Love it or hate it, HYROX is impossible to ignore.

As a result, an increasing number of CrossFit affiliates are offering HYROX programming or classes, or even becoming official HYROX training clubs.

• Considering more than 1.2 million people will participate in a HYROX race in 2025 — a number that is expected to continue its astronomical growth with races in 85 cities and over 30 countries — it seems like a smart move. 
• Additionally, with only 233,815 people signing up for the 2025 CrossFit Open — the lowest participation since 2014 — branching out to HYROX almost seems like a no-brainer.

On the other hand, some uncertainties remain about HYROX, particularly whether it’s merely a passing trend without lasting power.

• Additionally, while CrossFit is a great way to prepare for HYROX, is offering HYROX-specific classes and programming, along with paying to affiliate with HYROX, even necessary?

What They’re Saying

We reached out to a handful of gym owners who have hopped aboard the HYROX train to see how things are going. Here’s what we heard.

In North Bethesda, MD 

A year and a half ago, John Weeks decided to add a HYROX affiliate to his Tough Temple affiliate, and he says it has been “a great addition to our overall offerings.”

Today, both CrossFit and HYROX classes each account for about 40% of his schedule and are his most popular programs. Meanwhile, the other 20% includes specialty programs like a Kettlebell Club and Olympic weightlifting.

Weeks estimates that he has gained at least 50 new members who signed up specifically for HYROX.

• “We also get a lot of drop-ins from people who train at other facilities that don’t offer HYROX when they are training for a race,” he added. 

Another benefit, Weeks explained, is that members who participate in both CrossFit and HYROX classes are less overtrained than those who only do CrossFit.

• “The increased aerobic capacity [from HYROX classes] has helped people become fitter overall,” he said. 

Finally, HYROX also serves as a great introduction to high-intensity training “with less fear for the untrained beginner,” Weeks said.

• “It makes it easy to get someone in the door and move quickly, and we can refine their movements over time,” he said. 

As a result, Weeks recommends adding HYROX classes to other affiliate owners, but he has one caveat: “Don’t treat it as CrossFit light.” 

He continued: “The programming doesn’t have to be dramatically different than CrossFit, and there needs to be a more consistent focus on strength, endurance, and aerobic conditioning than in the CrossFit model.” 

He said that it might also require some major equipment purchases, such as SkiErgs, sleds, and sandbags.

In West Chester, PA  

Luke Waltman, the owner of Brandywine CrossFit, had a very different experience from Weeks when trying out HYROX services.

In 2024, Waltman partnered with HYROX and shifted his usual Sunday endurance classes to concentrate on HYROX training. He also began offering HYROX classes six days a week.

• “At first, it was cool and members continued to come, but as time went on, week after week, our class size began to drop,” he said, adding that he can’t remember adding even one member who joined specifically for HYROX classes. 

Waltman conducted the HYROX experiment for one year before deciding to de-affiliate. 

• “We returned to our normal endurance programming, and funny enough, the class has grown in size again,” he said. 

Waltman added, “While we find HYROX to be a good event, we found the programming to be more or less repetitive in nature. It just didn’t include enough different movements to line up with [what CrossFit offers]. And we know that CrossFit combined with more endurance and running training prepares you to be a top competitor in almost anything.”

In North Little Rock, AR

Phil Forrester, affiliated with HYROX, started offering classes at his gym, Rock City Complete Fitness, last June, and says so far, “it’s going great and it’s growing.”

He has already added 15 new members because of his HYROX classes, and he said many of his current members are also getting “re-energized by joining HYROX classes.” 

After just four and a half months, HYROX makes up 10% of his revenue, which he says more than covers both the coach’s fee and the affiliate fee.

Ultimately, Forrester believes that CrossFit and HYROX form a great partnership, one that only adds value for members.

• “HYROX aligns well with the CrossFit competitive mindset. If you have the space and equipment to support it, at $130 a month to become an official HYROX training club, it is an easy decision,” he said. 

In Colorado Springs, CO  

The verdict is still out for Jodi Walter, owner of CrossFit Falcon View, on whether offering HYROX classes will benefit her business and members in the long run.

• She started offering HYROX-style programming and classes as an add-on fee six months ago and says it’s “going okay.”

So far, she has gained two members through HYROX, leading to a small revenue boost. However, she has not officially affiliated as a HYROX training club and does not use the HYROX name, which might have impacted this.

Ultimately, the main reason Walter’s HYROX initiative hasn’t grown much at CrossFit Falcon View is that not many of her members want to participate in a HYROX race. And while this doesn’t look good for those classes, Walter isn’t sad about it.

• “I’m actually kind of proud of the fact that my members haven’t wanted to go headfirst into HYROX. They love CrossFit and the results they are getting. We are also in Colorado, and our community has plenty of opportunity to express their fitness outside, so I don’t think an indoor race appeals to them quite as much,” she explained. 

At this point, Walter said the only reason she is keeping it going is because those who are doing the classes “are so grateful for the coaching and feel like they are moving better.”

• “I want to keep helping them, but it’s not the best business decision,” she added.

Regarding whether she would consider becoming an official HYROX training club to support the program’s growth, Walter insists that she is not considering it.

• “I’m not interested in paying another affiliation fee…I love the CrossFit methodology. We can help people get ready for any race,” she said.

The Big Picture

Like many topics in the CrossFit world, deciding whether or not to add HYROX services to a gym’s offerings is a divisive issue. And the results have been, too. 

• For Weeks and Forrester, their HYROX affiliations have been a source of new members, drop-ins, and additional revenue, but for Waltman and Walter’s, their HYROX experiments brought limited returns.

What is clear is that HYROX is on the rise in a big way. But whether CrossFit affiliates will capitalize on the movement long-term is yet to be determined. 

Featured image: Scott Freymond