your friends and having fun,” he shared,showcasing the mental and social benefits of CrossFit.

Mat Lock, Hyrox Manager for Australia and New Zealand, expressed his enthusiasm for bringing the world series of fitness racing to New Zealand. He highlighted the event’s unique strengths,stating,”I love that Hyrox events are always pumping,but are also data-driven. Athletes are well-tracked, and able to improve on their time.”

CrossFit shares many movements with Hyrox, adding gymnastics, weightlifting, swimming, and cycling to the mix.
Photo: Morgan Gibbons

Get ready Aotearoa,the World Series of Fitness Racing is about to hit your shores! Organizers Pete and Linda Fowler are passionate about building a welcoming space for all fitness enthusiasts,not just elite athletes. “We feel very connected to this community of people, not just the elite athletes… but it’s more about the wider community of athletes and their abilities,” Linda Fowler shared.

the Fowlers have witnessed firsthand the transformative power of Hyrox, with many participants discovering newfound confidence and a sense of accomplishment. “We see so many people feeling empowered and accomplished as they’re starting to do things they could never do before and never thought was possible. And we’re bringing the wider community of CrossFit and functional fitness athletes together to showcase what people can do,” Linda Fowler explained.

To ensure inclusivity, Pete Fowler revealed that they’ve expanded entry divisions to include more Masters athletes, aiming to reach a broader spectrum of fitness lovers.

What specific initiatives has Hyrox implemented to ensure its accessibility for athletes of all fitness levels?

Hyrox: A Chat with Linda Fowler

Linda Fowler, co-founder of Hyrox, talks about teh success of the world’s premier fitness race and its growing global impact.

Archyde News: Linda, Hyrox has exploded in popularity in a short time – what do you think drives this success?

Linda Fowler: I think people are looking for a challenge and a sense of community. Hyrox delivers both! We create an electrifying atmosphere, but it’s also very grounded in personal accomplishment. You see people pushing themselves beyond thier perceived limits every day.

archyde News: Hyrox seems to be more than just a competition – it has a strong social element. How crucial is community for Hyrox?
 

Linda Fowler: It’s the core of what Hyrox is about. We want to build a space where everyone feels welcome, no matter their fitness level. We’ve seen people going from struggling to complete events to smashing their personal bests, and the support they get from the Hyrox community is astonishing.

Archyde News: Hyrox is widely praised for its accessibility. Tell me more about your inclusivity efforts.

Linda Fowler: We’re really proud to be inclusive. we’ve expanded the entry divisions considerably, especially for Masters athletes, to ensure everyone feels represented and has the prospect to participate. Fitness should be for everyone, and Hyrox embodies that spirit.

Archyde News: Looking ahead, what are you most excited about for the future of hyrox?

Linda Fowler: I can’t wait to see Hyrox continue to grow and impact even more lives. We’re building a global community of people who are passionate about pushing themselves, challenging their limits, and celebrating their achievements together.