Fitness has always moved in waves in Korea. Hiking, yoga, Pilates and barre have each had their moment, and running club members still fill Seoul’s riverside paths on weeknights. The latest wave is Hyrox, a race that takes place entirely indoors.
One race has eight rounds. Each pairs a 1-kilometer run with one functional workout, from sled pushes and rowing to sandbag lunges and wall balls. The movements are simpler than those in CrossFit. Because participants alternate between running and strength work, they do not need to specialize in either.
Participants can race alone, in pairs or in four-person relays, with Open and Pro divisions for different fitness levels.
The sport started in Germany in 2017 and the first Korean race was held in February 2024, drawing 2,000 people. Celebrities such as Minho of Shinee and UFC fighter Kim Dong-hyun have since taken part, helping bring the sport to a wider audience.
Hyrox Seoul, set for Friday through Sunday at Kintex in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, is expected to draw about 19,000. Tickets sold out within an hour, leading organizers to add a third day.
Every Hyrox race worldwide uses the same workouts and standards, so a time set in Seoul can be compared directly with one set in New York. Many participants share their finisher medals and official times on social media, which has helped spread the sport’s competitive appeal.
The format’s flexibility appealed to Shin, a 35-year-old office worker.
“As someone who sits at a desk all day and isn’t in great shape, Hyrox felt a little more doable than CrossFit, and that made it more rewarding. Last year I entered a race as a team with three friends. Cheering each other on toward the same goal was motivating, and it feels like we picked up a healthy hobby together,” Shin said.
Whereas most runners measure themselves against the clock alone, Hyrox is built around taking on challenges together and sharing results. For participants like Shin, it offers clear goals and a sense of achievement that goes beyond simple exercise.
Brands follow the race
“Demand for hybrid training, which combines two or more disciplines instead of a single sport, is rising, and the related market is growing along with it,” an industry official said.
Because Hyrox combines running with strength work, athletes need shoes with both grip and cushioning, and sportswear brands have responded.
Puma has partnered with Hyrox since the first race and has been its official global sponsor since 2024. It now sells 68 Hyrox-related products, including the Deviate Nitro Elite 4 and the Activate Nitro TR training shoe. Its Deviate Nitro Elite 4 sold out on its first day of early sales.
With Puma holding the official sponsorship, Nike and Adidas cannot use the Hyrox name, so they market their shoes for the sport under the label “hybrid training.” Adidas launched the Adizero Dropset Pro in June, and Nike released the Nike Hybrid RN in October.
More than a race
Organizers see room for the event to grow beyond the race itself, according to Seo Jae-woo, country manager and adviser for the Korean operation of Hyrox.
“We’re looking for ways to make the event enjoyable for people who aren’t racing, so that it feels like a festival. There’s a lot of room for partnerships, such as a space for kids who come to cheer on their dads, a space for racers visiting from other countries and a space for recovery after an intense workout,” Seo said.
yoohong@heraldcorp.com
