HYROX Categories Explained: Open, Pro, and Doubles

Introduction: One Race, Four Ways to Compete

HYROX has one race format eight runs, eight workouts but four ways to take part.

Choosing the right category is about matching your current strength, endurance, and mindset to the challenge you’re ready for.

Each division in Season 2025/2026 uses the same distances and order, but the loads, rep counts, and strategy vary. Let’s break them down.

 “HYROX is built for every athlete from first-timers to elite competitors. The format stays the same, only the challenge changes.” — RB100.Fitness

The Four HYROX Divisions

1. HYROX Open – The Standard Category

Open is where most athletes begin.

It balances endurance and strength demands with achievable sled weights and movement standards.

Ideal for:

• First-time competitors

• General fitness or hybrid athletes

• Runners or gym-goers wanting a measurable challenge

Race Details:

• 8×1 km runs + 8 functional stations

• Moderate sled weights (e.g. 152 kg men / 102 kg women)

• Wall ball targets: 10 ft (men) / 9 ft (women)

• Standard equipment and layout

Target Times:

• Men: 1 hr 15 – 1 hr 40

• Women: 1 hr 25 – 1 hr 50

The Open division provides the foundation learn pacing, efficiency and transitions here before progressing to Pro.

Related reading: HYROX Training Plan Example: 8 Weeks to Race Ready

2. HYROX Pro – The Advanced Division

Pro is the next level, designed for experienced hybrid athletes or those with a strong strength background.

Ideal for:

• Competitive athletes or ex-CrossFitters

• Returning HYROX racers looking to improve

• Anyone seeking a true global leaderboard challenge

Differences from Open:

• Heavier sleds, sandbags and wall-balls (approx. +25–30%)

Race Focus:

Pro demands tighter pacing control and higher aerobic tolerance.

The challenge is managing strength fatigue without losing run speed.

Average finish times (Season 2025/2026):

• Men: 1 hr 05 – 1 hr 30

• Women: 1 hr 15 – 1 hr 45

“Pro isn’t just heavier it’s smarter. Every second saved comes from strategy, not ego.” — RB100.Fitness

For programming and scaling, see Periodisation for HYROX: Structuring Your Training Year.

3. HYROX Doubles – Teamwork Meets Strategy

Doubles allows two athletes to share the workload, either alternating stations or sharing workload at each station, while running every 1 km together.

Ideal for:

• Friends, couples or training partners

• Those wanting a social yet challenging experience

• Competitors testing pacing before entering solo divisions

Race Format:

• 8×1 km runs together

• Stations divided between partners as you want to

• Shared equipment zones

• Equal rules for mixed or same-gender pairs

Key Strategy:

Communication and rhythm are critical.

The best doubles teams plan in advance who takes which station, how to hand over quickly, and how to keep run pace consistent.

For teamwork tips, see HYROX Doubles vs Singles: Which Is Right for You?

4. HYROX Relay – The Ultimate Team Event

Relay splits the HYROX course across four athletes. Each team member completes two stations plus their 1 km runs.

Ideal for:

• Gym teams and group training clubs

• Newcomers to HYROX wanting to experience the event atmosphere

• Athletes looking for a low-pressure introduction to hybrid racing

Relay emphasises speed and teamwork over endurance ideal for testing performance under competition energy.

How to Choose Your Category

When deciding between divisions, consider:

• Strength background: Can you move heavier sleds and lunge / burpee efficiently?

• Endurance: Are you comfortable running 8×1 km under fatigue?

• Experience level: Have you completed functional circuits or prior races?

• Goal: Participation, improvement, or qualification?

If you’re unsure, start with Open it’s challenging but accessible, and you can always step up to Pro next season.

Progressing Between Categories

Many athletes move from Open → Pro → Elite over multiple seasons.
That progression mirrors the philosophy of periodised training build first, refine second, peak later.
Your first HYROX should teach pacing and recovery, not destruction.

After your debut, analyse your splits on the HYROX Global Leaderboard to identify what’s next.

See Post-Race Reflection: Learning from Every HYROX Event for how to do this effectively.

Season 2025/2026 Tips for Each Division

To plan your race calendar, visit the RB100 Fitness Racing Events Calendar for all HYROX 2025/2026 Season event dates.

Summary: One Format, Many Paths

No matter which HYROX division you choose, the race structure stays identical — the challenge scales with your ambition.

Whether you’re chasing your first Open finish or eyeing a Pro podium, HYROX offers a clear path for growth season after season.

“The best part about HYROX is that everyone races the same course — you choose your level, but the clock never lies.” — RB100.Fitness