HYROX has taken over the fitness world by storm. Its tagline, the fitness competition for every body, makes it easy to see why it has become so attractive as a sport.
Whether you are a top-level athlete, a fitness enthusiast, or you simply want to try something new this year, HYROX might be the activity for you.
HYROX is a global indoor fitness race that tests both endurance and strength through a unique yet standardised format.
Participants alternate one-kilometre runs with eight functional workout stations, either by themselves or with a partner, aiming to complete the circuit as quickly as possible.
The sport originated in Germany in 2017 and has become the fastest-growing fitness sport globally, with competitions held in numerous cities across various countries.
It is not surprising that it has become incredibly popular amongst gyms and gym-goers across West Cork and beyond.
Joanna McCarthy from Union Hall owns Alpha Gym in Grange, Cork, which is an official HYROX partner gym.
They run specialised classes and have organised many competitions, also known as simulations. She says that what is often seen online isn’t reflective of the competitions she runs.
‘While online content often highlights elite athletes posting incredible times, which can feel intimidating, that isn’t reflective of the events I’ve organised or competed in. These races are filled with everyday people working towards their own goals; dads and daughters competing together, busy mums smashing personal milestones, and friends pushing each other across the finish line. These are the people who inspire me and our Alpha clients to think, I can do that too’.
The eight workout stations that sit between the eight one-kilometre runs include the ski erg, sled push and pull, rower, burpee broad jumps, wall balls, farmers carry and sandbag lunges.
‘With no time caps and a global leaderboard, HYROX provides an inclusive yet competitive race experience for everyone’, says Joanna.
BodyActive Fitness in Skibbereen is also affiliated with HYROX. The team runs weekly classes and has organised two simulations, with more planned for this year.
‘It has really hit the spot in catering for all levels. There have been other games and sports that have come out over the years that would fall into the elite level, while this seems to cater to everybody.
You can be a top athlete, a 30-year-old woman, or a 75-year-old man performing HYROX, it seems to be ticking the boxes for everybody’, says Jonathan Davis, owner of BodyActive Fitness.
Someone who took up HYROX over a year ago and has competed on her own, with her daughter, and with her husband, is Ellen Ahern from Ardfield.
‘Signing up to my first HYROX competition was a 50th birthday present to myself’, says Ellen, who was already a keen runner and gym-goer, and realised that pairing the two together would bring her into the world of HYROX.
Ellen did her first competition last year in Dublin as an individual competitor and won her age category. Little did she know that the birthday present to herself would lead to her qualifying for the world championships in Chicago.
To prepare for the event, Ellen trained with Mikey Power, owner of Bfit and HYROX West Cork in Bandon, another fitness facility that runs specialised HYROX classes. She also travelled to Glasgow with her daughter Laura, where they competed in the ladies doubles category and finished 21st.
‘We worked really well together. We read each other well’, says Ellen.
She also competed with her husband Jim in the mixed doubles category in Dublin last June, and they are signed up for another one in Malaga this April.
‘I definitely enjoyed competing with him. Doubles are better than individual competitions’.
Ellen went on to compete at the world championships in Chicago last summer, where she finished 14th in her age category. While there’s no stopping Ellen, who has lots of events to look forward to throughout 2026, the idea of competing may seem daunting to some. The beauty of this sport is that you don’t need to compete. You can simply do the classes.
‘While some members have no interest in racing, they love the HYROX classes because of how physically and mentally challenging they are. We do encourage everyone to try a simulation at least once as it’s a great goal to work towards, a brilliant way to meet like-minded people, and there’s a strong sense of community, especially during the dark winter months when motivation can be low’, says Joanna of Alpha Gym, which will be running a number of simulations throughout 2026.
‘The everyday athletes helped us scale our first event from 160 participants at the Marina Market to 1,600 at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh in just 15 months. This month will mark our first simulation in our new home at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh, with four events scheduled for 2026 in total, in January, March, July and September’, adds Joanna.
BodyActive Fitness runs classes in Skibbereen every Tuesday and Saturday morning.
‘We cater for all fitness levels. If you’ve been doing HYROX classes for the last 18 months, you’ll get a good workout. If you’re new to HYROX, you’ll also get a good workout’, says Jonathan Davis.
It’s easy to see why HYROX has taken the world by storm and perhaps this is your year to push yourself outside your comfort zone and give yourself the gift of a fitness competition too!
