One of the reasons I love HYROX is that the sport never stands still.

Every week there are new races, new podcasts, new ideas and new conversations shaping where the sport is heading.

I spend a lot of time listening to podcasts, following the Elite 15 and reflecting on my own training.

Rather than summarising everything I've consumed, I want to share the ideas that genuinely changed the way I'm thinking about HYROX this week.

Hopefully they'll help you too.

This Week in HYROX

Before diving into this week's main topic, three stories caught my attention.

1. HYROX could be valued at up to €1 billion.

L Catterton, backed by LVMH (Louis Vuitton), is reportedly in talks to buy a majority stake in HYROX for €700 million to €1 billion.

Whether the deal happens or not, it shows just how fast the sport is growing.

2. The 2026/27 Race Calendar Is Live.

The new race calendar is out, allowing athletes to start planning their season.

HYROX may run all year—but that doesn't necessarily mean we should. More on that below. 

3. Pelayo Menendez's Achilles Comeback.

Listening to Pelayo on the Rox Lyfe Podcast was a reminder that recovery isn't a setback.

Sometimes it's the smartest training you'll do.

1. Missing One Session Won't Ruin Your Race

One of the biggest changes I've made over the last year has nothing to do with intervals, VO₂ max or strength training.

It's how I think.

I used to panic whenever I missed a session.

If my programme said six sessions this week and I only managed five, I'd immediately start trying to move sessions around.

I'd double up.

Train tired.

Rush recovery.

Instead of improving my training, I was making it worse.

Now I look at it completely differently.

Imagine you're following a 12-week HYROX programme.

Six sessions each week.

That's 72 training sessions.

If you miss three or four of those because life gets in the way...

Does that really ruin your race?

Probably not.

But turning ten or fifteen sessions into poor-quality sessions because you're constantly tired, stressed and chasing the programme almost certainly will.

That mindset has completely changed my approach.

If I miss one session now, I don't panic.

I recover.

I move on.

Because I'm thinking much longer term than one workout.

Ironically, once I stopped trying to complete every session perfectly, the overall quality of my training improved.

2. HYROX Doesn't Really Have An Off-Season Anymore

The release of the new race calendar got me thinking.

There used to be an obvious off-season.

Now there really isn't.

There's almost always another race somewhere in the world.

That's brilliant for the sport.

But just because HYROX races continue all year doesn't mean your body should.

Most athletes still need periods where training becomes easier.

Not because they're getting weaker.

Because they're preparing to get stronger again.

Recovery isn't the opposite of progress.

Recovery is part of progress.

3. Train For Next Year, Not Just Your Next Race

One thing I've completely changed over the last year is my timeframe.

I used to think about the next race.

Now I think about the next five years.

If I wake up after a terrible night's sleep...

If work has been stressful...

If family life has been demanding...

I'm far more comfortable pulling a session back or even taking a day off.

Because my best HYROX performance won't be decided by one missed workout.

It'll be decided by hundreds of good sessions built consistently over many years.

Ironically, taking the pressure off has actually made me enjoy training more.

And I suspect it'll probably lead to better performances too.

Behind The Rox Guys

Listening to Pelayo's Achilles story really hit home for me.

I've been dealing with Achilles tendinopathy myself, and it's one of the reasons we're developing our upcoming Compression & Performance Socks for HYROX.

For many athletes—particularly those new to HYROX—the Achilles and calves take an enormous amount of load, especially through sled pushes and high running volumes.

We're taking our time because we'd rather release a product athletes trust than simply release it quickly.

Alongside that, we're continuing development of our next-generation Full Finger Gloves for HYROX, while preparing the next restock of our Half Finger Gloves for HYROX.

Like training, great products can't be rushed.

Continue Your HYROX Journey

If you're preparing for your next race, you might find these useful.

🧤 Shop Our Gloves for HYROX
→ Link: https://www.theroxguys.com

📏 Find Your Perfect Glove Size
→ theroxguys.com/pages/glvz-size-guide

📷 Follow The Rox Guys on Instagram
→ https://www.instagram.com/theroxguys

🎥 Watch our YouTube Channel
→ https://www.youtube.com/@TheRoxGuys 

Thanks for reading.

Every week I'll share the biggest ideas, lessons and conversations shaping my thinking around HYROX—so hopefully you can spend less time trying to consume everything yourself and more time training.

If you enjoyed this week's blog, I'd really appreciate it if you shared it with a training partner or someone preparing for their next HYROX race.

See you next week.

- Ruairi

Next Week: Everything You Need to Know About HYROX Doubles. Including Why It Isn't Always "Easier" than Singles. 

Featured Athletes

Kalern Thomas (@kalernthomas2) – Sled Pull
Kellie Lei Lowry (@kellyleiiii97) – Wall Ball 

Photography: Chris Kamau (@chris_k_wanjau)