Community

Training for HYROX @ NYSC

May 28, 2025

HYROX is the sport for everyone – it is a race that combines both running & functional workout stations, where participants run 1km, followed by 1 functional workout station, repeated eight times. As an official training site for HYROX, NYSC is proud to provide members with everything they need to train for race day. We recently raffled off tickets to the NYC HYROX Race to 3 lucky winners. Race day is right around the corner, so we took the opportunity to sit down with our ticket winners and hear about their training, their thoughts going into race day, and the community they’ve found through HYROX at NYSC. Read our Q&A with Christina, Lisa, and Gladimir to hear about all things HYROX. 

Please tell us about your fitness journey.
Christina: Fitness has always been an essential part of my life. It has evolved over time as I explored different workouts. I originally participated in the Saturday morning yoga class at Astoria, which provided balance and mindfulness before finding HYROX. The workouts have pushed my endurance, strength, and mental grit in ways I hadn't experienced before. Training alongside other competitors has made the journey even more enjoyable.

Lisa: I started to lift in high school. I worked out with two dumbbells during the pandemic before joining a gym, but it wasn’t until 2022 that I started to consistently lift and do occasional runs on the treadmill. I had been underweight chasing skinny instead of strong before I became more consistent at the gym. I joined NYSC at the end of 2022 after working out at a different gym, and started lifting 5-6x a week. Now a senior in college, I have been training with run clubs 4-6x a week, am still lifting, and always learning along the journey. I became far more mindful about the importance of recovery and food, too.

Gladimir:  I've always been active. Growing up, I played sports like basketball, tennis, and football and consistently incorporated strength training into my routine. In my mid-20s, I began to struggle with my weight. My health took a backseat and I often yo-yoed due to poor eating habits. During the pandemic, I made a shift. I started cooking more, training consistently, and took up running. I completed my first marathon virtually in 2020, and since then I’ve run three NYC Marathons and one in Berlin. I currently have a bid for the Chicago Marathon and am training for my first HYROX. I’m proud to say I’m now in the best shape of my life.

How did you get involved with HYROX?
C: I started HYROX classes at NYSC Astoria in February 2025 after my usual yoga class at the same time became oversubscribed. I was looking for a change and stumbled upon HYROX training and it turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve made. It’s been challenging but so much fun. It’s pushed me in ways I didn’t expect. The combination of intense training and a strong community keep me coming back.

L: I got into running in the beginning of 2023 and joined run clubs throughout the city, gaining a community of runner friends. Through their social media pages, I found out about HYROX since many people in the running community compete. I was instantly invested, especially since it involves lifting and running which I do every day.

G: I've been running marathons for the past few years and HYROX kept popping up on my social feed. I'm always looking for new ways to challenge myself, and since my training usually revolves around traditional strength work and long-distance running, HYROX felt like the perfect way to combine both disciplines. It’s a new kind of test for me -- and I’m all in.

What has your HYROX training looked like?
C: My training has revolved around the HYROX classes at NYSC Astoria and has also included solo-training where I’ve focused on building endurance, strength, and conditioning. One of the most challenging stations has been the sled pull and push, but seeing my improvement week after week has been incredibly encouraging. Coach Lumi’s programming on Saturdays has made each week’s group class very engaging and effective, and training alongside classmates has made the tough workouts much more enjoyable. My solo training has been focused on technique and load so that I show up to my group classes a little bit better than the previous week!

L: I'm in the gym 3x a week working a circuit on top of my regular lifting workout — half a mile on the treadmill at tempo pace plus rounds on rowing, ski erg, farmer's carry, lunges, and burpees. On the days where I am running outside of the gym, I still head to the gym to practice rowing 1000m plus rounds of farmer's carry, lunges, ski erg, and burpees.

G: I’ve been training consistently for the last couple months with a combination of HIIT training, clean diet, cardio, and no alcohol.

I’ve been attending the HYROX circuit classes on Saturdays at Astoria with Coach Lumi. They’ve been a great confidence booster and an amazing way to push myself. The energy and support from the community make it a motivating environment, and the workouts really help highlight what I need to improve for race day.

How are you feeling about your upcoming race?
C: I’m looking forward to it! My focus is on finishing strong, but honestly, the entire journey — training, meeting other competitors, and being part of the HYROX community — has already been so rewarding. It’s been an incredible experience and race day will be a chance to put all the hard work to the test.

My main goal is to complete the race feeling strong and proud of the effort I’ve put in. While I’d love to hit a solid time, my priority is to push myself, embrace the challenge, and enjoy the moment. Regardless of the results, crossing the finish line will be a huge accomplishment.

L: I am feeling great about the competition and am more than ready to take on every kilometer and exercise. I hope to achieve a sub 1:20 or even better, a sub 1:10.

G: I’m feeling pretty good about the competition. I’m pretty excited and anxious at the same time. I'm not putting too much pressure on myself since it's my first one, but I will be happy with a sub 1:30.

What has participating in HYROX taught you?
C: HYROX training has taught me how to embrace challenges and push myself beyond my comfort zone. The most difficult workouts have reminded me of the importance of perseverance and gradual progress. Seeing my improvement, especially on the sled pull and push, has reinforced that consistency leads to results. More than anything, HYROX has shown me how a strong fitness community can turn even the toughest workouts into an enjoyable experience.

L: It has taught me that it is not as easy as it might seem, even if I have been lifting weights and running.

G: Training for HYROX has been a powerful reminder that showing up for yourself — day in and day out — matters more than perfection. It’s taught me that progress is built one rep, one run, and one challenge at a time. The journey is humbling, but it’s also empowering. There’s always room to grow and every drop of effort adds up to something greater than you imagined.