At CrossFit Surge, we are proud to offer two approaches to functional fitness, CrossFit and HYROX. Both approaches are excellent for getting in shape, improving your level of fitness, and helping you live a healthier lifestyle. Although similar in several ways, CrossFit and HYROX have their unique approach to help you achieve your fitness goals. So how do you know which approach is best for you? It may come down to skill level, athletic ability, time available to train, or just your preference of what you like. The following is a comparison of CrossFit and HYROX that may be useful in helping you decide which approach is best for you.
Format: CrossFit is constantly varied, functional movements, performed at high intensity. It is said that CrossFit helps you prepare for the known and unknowable. Being constantly varied or unpredictable can develop a broad, inclusive level of fitness that will help prepare an individual for competition and/or the demands of life. HYROX involves a fixed format of movements performed at moderate to high intensity. HYROX training is geared toward getting you ready for a HYROX race which involves the same fixed format every event. The consistent nature of HYROX helps the individual improve endurance and efficiency with movements which are necessary and required to be successful in HYROX races as well as with activities of daily living.
Modes of Exercise: Aerobic, Anaerobic, Gymnastics. Both CrossFlT and HYROX involve aerobic and anaerobic exercise although HYROX, given the typical duration of workouts, tends to have a greater aerobic focus. Don’t let this fool you as CrossFit is also an excellent way to aerobically condition. Additionally, CrossFit involves training and practicing gymnastics skills such as pull ups, muscle ups, and handstands.
Skill Level: CrossFit, given the inclusion of olympic lifts/use of barbells and gymnastics skills, typically requires a greater degree of skill and time needed for training/practicing. HYROX includes movements that are less complex, which allows for a broader inclusion of the population. In both, all workouts can be scaled and modified to the individual. HYROX exercises/movements are part of CrossFit programming, but not all CrossFit exercises/movements are part of HYROX. One could say, “CrossFit is HYROX, but HYROX is not CrossFit”.
Community: Both CrossFit and HYROX are offered in group classes, although individuals can train on their own. CrossFit and HYROX offer a welcoming and supportive community with members having a like-minded goal of improving their level of fitness. So which approach is best for you? CrossFit or HYROX? If you like the unpredictable nature and variability of workouts, then CrossFit is for you. If you like a more predictable/structured workout routine, then HYROX is the way to go. Do both approaches appeal to you? Well, we have you covered no matter what as membership to CrossFit Surge gives you access to CrossFit and HYROX training!