Hyrox has gone from a niche fitness race to one of the most talked-about training trends in the world. While it still divides opinion, its popularity is hard to ignore.

For coach MJ Sutton, the shift from everyday gym training to a more Hyrox-focused approach has been life-changing.

‘The biggest finding from changing my training from just being a day-to-day gym-goer to a more hybrid style of training has been how it equips you for life,’ he says. ‘You get fitter, stronger, leaner and more confident.’

Sutton has documented his journey from complete beginner to preparing for his first Hyrox World Championships, describing the process as transformative both mentally and physically.

‘I didn’t come into this sport a ready-made athlete,’ he shared. ‘I’ve had to work so, so hard to get to my current level, and there is still so much work to do to keep progressing.’

Sutton’s Hyrox training transformation

How Hyrox Training Changed His Fitness

Sutton explains that his journey began with learning the fundamentals: how to perform the movements correctly, how to train for the demands of the sport and, perhaps most importantly, how to run properly.

‘I genuinely didn’t know what I was doing,’ he admits.

Arguably, that’s part of Hyrox’s appeal.

You don’t need to start as an elite athlete. Most of the movements are relatively low-skill, making the competition accessible to a broad range of people regardless of their fitness background.

Why Hyrox Appeals to Everyday Gym-Goers

For Sutton, the physical transformation has almost been a by-product of chasing performance.

‘The change in my body is just a by-product of doing everything I can to become a better Hyrox athlete,’ he says.

He also credits the sport’s growing community for helping people stay motivated and continue improving.

‘There’s a great sense of community within the Hyrox space,’ he says.

That combination of endurance, strength and shared purpose is a big reason why the format has exploded in popularity over the last few years.

It ‘beats all other forms of training,’ Sutton concludes.

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Kate is a fitness writer for Men’s Health UK where she contributes regular workouts, training tips and nutrition guides. She has a post graduate diploma in Sports Performance Nutrition and before joining Men’s Health she was a nutritionist, fitness writer and personal trainer with over 5k hours coaching on the gym floor. Kate has a keen interest in volunteering for animal shelters and when she isn’t lifting weights in her garden, she can be found walking her rescue dog.