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Hyrox: Building communities through fitness challenges
At LegitFit, we are all about empowering fitness professionals to create thriving businesses. But what makes a business truly special? It is not just about the latest equipment or the most high-tech classes. It is about fostering a community and a space where people feel supported, motivated, and inspired.
In an era where boutique classes and studios reign supreme, the power of community has emerged as a secret weapon for success. Group classes and programs serve as the lifeblood, fostering connections and forging friendships that extend far beyond the studio walls. At the heart of cultivating an inclusive gym environment lies the creation of a vibrant community that can be supported by an array of activities, events and programmes.
Hyrox events always stand out as a beacon of resistance and camaraderie. Imagine a fusion of functional fitness exercises and endurance challenges, all packaged into a high-energy, adrenaline-fueled event. From rowing to sled pushes, participants tackle a series of grueling tasks, pushing their physical and mental limits to the brink.
Events like Hyrox are goldmines for community building. Our very own Head of Operations, Lee H., recently took on the Malaga Hyrox on April 13th, 2024, and returned with a wealth of insights to share. Let's delve into his experience and see how these epic challenges can fuel your community and business.
Hyrox - The world series of fitness racing
Nothing motivates us more than friendly competition, right?! And for our Head of Operations, it was no different! One of Lee's good friends had recently completed Hyrox, so naturally fasting forward to last April 13th, he was crossing the finish line at the Malaga event (with an impressive 1:34:02 time for those wondering). Lee is no beginner when it comes to sports, you can find him nearly every day at the CrossFit studio or running 5-7 km twice a week, so we all knew he would put up a good fight.
As dawn breaks on the day of the event, Lee immerses himself in the vibrant atmosphere of Hyrox. At the event "you had gyms there with their clients, even from Ireland & UK, and they came over as a group (to Malaga, Spain) and it's building a togetherness through Hyrox which was great to see", he shared. Lee was also very pleased to find out that "amongst the participants, there was a strong sense of determination and focus. Amongst the spectators, definitely an energy of encouragement and positivity".
"The best thing about this event was everyone was so supportive and how together everyone was doing the event."
Strategising his approach, Lee knew the first half of the race would be his biggest challenge of the day. The goal was to power through each stage, even if at a slow pace, minimising the number of stops. We were very impressed (to say the least) to find out that one of his strategies was to "use the run as a “rest or recovery”, as easy as that sounds".
If you ever wondered what goes through someone's head during an event like this, well, we asked! Lee shared that his "My main thought was just to finish. Get it done. I did have moments when this felt slow and challenging, and I wondered why I wanted to do this, but just had to go through the motions. I was also looking over to other participants that I started with as I wanted to beat them."
After his one-hour-and-a-half-long race, facing dreadful rower, 80 metres of burpee broad jumps, 100 wall balls, recovering while running, and a lot more (really, a lot more!), Lee crosses the finish line. Although physically he felt "shot to pieces", the two Red Bulls he had after brought him back, right in time to feel pleased and accomplished to have finished this incredible journey... and "motivated to beat his own time again".
Apart from the sweat, blood and tears shared prepping, racing and after the event by all the competitors, the sense of community is unmatched. Lee was happy to share that "the biggest takeaway was actually how together everyone was doing the event. Really supportive, pushing each other, and no one left behind". With options tailored to individuals of all fitness levels, events like Hyrox can allow your community to challenge themselves, connect with like-minded enthusiasts, and embrace the thrill of competition.
The bonds and experiences forged through shared challenges go beyond the finish line. Got inspired? So, lace up your trainers, join the ranks, and embark on a journey of self-discovery and community through the exhilarating world of fitness challenges. And if you're looking for advice, Lee has one final piece to share: "My main advice would be to train and prepare, however, I would also recommend that they enjoy it and take in the atmosphere. At the end of the day, it's an open fitness event with people of all sets of goals so no one should feel pressure and anyone can partake and expect support".
