We compare athletes across different disciplines to debate on whether hybrid athletes, runners or cross-fitters are best built for fitness racing
HYROX Singapore is back again this weekend, happening at the Singapore EXPO from Saturday, 31 August to Sunday, 1 September and we can't help but wonder which category of athletes would excel best in fitness racing.
To answer this question, it is important to know the distinct qualities each of these athletes possess and how they differ from one another.
Also, how does one define a hybrid athlete?
A hybrid athlete is someone who combines elements from different athletic disciplines to excel in multiple areas of fitness.
Unlike athletes who specialise in just one discipline or sport or type of training, hybrid athletes often integrate endurance, strength, speed, and agility into their regimen.
For example, a hybrid athlete might blend elements of weightlifting, running, and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) to perform well in activities that require a broad range of physical capabilities.
This approach allows them to be competitive in various types of events or physical challenges, from endurance races to strength competitions.
To learn more about training for hybrid athletes, read this article here.
The key characteristics of a hybrid athlete would include:
Versatility: They develop a broad skill set that supports performance across different types of physical activities.
Balance: They train multiple facets of fitness, such as cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, and flexibility.
Adaptability: They can shift their focus and training strategies based on the demands of different sports or activities.
Knowing the Fundamental Differences between Hybrid athletes, Runners and CrossFit athletes
It is also important to understand what HYROX requires in order for one to excel.
HYROX typically includes a configuration of 1-kilometre runs followed by functional fitness challenges, such as sled pushes, rowing, wall balls, lunges - with a total of eight stations to complete, where participants are timed at the end upon completing all runs and stations.
Given the nature of HYROX, hybrid athletes seem the most likely to excel in this event.
To excel at HYROX an athlete requires endurance, strength and power. Hybrid athletes train for both endurance and strength, making them well-prepared for the diverse demands of HYROX.
Apart from testing a participant’s general level of fitness, the event also tests a wide range of skills.
Hybrid athletes are used to training across multiple disciplines, making them adaptable and versatile to the varied challenges HYROX presents.
Additionally, many hybrid athletes participate in events like Spartan Races or triathlons, which also require a combination of strength, endurance, and mental toughness. This experience is directly transferable to HYROX.
Runners on the other hand would excel in the running portions of HYROX. That’s not to say they would necessarily flounder or fail to excel when it comes to the strength-based functional fitness challenges, but they would definitely need to train for those types of movements beforehand.
On the flip side, CrossFit athletes would likely perform well in the functional fitness challenges due to their strength and conditioning training. However, they might find the running segments more challenging, particularly if they don't regularly train for endurance running.
The format of HYROX rewards a fitness routine that is well-rounded on all fronts. Hence, it is imperative that participants who want to excel in HYROX have a well-rounded fitness regimen that better supports the physical demand of HYROX.
All three types of athletes can excel at HYROX, however, the odds of the hybrid athlete performing the best across the entire event are just more favourable. Hybrid athletes would be the natural favourites to excel due to their skillset, having already formed a firm foundation of both running and functional exercise with their training and experience.
Ultimately, it all comes down to the individual to dictate what level of training is appropriate in any discipline in preparation for HYROX.
Personally, I think that individuals should first define what excellence is to them. The word excellence is defined by Oxford to be “the definition of being outstanding or good.”
But who decides what is good or outstanding? The individual who’s participating of course! HYROX is before anything else a timed fitness event, and whilst there isn’t a time limit, a factor in pushing participants to try harder is the prospect of finishing the course as quickly as possible.
This metric of measurement serves as good way of measuring your overall physical condition, documenting self-improvement, engaging in a fun and social fitness experience, etc. For instance, a participant can take part in HYROX annually and be happy with beating a timing they had set a year prior.
This metric of measurement welcomes healthy competition. It’s important to remember that some healthy competition is fun and good but it’s important to not get carried away with ego and getting upset that your timing beaten by others; comparing yourself to others might lead to unhealthy training habits like ego-lifting and overtraining, both seriously increasing your risk of injuring yourself. It also, more than anything, sucks the fun out of HYROX completely.
Remember: “Comparison is the thief of joy. If all you’re doing is comparing yourself to someone else, you’ll never be happy.” – Unknown.
Happy training!