Crossfit athletes v. Hyrox athletes

Many top CrossFit athletes are now experimenting with — or transitioning entirely to — Hyrox. Tia Clair-Toomey, a 7-time CrossFit Games champion, is competing in the mixed doubles division this weekend in Hyrox Brisbane. Ricky Gerard, who finished 3rd in the CrossFit Games in 2022 and 7th in 2024, is competing in the solo pro division. 2024 CrossFit champion James Sprague competed in Hyrox Las Vegas. Other elite CrossFit competitors who have competed in Hyrox include Kristi Eramo O'Connell, Chandler Smith and Sam Briggs.

While many current and former elite CrossFit athletes have performed well in Hyrox races, none have yet become elite Hyrox competitors. Both sports combine endurance and functional fitness movements, but they are fundamentally different sports. Excelling in each sport requires different athletic capabilities and training methodologies.

Dr. Gommaar D'Hulst, a sports scientist based in Switzerland, details some of the key physiological differences on his YouTube channel, WOD Science. D'Hulst explains that because a Hyrox race requires 60-90 minutes of sustained output, the major training focus needs to be conditioning. CrossFit, meanwhile, typically involves 20 minutes or less of high-intensity work, putting a premium on power.

While CrossFit requires an extremely well-developed anaerobic energy system, which the body uses for short bursts of effort, Hyrox is primarily aerobic. Even the strength-based stations in Hyrox, like the sleds and lunges, are aerobic. D'Hulst says that, based on his testing, the aerobic base of a typical high-level CrossFit athlete is "not that high." This isn't to say a CrossFit athlete could not develop the aerobic base necessary to compete at the highest levels of Hyrox, but it will take time.

You can learn more from D'Hulst about the differences between Hyrox and CrossFit athletes here:

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How to analyze your next Hyrox race

In the three months leading up to the Hyrox World Championships in June, there are 30 Hyrox races all around the world. One of the attractions of Hyrox is that it is the same race each time, and produces a wealth of data about section of the race. This data can be used to adjust your strategy and training — and potentially improve your performance.

There are several options online to analyze your races. Here are the pros and cons of each.

1. Hyrox.com

Hyrox attempted to update its timing system and website at the beginning of 2025. It turned out to be a disaster and Hyrox has reverted back to the old system for the remainder of the season.

Pros

• Real-time results, including mid-race so others can track your progress

• Your ranking in your division for each segment of the race

• Historical results

• Free

Cons

• No ability to compare races

• No information about your performance within your age group, other than overall finish

• No advice about how to use the data in your next race

• Difficult to find all race results, particuarly from different seasons

2. Hyresult.com

Pros

• Easily look up all race results for any athlete

• Compare your performance to a previous race from any athlete, including yourself

• Your ranking in your division for each segment of the race

• Evaluation of results in comparison to all competitors who ever raced in your division

• Free

Cons

• No real-time results

• No advice about how to use the data in your next race

3. RoxOpt.com

Pros

• Detailed comparison of your race compared to your previous races

• Detailed comparison to others in your age group and division

• Evaluation of your performance on each race segment, based on previous times

• Analysis of race segements with the most potential for improvement

• Predictions for next race

Cons

• Costs $24.99

• Only available in PDF format

• No ability to compare your results to other racers

NOTE: We want to hear about your accomplishments! Share your podium finishes, PBs, and other race wins and we'll feature them in an upcoming issue. Send an email to alex@hybridletter.com.

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Hybrid Athlete of the Week: Ronald Bradford

Name: Ronald Bradford
Age: 47
Hometown: Richmond, Virginia

When did you start hybrid racing? March 2024, when I did my first doubles race in Washington DC. I decided to do my first race after watching my gym friends compete last year in NYC/New Jersey.

Favorite race to date? Hyrox NYC this past June at Pier 76 was my favorite race because we were able to improve our time. Special shoutout to my partner Gabe who lets me sign us up for races without asking first.

Race goal? My next race goal is to do my first solo Hyrox. If you know me, I never wanted to do this solo, but things change.

Favorite station? Surprisingly, the burpee broad jump. We have a love-hate relationship.

Least favorite station? Sandbag lunges and skierg equally.

Something you wish you knew when you started racing? Although my friend Amber told me I needed to run more, I didn’t. Now she has me signed up for four races leading up to Hyrox because I see how much running is a game changer for the races.