We competed in the Red Bull HYROX Night Shift Invitational. That statement means very different things depending on who you ask. Some people will say, “That’s really cool, did you go sub 60?” The answer is no as we are mere mortals. Others will say, “Wow, that’s incredible, I could never do one.” And then there are those asking, “What on earth is HYROX?”
Depending on your social media algorithm or your friendship group, you probably fall into one of those categories.
So What Actually Is HYROX?
First things first, it does not stand for “Hybrid Rockstar,” despite what some corners of the internet might suggest. In reality, it does not stand for anything at all. The name comes from the idea of hybrid fitness, combining endurance and strength into one competition.
A HYROX race consists of eight workouts, each separated by a 1km run. That means a total of 8km of running alongside a series of functional fitness challenges. These include the SkiErg, sled push, sled pull, burpee broad jumps, rowing, farmer’s carries, sandbag lunges, and finally wall balls.
The weights and standards vary depending on the category, but the format stays the same. On top of this, there is also the “Roxzone,” which is the transition area between running and workout stations. This adds extra distance, meaning you usually end up running closer to 8.6km in total.
What makes HYROX particularly interesting right now is how brands like Red Bull are actively supporting its growth. Through events like the Red Bull HYROX Night Shift Invitational and backing elite athletes such as Jake Dearden and Lucy Procter, the brand is helping elevate both the top level of competition and the wider HYROX community. It is not just about elite performance, but about building a full ecosystem around the sport.
The Red Bull HYROX Night Shift Invitational Experience
Now that you know what it is, how did we find it? In one word, hard. And honestly, quite intimidating.
For context, this was our third HYROX. Our previous two both came in at around 1 hour 5 minutes. We are relatively strong runners, but weaker on the stations compared to others. This time was slightly different. We had been running a lot but had done very little specific HYROX prep. The goal was simple, go out, enjoy it, and aim for around 1 hour 7 minutes.
Safe to say, we were not exactly dialled in. At one point, we even asked the judge how many lengths we had left on the sled pull, which did not go down particularly well.
The event itself at Olympia was huge. There were two large warm-up areas, plenty of food, snacks, and brand activations. We arrived early, watched some races, and soaked up the atmosphere. About an hour before our start time, we got changed, dropped our bags, and tried to relax.
Twenty minutes before the race, we headed into the warm-up area for a few light stretches. Nothing too intense. Ten minutes out, we had a gel, drank some water, and entered the start tunnel.
This is where things got real.
We were standing there in a vest and t-shirt, and suddenly the rest of the field piled in. About 90 percent of them were topless, incredibly lean, and clearly very serious. There was shouting, energy, and a lot of intensity in the air.
Naturally, we got pushed towards the back. Imposter syndrome kicked in hard. We are not the most muscular, and there was definitely a moment of “what have we signed up for?” The only goal at that point was simple. Do not come last.
The countdown began, the tension built, and then we were off.
The Race Itself
As expected, we started strong on the runs. Holding around a 3:50 per kilometre pace, we worked our way from the back of the pack to around fifth place in our heat by the time we reached the SkiErg.
The SkiErg is a strange one. It is as hard as you make it. The key is to keep your heart rate under control rather than going all out and paying for it later.
Next came the sled push and pull, back to back, and both tough in their own way. In doubles, we split the work evenly. The push requires short, fast steps, while the pull is more about rhythm and positioning. Judges are strict here, especially with foot faults, and penalties come quickly if you are not careful.
Then came what we think is the hardest part of the race. The burpee broad jumps. Absolute misery. By this point, you are tired from the running, slightly delirious, and just trying to keep moving forward. We slowed it down, focused on clean reps, and got through it.
From there, it starts to feel like the home stretch. The rower is a chance to recover slightly, similar to the SkiErg. Some people switch every 250m, others every 500m. It depends on your strengths. It is also a good time to take on a gel if needed.
The farmer’s carries are all about grip. Use the chalk, it makes a huge difference. Small steps, stay controlled, and make sure you complete the correct number of laps. It is easy to lose track in the moment.
The lunges are where your legs really start to burn. The key is consistency. Keep your form clean, make sure your knee touches the ground, and avoid overextending your stride. A smooth handover between partners helps save time and energy.
Finally, the wall balls. One hundred reps standing between you and the finish line. At Olympia, these were in a separate part of the arena, so knowing the layout beforehand really helps. At this point, it is all about digging deep. Hit the target, keep moving, and swap when needed.
Then, suddenly, it is over.
We crossed the finish line in 1 hour 3 minutes, which we were incredibly proud of. You get handed a can of Red Bull, take your finish photo, and try to process what you have just done.
Final Thoughts
Social media might make it seem like everyone doing HYROX is running sub 60, with six packs and elite-level fitness. That is not reality. That is the top one percent.
In truth, HYROX is for a wide range of people. Some are there to compete at a high level, while others are simply there to challenge themselves and finish. Completing one is a serious achievement in itself.
We compete in doubles because we enjoy training together and pushing each other. It adds a social element that makes the whole experience even better.
If this has inspired you, keep an eye out for our upcoming pieces. We will be sharing more on HYROX training, classes, fuelling, and gear to help you get started.
For more Red Bull Hyrox information click here
If this has inspired you Check out TONE Magazine LDN and our other fitness guides.
