Gen Z's Fitness Obsession: The Rise of Hyrox Championships

Sat Jan 31 2026 13:54:47 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Exploring the phenomenon of Hyrox, a fitness competition capturing the hearts of Gen Z, with participants spending thousands on events while embracing workout-centric lifestyles.

The Hyrox fitness competition is gaining immense popularity among young adults, especially Gen Z, who immerse themselves in this blend of running and intense workout challenges. Competitors like Allana Falconer and Jorell Hill share their stories of dedication, significant monetary investment, and how fitness has transformed their social lives.

Hyrox is a fitness craze that shows no signs of dying out - with 1.3 million people expected to compete in an event somewhere in the world this year.

The competition, which is split between running and fitness exercises, has proven particularly popular with young millennials and Generation Z - people in their twenties to early forties. Its rapidly growing popularity has been attributed to social media.

Fashionable looks are often a non-negotiable for competitors, with many choosing to compete in high-end fitness brands, matching their outfits with their team members. Allana Falconer, who works in sustainability and started competing in 2023, says she has fallen in love with it.

She has competed in 20 different races across six countries and 12 different cities. All my holidays revolve around Hyrox or I incorporate events into holidays, she tells the BBC World Service.

The 29-year-old recalls her most extravagant experience - spending £2,000 to travel to Chicago for the World Championships. For competitors like Evgenia Koroleva, founder of ONE LDN gym, the accumulating costs of travel and equipment can be daunting yet reflective of a broader commitment to fitness.

Hyrox has created this addiction for people who do it because they never really do one race. Once they do their first race, they sign up for another one, creating a competitive spirit within themselves, says Koroleva, noting that an athlete can easily spend between £500 to £1,000 over a weekend for participation.

Many contestants find themselves financially prioritizing fitness over leisure, highlighting a trend where exercise becomes part of their identity. Most athletes feel that the prices for Hyrox are fair due to the costs of larger event spaces and specialized equipment, said Kinnafick, a senior academic at Loughborough University.

Even with critiques about the steep costs, the fitness culture surrounding Hyrox continues to thrive among Gen Z, aligning their social lives with their commitment to maintaining a healthy lifestyle through competitive sports.

As the races draw eager participants, fans express that Hyrox is not just about competition, but about building a community and redefining how health and wellness are perceived by a generation willing to invest and grow in their fitness journey.