My First HYROX NYC Experience: What to Expect, How to Train, and Why You Should Do It

I Completed My First HYROX NYC — Let’s Discuss!

First, I want to talk about the registration process, because it was traumatic.

I logged in around 11:45 for a 12 o’clock registration, and when I got in, I was about the 10,000th person in the queue. By the time 12 o’clock hit, I was somehow able to register for the Women’s Doubles — which was amazing, but the process itself? Stressful doesn’t cover it.

That kicked off 13 weeks of training. Right around the time I registered for HYROX, Peloton released a 12-week training program on their platform, which I used as my guide. And while I was training for HYROX, I was also training for the Brooklyn Half Marathon, which happened on May 16th — with HYROX following on May 29th. I participated in the first weekend of the competition.

The Day Of

Check-in was held at the Jacob Javits Center, about three or four blocks from the actual venue at Pier 76. We took a pedicab from Javits to the HYROX location — it was free, provided by either HYROX or Puma, I’m not entirely sure. It was my first time in a pedicab in decades, and honestly, it was such a fun way to start the day.

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When we got inside, the vibes were immaculate. The first thing we saw was the store. We actually made a last-minute outfit swap because it was about 78°F with full sun, and what we originally wore just wasn’t breathable enough. So we did a full clothing swap and grabbed some HYROX merchandise while we were at it.

We headed to the warm-up area, and the energy was so high. We chatted with people, nerves were flying everywhere, but everyone was incredibly supportive of each other. Honestly, the community aspect was one of my favorite parts of the entire day.

The Race

We heard a motivational speech before the start that made me cry — like, really cry. It brought up everything I’d been holding onto through those 13 weeks of training. And then we were off.

The first few laps were actually extra long due to where we started, and then it was time for the SkiErg. Still feeling fresh, so that wasn’t too bad.

Then came the real stuff.

Sled Push — not too hard, but it takes a lot out of you. Six lengths, up and down — the lengths aren’t very long, but it’s intense.

Sled Pull — not too bad. I used a hand-over-hand method; some people use a squat-pull-and-drop approach. One thing to know: the rope will get in your way, so stay mindful of that as you pull.

Burpee Broad Jumps — this was my come-to-Jesus moment. I had done so many burpees over 13 weeks of training, and it still was not enough. My partner Erin definitely carried more of the weight here, and even when I was jumping, I felt unstable. This was, without question, the longest station for us.

Row — super easy, felt good.

Farmer’s Carry — I have 35-pound weights at home, so I felt very comfortable here. We plowed right through it.

Sandbag Lunges — genuinely difficult, but I spotted one of my favorite Peloton instructors, Robin, and she gave me a big smile that motivated me to push through. By this point, the runs between stations were getting really hard — the sun was at its highest and hottest, and the heat was no joke.

Wall Balls — this is where things broke down for me. Every time I threw the ball up, the rep wasn’t counted — either because I wasn’t squatting low enough or because I wasn’t hitting the correct target. My partner and I really had to dig deep to get through this one. But we did it, and we were proud.

Final Thoughts

Would I do HYROX again? Absolutely. It was awesome. I don’t know if I’d do the solo division — I’m still thinking about it — but I’d definitely consider doubles again. I genuinely don’t know how people travel from city to city competing in this, because it is hard work. God bless anyone who does. I also GET IT. The HYROX community, like the running community, is genuinely amazing, supportive and fantastic.

Would I recommend it? Yes — but only with proper training. If you have any questions about the event, drop them in the comments!

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