Everyone Has a Hyrox Friend Now

By now, who hasn’t come across someone who’s got into Hyrox and won’t stop talking about it? To think that Hyrox started in Germany in 2017 as a niche endurance race.

These days, some might call it an international cult – for the 2025/2026 season, 1.5 million participants across 95 cities took part in this timed competition, which blends cardio and strength training, switching between 1km runs and eight workout stations, including sled pushes and pulls, and burpee broad jumps.

For model and creative strategist Merwin Wong, a self-confessed fitness obsessive who completed his first Hyrox race earlier this year, the appeal has less to do with punishment than purpose.

“A regular gym session is often personal and self-directed. With Hyrox, there’s a race day, a finish line, and measurable results. Training suddenly has a clear purpose because you’re preparing for something specific,” he says.

Here, he dishes more on his Hyrox journey:

What got you into Hyrox in the first place?

“I’ve always enjoyed competitive sports and pushing myself physically. Seeing friends participate in Hyrox made me curious.”

What did you expect from your first Hyrox?

“Before my first race, I thought Hyrox was mainly about physical fitness. I assumed the biggest challenge would come from the workout stations themselves.”

Then you actually did it. What surprised you most?

“After doing it, I realised there’s a lot more strategy involved than I expected. Pacing, race management and movement efficiency all play a huge role, especially if you’re chasing a specific time goal. In many ways, it’s just as mentally challenging as it is physically demanding.”

Why do you think everyone’s suddenly obsessed with Hyrox?

“Hyrox sits in a sweet spot between competition and accessibility. It’s something many gym-goers can realistically work towards. The format is also easy to understand: run one kilometre, complete a station and repeat. It gives people a tangible goal beyond simply working out.

Completing a difficult event gives you a genuine sense of accomplishment. Beyond that, there’s a huge community behind Hyrox. The shared experience creates a sense of belonging and motivates people to keep pushing themselves.”

What does Hyrox offer that a regular gym session doesn’t?

“A regular gym session is often very personal and self-directed. With Hyrox, there’s a race day, a finish line, and measurable results. Training suddenly has a clear purpose because you’re preparing for something specific rather than just exercising for the sake of it.”

What’s something you wish you’d known before your first race?

“I wish I’d understood the importance of pacing. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement and start too aggressively. The athletes who perform best are usually the ones who manage their effort consistently from start to finish.”

Would you do another Hyrox?

“Definitely. I’ve only done the doubles event so far, so I’d love to take on the solo category next. I also like the idea of setting a target time and continuously working towards improving it.”

Advice for others?

“Most people underestimate how capable they are. The reality is that most people can complete the eight stations and the eight-kilometre run — it’s really just a matter of how fast you want to do it. Focus on consistency rather than perfection, trust the training process, and don’t be afraid to start before you feel ready.”

PHOTOGRAPHY ATHIRAH ANNISSA STYLING PANG JIA WEI ART DIRECTION JONATHAN CHIA

HAIR & MAKEUP SHA SHAMSI, USING SEBASTIAN PROFESSIONAL AND DIOR BEAUTY

An adapted version of this article first appeared in Volume 9 of F ZINE.