Wondering what to wear to your first Hyrox competition? You’re not alone. Hyrox has taken the fitness scene by a storm and it’s only getting bigger – with competitions now in 55 cities across 28 different countries. If you want to avoid fitness FOMO, then you need to get involved.
I’ve done 11 Hyrox competitions in total and my obsession continues, with two more booked this year. As a hybrid fitness competition, Hyrox tests your strength, endurance and speed with a blend of running, weights and cardio equipment. Yes, it’s intense, but I promise you, it’s a lot of fun.
However, as any woman knows, what you wear when you exercise can quite literally help or hinder your workout. When it comes to Hyrox clothes, picking kit that’s functional, comfortable and also flattering will make a world of difference to your training as well as your first Hyrox competition.
Best Hyrox outfits at a glance:
What is Hyrox?
Before you start planning your Hyrox outfit, it’s good to know exactly what you’re signing up for. What is Hyrox? Hyrox is made up of eight different functional fitness stations – think wall balls, sled push, farmer’s carry, sled pull, burpees, weighted sandbag lunges, 1 km on the ski erg and 1 km on the rowing machine – with a 1 km run between each station.
You can choose to go it alone and compete solo, or pair up with a buddy and compete in pairs to take some of the pressure off.
What should you not wear to Hyrox?
From gym leggings that slip down to camel toe shorts, unsupportive bras and chafing tops, bad kit can really distract you during race day.
Holly Archer, who came first in this year’s Manchester Hyrox, says it’s best to test out every single piece of Hyrox clothing that you’re planning to wear on competition day. Even your socks.
“Shoes can slip on sleds and sports bras can feel cold and uncomfortable. You want zero distractions on race day so make sure you train in the kit you’re planning to wear.”
Choose a comfy sports bra and steer clear of overly low-cut bras. As I’ve learnt, boob blunders are very real if you wear the wrong bra.
“Avoid light-coloured kit too as sweat shows up and give loose or baggy tops a miss as they can flap and get in the way,” says Archer.
What should you wear to Hyrox?
Now you know what to avoid when it comes to your race day wardrobe, it’s a good idea to know what you should wear.
First up, shoes. The gym trainers you wear are super important – after all, half of the event is running.
“I wear a running shoe with a carbon plate, even for Hyrox, but choose something with good grip and supportive cushioning. Test them properly before race day and make sure they don’t slip on the sled push,” says Archer.
Not sure whether running shorts or leggings are best for your Hyrox outfit? “Shorts win every time because you need a full range of motion for lunges and burpees. Leggings can restrict your stride or bunch up,” says Archer.
However, Holly Haywood, Lead Instructor at Third Space Soho and Hyrox trainer says: “During some exercises where your body encounters the floor, such as lunges, leggings give you more protection from friction.”
With your sports bra, look for high support as burpees, runs and wall balls involve a lot of movement.
“You want your sports bra to be both supportive and comfortable so definitely go for the feel of the bra over the look,” says Haywood.
You might even want to wear a fitness tracker so you can keep tabs on your time and heart rate during race day.
“I use the COROS PACE Pro to see my heart rate and times. Hyrox is intense and heart rate spikes quickly so use your heart rate to stay controlled and avoid going out too hard,” adds Archer.
Oh, and don’t forget to pop a spare hairband or two on your wrist in case your hair comes loose and starts getting in your way.