Chris Hemsworth’s Centr Powers Hyrox
The list of major fitness trends for 2025 differs depending on the party issuing the list, but there are common predictions such as wearables, functional training, weight lifting, Pilates, recovery programs, personalized experience (use of personal trainers). Added to the list this year are the use of AI technology in fitness programs and Hyrox fitness games.
The next big thing
Hyrox, dubbed “the next big thing” in fitness, was developed and first staged in Germany in 2017 with only 618 participants. This fitness race has since grown exponentially with over 220,000 participants in the 2023-2024 games held across 30 cities worldwide with 500,000 onsite spectators. This number is expected to double as Hyrox plans to organize 60 races in 2025.
It is a race. So, of course, training and preparation are required from participants. Currently, there are 3,500 affiliated gyms worldwide where Hyrox-certified trainers prepare gym goers for the popular fitness battle.
Who do you compete with? The idea is you compete with yourself. Think of it as a fitness test that you can take with your gym community to assess your strengths and weaknesses, your achievements and advancements from working out, or to guide you on your fitness goal-setting. For many, signing up for a race is a good motivation to keep workout schedules regular.
Experts say that the popularity is due to the fact that you need not be very good at it to join, much like the marathons where you can just brisk walk all throughout despite everyone speeding past you. You can be bad and slow in the beginning but hopefully, with training, you will be better; you compete with yourself at your own pace and level.
The race has eight rounds or parts where you do a one-kilometer run, then a functional workout, repeated a total of eight times which can all be done indoors. The eight workouts interspersed with a kilometer run are 1000-meter ski erg, 50-meter sled push, 50 meter-sled pull, 80-meter burpee broad jump. 1,000-meter row, 200-meter farmers carry, 100-meter sandbag lunges, and 100 wall balls.
The elite athletes, with the 15 fastest times for men and women, compete in an elite race during the World Championships for a chance to win prize money.
Asia and Pacific, Hong Kong and Australia probably have hosted the most number of races, followed by Singapore, China, Korea, and Taiwan. Last August in Singapore, there were 6,185 competitors and before that 6,500 participated in a June Singapore event (in the same year). Majority of the joiners are fitness enthusiasts in their late 20s or early 30s.
Since training with the right equipment and certified trainer is important, Hyrox partnered up with Centr, the health and wellness ecosystem founded by Australian movie star Chris Hemsworth.
Last year, the new partnership started rolling out newly designed competition equipment with battle ropes, power sleds, interlocking bumper weight plates, eight-edges competition kettlebells, sandbags, wall balls, racks and rigs.
Hemsworth, renowned for his role as Thor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, is not only a leading actor but also a fitness enthusiast dedicated to promoting a healthy lifestyle. His fitness app, Centr, provides users with personalized training programs, meal plans, and mindfulness resources, emphasizing a holistic approach to wellness. The principles underlying Hyrox resonate with Hemsworth’s vision of fitness, where strength, endurance, and mental resilience intertwine.
Your healthiest and happiest self
“We designed a competition format that would provide for the healthiest and most complete test of fitness that was accessible to the widest possible population of participants through the rigorous application of sports science principles. Centr has provided the product while instinctively understanding the soul of our sport,” explained Christian Toetzke, the founder of Hyrox.
“At Centr, we strive to inspire everyone to be the healthiest and happiest version of themselves with the balance of movement, meals, and mind. We hope that this partnership gives them the tools, support, and community to realize their limitless potential,” said Andrew Sugerman, Centr’s CEO. The award-winning digital content of Centr will be made available to Hyrox competitors to support their race day preparations.
In a post, Centr founder Hemsworth congratulated everyone who participated in Hyrox New York where he expressed being stoked because Centr equipment was used. He lamented not being able to join and wished those participating in the Paris World Competition the best of luck.
Locally, there is news that there might be a Hyrox race scheduled here soon. What we know for sure is that Hyrox Performance Centers will sprout in the country, particularly in Metro Manila, by next year. These workout boxes will utilize official Hyrox Centr competition equipment to replicate the one used on race day. The Hyrox Performance Center will feature Hyrox group training which is a complete functional athletic workout program implementing endurance, strength, power, and aerobic capacity elements.
The fitness landscape has witnessed the popularity of gamification and the role of unique and challenging races designed to test one’s physical capabilities and mental endurance in sustaining and promoting exercise. Hyrox offers a distinctive blend of functional training, competition, and community. The design of the fitness race emphasizes not just endurance but also strength, agility, and mental fortitude.
What makes Hyrox appealing to many is its inclusive nature. The race is designed for participants of all skill levels and backgrounds. While elite athletes can test their mettle against the clock, beginners are encouraged to join in, making the competition a celebration of athleticism rather than an exclusive event.
It also encourages the formation of a community as participants often train together, forming bonds that extend beyond the competition. The shared experience of training for a common goal nurtures camaraderie and support, which is essential in a world where individualism often prevails.
Fitness trends shift towards functional training, and Hyrox stands out by emphasizing movements that mimic everyday activities. This focus appeals to a broad audience seeking practical fitness solutions that enhance their daily lives. By combining running with exercises that develop strength and agility, Hyrox promotes well-rounded physical conditioning, making it an attractive option for fitness seekers.
As more people seek fitness solutions that integrate fun, functionality, and social connection, Hyrox races are likely to continue their domination in the fitness space.
The connection between Hyrox and Chris Hemsworth’s Centr underscores a broader movement within the fitness industry—one that advocates for a comprehensive approach to health, emphasizing not just physical prowess but also the enjoyment and community that comes from engaging in fitness together.
Ultimately, both Hyrox and Centr highlight the transformative power of fitness, encouraging individuals to push their limits while fostering a supportive environment where everyone can thrive.
