When Should You Move from HYROX Open to Pro Division? (and Other HYROX Questions Answered)

[@paulgillingham6466]

This is so interesting as so many people asked me the same question after winning in Basel. My focus this season is to compete in the open category and see how I get on. I know I’ll have to go pro at the WC but for the rest of the season I want to see how well I can get on in the open category.

[@dr.stefanpilz1876]

Congratulations for your awesome performance in Basel!

[@paulgillingham6466]

@@dr.stefanpilz1876 thank you 🙏 I appreciate the kind words Stefan and well done to you too

[@roxlyfe]

Let me know your thoughts. Do you agree? One other factor that some athletes take into account when deciding what division to compete in is qualifying for the World Championships. I know athletes who would prefer to compete at Pro but enter the Open to gain their qualifying spot.

[@rowalong]

GREAT answer for rowing!!!!

[@roxlyfe]

Thank you - I knew you'd appreciate that!

[@Yetifur003658]

That's a very interesting question. I haven't even completed one Hyrox so not sure my opinion counts for much..! I've never thought of the Open and Pro being considered separate categories, more that the Open was for beginners / those less capable and that Pro was for the stronger, more accomplished athletes - something to aspire to for everyone. Like I said, I am a newbie though so probably off the mark! I've completed in a quite few sports where you get people winning by a big margin and to be honest it can be a bit demotivating for novices when these guys that have been around for a bit, won a few other races and should really be racing against people in their own ability group. That said though, the heavier Hyrox weights might be too much for a lightweight guy, who's a good runner, who's winning the open. That said, this isn't just a running race! Personally, I'd love to get strong enough to compete in the pro category. It's a moot point though as I'm pretty average but if I did ever get in the top three in the open category, I like to think I'd move up and give someone else a crack at glory! That said, I'm a bigger (maybe not stronger) guy though so might be more realistic for me to move those weights... At the end of the day, it seems to be down to the individual to make their own choice at the moment

[@xiaoningsmith4497]

I couldn't agree more that there should be an oepn division at World Championship! People should go to the World Championship competing in the divison that they qualified in, and not everyone is able to do the Pro weights. I qualified in both of the Hyrox competitions I did (New York and Dallas)，and I almost died in Vegas lol... Anyways, thank you for all the awsome vidoes you've been putting out :)

[@roxlyfe]

Yeah, its a very different event at such different weights. Early days in the sport still, maybe its something they will eventually move towards. Thank you!

[@woodsyworkout]

Another great video, clarifies a lot

[@roxlyfe]

Thanks mate, appreciate it!

[@kandamy1]

The pro/open category issue could be alleviated by changing the names to heavy/light weight categories. And as you suggested, you qualify for championship races in the division you originally won. For me, as a 60 year old female coming from an endurance (triathlon/ ultrarunning) background, I don't think it will ever be worth me training up to the heavier weights- I'd have to give up too much on the endurance side.

[@roxlyfe]

From what I understand, there's some hesitation to have both divisions at the World Championships so as to not have 2 different champions at each age group (and possibly some gaming from athletes who would normally compete in Pro division, but think they have a better chance of winning Open, etc). I should add - since I recorded this - HYROX made some changes, so that for aged 60+, the world championships wont be at the heavier weights. A good move I think (and I think there's justification to make it younger than that in time).

[@neilobrien5894]

Thanks for that! Didn’t realise there was a world champs for both Pro & open, just thought it was pro.

[@roxlyfe]

Sorry I might not have been completely clear. At the world champs, everyone uses Pro weights. I was saying Id like to see both divisions at the world champs but, right now, its only pro weights used. Where the confusion may have come in is that you can qualify for the world champs through your performance in either the Pro division or Open division.

[@neilobrien5894]

I get it now! Appreciate the response, you’re putting out great content.

[@roxlyfe]

@@neilobrien5894 Thanks!

[@ScottishJazzman]

@Roxlyfe - I’ve just tried to book into London November 2023, sold out already! 😫 Now, I’ve considered throwing caution to the wind and just booking in for the pro division… thoughts? What’s the worst that could happen? 🥴

[@roxlyfe]

Hey! Hard for me to say tbh without knowing you! If you think you have the strength to move the weights then go for it, it doesnt matter how fast or slow you go overall whatever division you are in - you just need to be able to move the weights. The sleds in particular can feel much heavier in the Pro division.

[@ScottishJazzman]

@@roxlyfe For sure, and thanks for the response! for what it’s worth, I had set myself an Open target of 70 mins. Next on the list is to visit a partner gym which has a sled (David Lloyd, but my branch doesn’t yet have one - getting one “this summer”…). If I can move it with 185kg, I’m thinking I’ll go for it 😁 Then I can be sensible and book in to the Open further in advance when they release next year’s schedule! Any idea when they release. This (or are you aware of any rumours?)? Really enjoying your site btw 👍

[@roxlyfe]

@@ScottishJazzman Sounds like a plan! No sorry no ideas when more will be announced - Im guessing, in the UK, there is Manchester, Glasgow and London still to come but dont hold me to that!

[@paulprothero9997]

Those who have done open and pro… how do their times differ?

[@roxlyfe]

I had a quick look at this a while ago. It varies a lot between athletes - here's what I found at the time from a reasonably small sample size - instagram.com/p/CfI7xhPAF53/

[@altyalt-s4j]

🍭 just comment on my vid