ATHX vs HYROX: distance, stations, price & difficulty compared (2026-27)
ATHX has 37 upcoming events in 14 countries (entry €94–€275, $129–$269 +3 currencies); HYROX has 90 upcoming events in 35 countries (entry €40–€145, £40–£128 +21 currencies). Data from 127 event listings, updated daily.
Verdict
ATHX: 3 timed workouts in a 2.5 h session. HYROX: 8 × 1 km runs + 8 stations. HYROX is cheaper to enter (from €40 vs €94). Both are rated Intermediate. HYROX has more upcoming events (90 in 35 countries vs 37 in 14 countries).
2.5-hour hybrid fitness test: strength, endurance and MetCon zones
Indoor fitness race: 8 x 1 km runs, each followed by a workout station
Key differences
- FormatATHX: 2.5-hour continuous competition across 6 zones: 3 scored workouts (Strength, Endurance, MetCon X) separated by warm-up, refuel and recovery zonesHYROX: 8 × 1 km runs, each followed by a functional workout station
- Running / distanceATHX: Run/row intervals inside the 30-min Endurance zone (2026: Lite 500 m, ATHX 750 m, Pro 1 km; 22-min cap); no running between workoutsHYROX: 8 km
- Stations / obstaclesATHX: Strength 20 min (1RM strict press, 3RM back squat, 5RM deadlift) · Endurance 30 min (run + row) · MetCon X 30 min (7 stations, 25-min cap)HYROX: 8 stations: SkiErg 1000 m, Sled Push 50 m, Sled Pull 50 m, Burpee Broad Jumps 80 m, Row 1000 m, Farmers Carry 200 m, Sandbag Lunges 100 m, Wall Balls 100
- DivisionsATHX: ATHX Lite (pairs only), ATHX, ATHX Pro; solo or pairs (same-sex or mixed)HYROX: Singles (Open/Pro), Doubles, Relay (4)
- DifficultyATHX: IntermediateHYROX: Intermediate
- Entry price (upcoming events)ATHX: €94–€275, $129–$269 +3 currenciesHYROX: €40–€145, £40–£128 +21 currencies
- VenueATHX: Indoor exhibition and convention centresHYROX: Indoor exhibition halls
- Typical finish timeATHX: Fixed 2 h 30 min timeline (30 min warm-up, 20 + 30 + 30 min workouts, 10 min refuel, 30 min recovery)HYROX: 75 min
- Upcoming eventsATHX: 37 events in 14 countriesHYROX: 90 events in 35 countries
ATHX vs HYROX side by side
Format facts from the organisers: athxgames.com, athxgames.com, athxgames.com, hyrox.com. Event counts and prices from race.fitness listings.
Next ATHX races
- ATHX Amsterdam 2026 · 7 Nov 2026
- ATHX Los Angeles 2026 · 7 Nov 2026
- ATHX Finals 2026 · 27 Nov 2026
Next HYROX races
- HYROX Düsseldorf · 11 Nov 2026
- HYROX Barcelona · 11 Nov 2026
- HYROX Dublin · 11 Nov 2026
What is ATHX?
ATHX is a UK-born hybrid fitness competition, co-founded by coach Ollie Marchon, that now runs events across the UK, Europe and the United States. Each ATHX event is a continuous 2.5-hour session across six zones. Every competitor completes the same three workouts: a Strength zone (20 minutes), an Endurance zone (30 minutes) and a MetCon X zone (30 minutes). These are separated by a warm-up zone, a refuel zone and a recovery zone. The workouts and movement standards are published for each season.
Athletes enter as singles or pairs, in an ATHX or a harder ATHX PRO category, and pairs can be same-sex or mixed. Season results lead to the ATHX Finals, held in Lisbon in 2026. The fixed rest periods and clear divisions make ATHX accessible to first-timers, while the strength element suits athletes who lift as well as run and row.
What is HYROX?
HYROX is an indoor fitness race in which athletes run 1 km and then complete one functional workout station, repeated eight times. The stations and their order are fixed: 1,000 m SkiErg, 50 m sled push, 50 m sled pull, 80 m burpee broad jumps, 1,000 m row, 200 m farmers carry, 100 m sandbag lunges and 100 wall balls. Because the format is the same worldwide, results feed global leaderboards and a World Championship at the end of each season.
HYROX launched in Hamburg, Germany, in 2017 and is run by HYROX World GmbH. It was created by race organiser Christian Toetzke with Olympic medallist Moritz Fürste and marketing expert Michael Trautmann. Races take place in large exhibition halls, with start waves throughout the day. Divisions include Open, Pro (heavier weights), Doubles and a four-person Relay. There is no time cap and no qualification needed for age-group entry, so HYROX suits first-time racers as well as competitive hybrid athletes.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between ATHX and HYROX?
ATHX: 2.5-hour continuous competition across 6 zones: 3 scored workouts (Strength, Endurance, MetCon X) separated by warm-up, refuel and recovery zones (running: Run/row intervals inside the 30-min Endurance zone (2026: Lite 500 m, ATHX 750 m, Pro 1 km; 22-min cap); no running between workouts). HYROX: 8 × 1 km runs, each followed by a functional workout station (running: 8 km).
Is ATHX harder than HYROX?
Both are rated Intermediate, so neither is clearly harder on paper. The tests differ, though: ATHX is 3 timed workouts in a 2.5 h session; HYROX is 8 × 1 km runs + 8 stations. How hard either feels depends on the division you enter: ATHX offers ATHX Lite (pairs only), ATHX, ATHX Pro; solo or pairs (same-sex or mixed); HYROX offers Singles (Open/Pro), Doubles, Relay (4).
How many ATHX and HYROX races are coming up?
Race.Fitness lists 37 upcoming ATHX events in 14 countries (United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Portugal, France) and 90 upcoming HYROX events in 35 countries (United States, France, Netherlands, United Kingdom, Spain).
Is ATHX or HYROX cheaper to enter?
Entry prices for upcoming events: ATHX €94–€275, $129–$269 +3 currencies; HYROX €40–€145, £40–£128 +21 currencies. Prices vary by division, ticket wave and country.
When is the next ATHX or HYROX race?
The next ATHX event is ATHX Amsterdam 2026 on 7 Nov 2026. The next HYROX event is HYROX Düsseldorf on 11 Nov 2026.
Which is better for beginners, ATHX or HYROX?
Both ATHX and HYROX need a base of running and strength fitness. Check each event’s divisions: most offer an open or team option that is easier than the pro or elite level.