What started in 2017 with just 650 participants has exploded into a global phenomenon, drawing more than 650,000 competitors worldwide in 2024. HYROX races have surged in popularity, with demand showing no signs of slowing. The hybrid competition blends functional fitness stations with short runs, creating a challenge that sits somewhere between a half-marathon and a traditional CrossFit event. The result is a race that tests strength, endurance, and mental grit in a way few other competitions can.
As HYROX carves out its own lane, elite competitors have emerged. One of those athletes is Cole Learn, an Elite 15 athlete and world record holder who has placed first in multiple Men’s Pro divisions this year. Learn has been an athlete his entire life, always scouting out new sports to play. Before finding HYROX, he played football and competed in CrossFit competitions.
Learn’s HYROX training routine is intense, combining multiple strength and cardio sessions throughout the day. To improve his running capacity, he focuses on threshold running intervals. He builds strength with full-body lifting workouts, while HYROX-specific conditioning comes from circuits that feature exercises seen in races like wall balls and burpee broad jumps.
With eight functional workout stations designed to get heart rates up, and a total of five miles to run between them, HYROX race preparation is critical. To fuel his competitions, Learn admits his meals are on the “bland” side. Before and on the day of a race, his go-to meal is white rice with honey and a small portion of ground turkey.
Recovery is equally important. To balance the demands of being a hybrid athlete, Learn focuses on eating enough and getting at least eight hours of sleep each night.
“Without these 2 things in line, everything else will fall apart,” he tells Men’s Journal. “I have built my schedule around the demands of being a top-level athlete, so my days are focused on recovery and minimal steps between sessions on my hard training days.”
