HYROX Divisions and Categories Explained

Choosing the right HYROX division can shape your entire race experience. With options from solo challenges to team formats, you get to pick what matches your fitness level and ambitions.
Pick a division that balances your current ability with the challenge you’re after.

You can go solo in the Open or Pro categories. Or you could team up in Doubles, Mixed Doubles, or share the grind in a Relay.
Each option comes with its own weights, workout standards, and strategies. The best choice depends on how you want to train and show up on race day.
Understanding these categories helps you set realistic expectations. When you know what each division demands, you can show up with a clear plan and the right mindset.

Key Takeaways

• HYROX has divisions for all fitness levels and goals
• Every division features specific workout standards and formats
• Picking the right category helps you train smarter and show up with confidence

Overview of HYROX Race Divisions

HYROX is a global fitness race that blends running with functional strength exercises. Each division tweaks the weights, format, or team setup so you can compete at your level. Our what is HYROX guide covers the race itself.

What Is HYROX?

HYROX is a standardized indoor fitness race. You’ll tackle 8 workout stations, each separated by a 1 km run, so that’s 8 km running plus functional movements.
The stations test skills like sled pushing, rowing, lunges, and burpees. Since the layout stays the same at every event, you can compare your performance to athletes worldwide.
HYROX welcomes all fitness levels. Beginners, recreational folks, and elite competitors all race under the same structure, but divisions adjust the difficulty with weights and team options.

Understanding HYROX Divisions

HYROX offers several divisions, so you can pick what fits your fitness and competition style. The main categories are:

• Open – Standard weights and reps, good for most people
• Pro – Heavier weights for advanced athletes
• Doubles – Two athletes split the workout load, but run together
• Relay – Four athletes, each does 2 runs and 2 stations

You’ll also find men’s, women’s, and mixed team options. That means you can go solo, with a partner, or as part of a group.
You might start with Open, then move to Pro or team formats as you get stronger and fitter.

Key Differences Between Divisions

The main differences between divisions are weights, workload sharing, and competition style.

• Open uses lighter weights, so it’s approachable for most athletes.
• Pro turns up the intensity with heavier sled pushes, wall balls, and more.
• Doubles splits the exercises, which helps with fatigue but demands teamwork.
• Relay breaks the race into segments, so it’s more about speed and strategy.

There’s a division for pretty much every type of athlete. Solo challenge? Team effort? HYROX makes it easy to find your lane.

HYROX Open and Pro Categories

HYROX splits athletes into divisions that fit different fitness levels and goals. The big differences are weight loads, competition standards, and performance expectations.

HYROX Open: Who Is It For?

The HYROX Open division focuses on accessibility. You’ll complete the same 8 workouts and 8 runs as everyone else, but with lighter weights and more manageable standards.
It’s a solid starting point if you’re new to HYROX or still building strength and endurance. Lots of recreational athletes go for Open to get the full race experience without the heavier demands of Pro.
Men and women have different weight standards in Open. For example, sled pushes and pulls are lighter compared to Pro.
This lets you focus on pacing, transitions, and just learning the race flow. If you want to test your fitness in a structured race without needing elite prep, Open is your spot.

HYROX Pro: Advanced Competition

The HYROX Pro division ups the challenge with heavier weights on stations like sled push and farmer’s carry. The race distance stays the same, but you’ll need more strength.
Pro is really for advanced athletes with solid conditioning and strength. Training for Pro means you’ll need to handle heavier resistance and still keep up your running pace.
Pro athletes usually have their eyes on global rankings. If you want to see how you stack up internationally, this is the division.
Switching from Open to Pro takes consistent training and a bit of self-assessment. Plenty of athletes use fitness benchmarks to decide if they’re ready for Pro.

Elite 15: The Pinnacle of HYROX

The Elite 15 is HYROX’s top tier. Each race fields 15 men and 15 women. Under the current rules, qualification runs on a points ranking over a rolling 365-day window (your best five Singles results, weighted by field strength) and requires a HYROX Athlete Licence; the top three at each HYROX Elite Series race also qualify directly for the Elite 15 World Championship (hyrox.com Elite 15 qualification page, last checked October 2026).
You can’t just sign up for Elite 15; you earn your place through Pro results. A new Challenger division for athletes ranked 16 to 30 races at the same events, and its winner takes a direct Elite 15 slot.
Elite 15 races use Pro standards, but the pressure ramps up since you’re head-to-head with the best. Strategy and execution matter more than ever.
If you’re aiming for Elite 15, your training and results need to put you among the world’s best. That’s the gold standard in HYROX.

Doubles and Mixed Doubles Explained

In doubles, you team up and split the full HYROX race with a partner. Mixed doubles works the same way, but adjusts weights so male and female athletes can compete together.

HYROX Doubles: Team Dynamics

In HYROX doubles, you and your partner take on the same course as individuals: 8 x 1 km runs and 8 workout stations. The twist? You can split the workout stations, but both of you have to run together.
That means pacing as a team is crucial. If one person is faster, the other has to keep up, no splitting up during runs.
You can divide the workout stations however you like. Maybe one of you takes more sled pushes, the other does more burpees. The rules just say the station has to get done.
Success comes down to communication. Decide ahead of time how to split things up, and practice transitions so you don’t lose time.

Mixed Doubles: Unique Rules and Weights

HYROX mixed doubles use the same structure as men’s and women’s doubles. The weights are not reduced for the pairing, so the stronger partner usually takes more of the sled and lunge work.
One thing surprises people: mixed doubles use the men’s Open loads. The sled push is 152 kg and the sled pull 103 kg (sled included) for men’s and mixed doubles alike, while women’s doubles push 102 kg and pull 78 kg (HYROX Doubles Rulebook).
Both partners still have to run every kilometer together. The timing chips also check the gap between partners at each ROX Zone, with a one-minute penalty for separating, so plan who does what and stay close.
Mixed doubles demand balance. If one partner struggles with endurance or strength, the other has to adapt. Training together helps you spot weak points and build your strategy.
This division is popular since it lets partners with different strengths take on the full HYROX challenge together.

Relay and Team-Based Divisions

Team formats let you share the work with others, but you’ll still complete the full race structure. These divisions test coordination, pacing, and transitions just as much as fitness.

HYROX Relay: Format and Strategy

In the HYROX Relay, you’re part of a four-person team. The race has eight 1 km runs and eight workout stations.
Each teammate does two runs and two workout stations, so about a quarter of the race each. This setup lightens your individual load, but makes teamwork and planning even more important.
You’ll want to assign stations based on strengths. Maybe the strongest person takes sled pushes, while someone else handles rowing or burpees.
Transitions can make or break your time. Enter and exit the workout zones quickly, and practice handoffs before race day so your team stays sharp.
The relay is a great way to try HYROX without taking on the whole race solo. You can focus on specific parts and still help your team.

Comparing Relay vs. Doubles

Relay means four athletes, while Doubles is just two. In Doubles, you and your partner run all 8 km together and split every workout station. In Relay, each teammate runs 2 km and does two stations.
Here’s a quick look:

Relay is about short, intense bursts and smooth transitions. Doubles is about steady pacing and communication since you’re together the whole time.
If you like quick, intense efforts and team play, Relay is probably your jam. If you want a shared endurance grind with one partner, Doubles is the way to go.

HYROX Stations and Workout Standards

Every HYROX race follows a set sequence of eight workout stations, each separated by a 1 km run. Judges enforce clear standards for every movement, so you’ll want to know what counts as a rep and how to pace yourself.

Overview of HYROX Stations

HYROX always includes the same eight stations, in the same order. You’ll run 1 km before each station, so endurance matters as much as strength.
The stations are:

1. SkiErg (1,000 m)
2. Sled Push (50 m)
3. Sled Pull (50 m)
4. Burpee Broad Jumps (80 m)
5. Rowing (1,000 m)
6. Farmers Carry (200 m)
7. Sandbag Lunges (100 m)
8. Wall Balls (100 reps)

Each movement has set distances, weights, or reps. For example, SkiErg and Rowing both require 1000 meters. Strength stations like sleds and wall balls use specific weight standards, which change depending on your division.

Station loads by division

Sled weights include the sled. Source: HYROX Singles, Doubles and Relay Rulebooks and hyrox.com, last checked October 2026.

Sled Push and Sled Pull

The sled push and sled pull are two of the toughest HYROX stations. They’ll push your lower-body strength, grip, and all-around power to the limit.
In the sled push, you drive a weighted sled across a set distance. The weight changes depending on your division, Pro men push 202 kg, Open men and mixed doubles 152 kg, and Open women 102 kg, sled included.
Judges watch to make sure the sled fully crosses the marked line before it counts.
For the sled pull, you drag the sled toward you with a rope, then walk backward with it until it reaches the end. You have to pull hand-over-hand and stay behind the line.
Both stations demand good technique. If your form slips, you’ll waste energy fast.

Burpee Broad Jumps and Wall Balls

Burpee broad jumps mash two moves into one station. You drop into a burpee, then jump forward right away.
You keep repeating this pattern until you hit the finish. Judges check that your chest touches the floor on every burpee and that your feet land past the line on each jump.
Wall balls finish the race. You squat with a medicine ball and throw it up to a target on the wall.
You need to squat deep enough and hit the right height for reps to count. The number of reps stays the same, but the ball’s weight depends on your division.

Rowing and Other Key Movements

Rowing’s pretty straightforward but still brutal. You row 1000 meters on the machine, and the screen tracks your distance.
If you go out too hard here, you’ll pay for it later. Good pacing is everything.
Other stations include the farmers carry, sandbag lunges, and SkiErg. The farmers carry has you walking a set distance with heavy kettlebells, testing your grip and core.
Sandbag lunges force you to step forward with a weighted bag on your shoulders. Your back knee has to touch the ground every rep.
The SkiErg kicks things off. You pull the handles down to mimic cross-country skiing, covering 1000 meters.
Like rowing, you need a steady rhythm so you don’t burn out early.

How to Choose the Right HYROX Division

Picking the right HYROX division really comes down to your fitness, training history, and what you want out of the event. Think about your strength, endurance, and how comfortable you are with functional movements before you sign up.

Assessing Your Fitness Level

Start by thinking about your running and strength. HYROX mixes eight 1 km runs with stations like sled pushes, rowing, and burpees.
If running several kilometers without stopping sounds tough, the Open division probably makes more sense than Pro.
A fitness test can give you a better idea. Try timing a 1 km run, see how much you can push or pull, and check your bodyweight exercise skills.
If you already train with heavy weights and have solid conditioning, the Pro division might be tough but doable. If you’re new to endurance races, Open or Doubles is a safer bet.

Division Selection Tips

HYROX has a few divisions:

• Open (Singles): Standard weights, the right start for most people.
• Pro (Singles): Heavier weights, meant for advanced athletes.
• Doubles: Two people split the station work and run every kilometer together (women, men and mixed, plus Pro Doubles for women and men).
• Relay: Teams of four break up the race.
• Adaptive: Classifications for athletes with lower-limb, upper-limb and neurological impairments.

Choose based on your ability and what you want to get out of it. If you just want to finish, Open or Doubles is a great start.
If you’re chasing a fast time, maybe go for Pro.
Play to your strengths. If running’s your thing but heavy lifting isn’t, Open might be a better fit. If you love moving big weights, Pro could be your sweet spot.

Preparing for Your First HYROX Event

Once you pick a division, start building a training plan that matches what you’ll face on race day. Mix up running intervals with functional workouts to mimic real HYROX conditions.
Get used to switching between running and exercises. Efficiency here really matters, try moving straight from a 1 km run into sled pushes without stopping to catch your breath for too long.
Keep an eye on your progress with regular fitness tests. Track things like your run pace, rowing splits, or how many wall balls you can do.
Use these numbers to tweak your training as you go. It’s a good way to see if you’re actually getting ready for race day.
Pack the right gear, think comfortable shoes, plenty of hydration, and clothes that work for both running and strength stuff. Showing up prepared makes a world of difference.