I'm a 25-year-old Product Line Manager at NOBULL, and I'm all in on health, wellness, and doing hard things. So when my boss (a fitness fanatic) challenged me to compete in a HYROX race, I didn't hesitate. I said yes.

Why Fitness Racing Is Booming

The rapid rise of fitness racing isn't random — it reflects a major cultural shift. We're moving away from isolated fitness identities: The triathlete shouting 'on your left.' The peaceful yogi on the mat. The bodybuilder chugging protein in the corner. Today, people are chasing real, balanced health over what just feels good. Strength, cardio, and mobility aren't optional anymore –– they're the foundation.

What's exciting about events like HYROX is that they require a balanced approach. Not just strength or endurance, but both ––plus mobility, strategy, and mindset. They make your training measurable with a goal that demands a balanced training schedule.

How to Train for a Fitness Race

To compete in a fitness race, your training should be broken into three key pillars:

• Strength Focus — Build raw power
• Endurance Focus — Improve aerobic capacity
• Functional Fitness — Combine strength and speed under fatigue

What you focus on depends on your baseline. If you're strong, work on running. If you're fast, build strength. For me, running was my weakness — so I started jogging two miles to work every day and added weekend runs, too. My training week looked like this:

I was lucky that my partner Oliver was there to train with me and keep me motivated along the way. Having the race on the schedule pushed us both to challenge ourselves outside of our typical domains.

How to Fuel for a Fitness Race

In general, my approach to eating is simple. I've experimented with different diets over the years — and while they can be great for short-term discipline, they're often hard to maintain long-term. What's worked best for me is following a set of sustainable guidelines that keep me on track, without burning me out. This is exactly how I fueled my training in the lead-up to the race:

• Eat real, whole foods: Focus on single ingredients rather than highly processed foods.
• Protein is king: Aim to eat protein at every meal to stay full, build lean muscle, and boost your metabolism.
• Balanced meals: Stick to this macro guide:
  • 40–50% Protein: eggs, lean meat, fish, dairy
  • 30–40% Healthy Fats: olive oil, avocado, nuts, seeds
  • 10–30% Carbs: prioritize complex carbs like vegetables, fruits, grains
• Limit added sugar: Especially hidden ones in sauces, dressings, or snacks. (Look for brands like Primal Kitchen.)
• Follow the 80/20 rule: Stay dialed 80% of the time, enjoy life the other 20%. That's how you make it sustainable.

The day before the race, I focus on clean, nutrient-dense meals — usually a grain or salad bowl loaded with veggies, lean meat, and healthy fats like nuts or avocado. I tend to overeat when I'm anxious, so I lean into high-volume, low-calorie foods to stay full without feeling heavy.

On race day, I keep it light. You're not building muscle at that point — you're fueling to perform. I'll usually have something simple like a granola bar and an apple. The goal is to get quick, digestible carbs to carry you through without overdoing it.

How to Optimize Your Sleep

One of the most important parts of training is sleep. I try to get at least 7-8 hours every night, especially during a heavy training cycle. In the week leading up to a HYROX race, I make sleep an even bigger priority — the more, the better. The night before the race can be tricky. I tend to get a little anxious, which makes falling asleep harder. When I know that's going to happen, I get in bed early and put on a podcast. Something boring — but just interesting enough.

Race Weekend: The HYROX Experience

Although Oliver got injured before race day, he still joined me on the trip to Washington. We landed Friday evening, crushed tacos (5 each), and got some rest. On Saturday, we checked out the HYROX venue and were blown away — hundreds of athletes and an even bigger crowd of supporters. The energy was electric. People from every background were racing and cheering. It felt inclusive and alive.

Race Day: Show Up and Go

I was up at 6:00 AM for an 8:30 AM heat. I was the first one there and met my teammate, Hayden. We hadn't trained together before, so we set a loose strategy – even though during the race, we might end up winging it. Then we entered the starting tunnel, where a hype video and countdown got the adrenaline pumping. I felt like a professional athlete stepping into an arena.

The Race

Once the whistle blew, we paced ourselves. It's easy to burn out early, but we stayed steady. We divided the movements based on strengths — I pushed where I felt strong, and Hayden did the same. The first half felt like time was standing still — then suddenly it flew. We powered through to the wall balls, then crossed the finish line. Oliver was there cheering and congratulating us at the end. It was only 9:30 AM — I wouldn't have wanted to start my day any other way.

Fitness racing is more than a trend.

It's physical. It's mental. It's an opportunity to invest in your health. And it's worth saying yes to.