If you’re a gym owner, you’ve likely heard the buzz. HYROX, the “world series of fitness racing” is the new fitness trend mentioned in the New York Times, and expected to attract more than 650,000 participants this year alone. And for CrossFit and functional fitness gyms looking to attract new members and increase revenue, HYROX is rapidly becoming one of the biggest opportunities.

But what exactly is HYROX, and how can you capitalize on its explosive growth? To get answers, we sat down with John Singleton, founder of The Progrm, on The Next Rep podcast. As an expert who has coached over 30 athletes to the CrossFit Games and is now an official training partner for HYROX, John provided a clear guide for gym owners looking to navigate this new frontier.

What is HYROX? The Known and Knowable Race

While CrossFit is famously built on preparing for the “unknown and unknowable,” HYROX offers the opposite: a fitness race that is known and knowable. The event format is always the same, which is a huge part of its appeal.

The race consists of eight functional fitness stations, with a one-kilometer run preceding each one. The stations themselves will be familiar to any CrossFitter:

  • Ski Erg
  • Sled Push & Sled Pull
  • Burpee Broad Jumps
  • Rowing
  • Farmer’s Carries
  • Sandbag Lunges
  • Wall Balls

The event doesn’t require highly technical skills like Olympic weightlifting or gymnastics. Therefore, the barrier to entry is much lower than a typical CrossFit competition, making it accessible and appealing to a broader audience.

“You can do the same thing as the elite athletes, albeit at a lower intensity level,” John explained.

The Massive Opportunity for CrossFit & Functional Fitness Gyms

According to John, gyms that already offer functional fitness are in a prime position to benefit from the HYROX trend. Here are two ways that can happen:

1. Attract a New Demographic: Runners

HYROX acts as a bridge between two massive—but often separate—fitness communities: CrossFitters and runners. Many runners are interested in HYROX but may feel intimidated by a traditional CrossFit gym. Or they lack access to the necessary equipment and coaching.

“All of a sudden, you’ve got a huge demographic of fitness people who would have probably never walked foot into a CrossFit gym,” said John. “But all of a sudden, they might now be interested because you offer what they need.”

HYROX training can help you attract a new demographic of runners for your gym.

2. Implementing a Low-Cost Revenue Stream

Best of all, the barrier to entry for gym owners is incredibly low. “Most gyms have all the equipment already,” John notes. With no major new investment in equipment, offering HYROX training can be an immediate and high-margin addition to increase gym revenue.

“It seems like a no-brainer to me right now that a large number of CrossFit gyms should be starting to enter into this world, especially if they’re struggling to increase revenue.”

How to Introduce HYROX Training at Your Gym: A 3-Step Plan

Thinking about opening a HYROX gym? John laid out a simple path for exploring interest and integrating HYROX into your gym’s offerings.

  • Step 1: Gauge member interest. Before launching a full program, send out a questionnaire to see how many of your current members would be interested in a HYROX-specific class.
  • Step 2: Start with a weekly class or “simulation” event. Try rebranding a lower-attendance day (like a Thursday “active recovery” day) as your “HYROX Day.” Even better, host a simulation on a Saturday. You can market this event to local run clubs to bring new faces into your gym and springboard your official launch.
  • Step 3: Partner with a programming expert. HYROX training is more than just random conditioning. It requires a thoughtful approach, especially when it comes to managing running volume to prevent overuse injuries. The Progrm specifically designs its HYROX plans with the equipment and space limitations of micro gyms in mind—plus it’s delivered seamlessly through the Wodify Workout Marketplace—so you can save time and ensure your members get the best possible training.

Getting Started with HYROX at Your Gym

Ready to bring HYROX to your members? The Wodify Workout Marketplace offers a handful of programming options for you to explore, including The Progrm’s affiliate-focused HYROX programming, making it easy to get started with expert-built, thoughtful training plans. Plus, workouts load directly into the Workout Marketplace, so coaches spend less time on data entry and more time coaching.

To learn more, book a free demo with the Wodify team today!