A Guide to Inclusive Fitness Competition

HYROX, a global fitness race renowned for its challenging combination of running and functional movements, has expanded its inclusivity with the introduction of the HYROX Adaptive Division. This division welcomes athletes with permanent impairments, providing a platform to showcase their strength, resilience, and fitness prowess.

This comprehensive guide delves into the HYROX Adaptive Division, exploring its various categories, workout adaptations, and the inspiring spirit of inclusivity that drives it.

What is the HYROX Adaptive Division?

The HYROX Adaptive Division is designed for athletes with permanent impairments, ensuring they have the opportunity to compete in a modified version of the standard HYROX race. Athletes compete in categories based on the nature of their impairment, allowing for a level playing field and fair competition.

Temporary injuries do not qualify for the Adaptive categories.

The HYROX Adaptive Division embodies the core values of inclusivity and accessibility, empowering athletes of all abilities to experience the thrill of HYROX and push their limits.

HYROX Adaptive Categories

The HYROX Adaptive Division is divided into six main categories, each addressing specific impairments:

• Lower Limb Impairment: This category includes athletes with impairments affecting the lower extremities, such as partial or complete loss of function in one or both legs.
• Upper Limb Impairment: Athletes with impairments in one or both upper extremities, impacting the arms, hands, or shoulders, compete in this category.
• Short Stature Impairment: This category is for athletes with significantly shorter height due to conditions like skeletal dysplasia.
• Visual/Hearing Impairment: Athletes with partial or complete loss of vision or hearing fall under this category. These athletes can compete with a guide runner.
• Neurological Impairment: This category is further divided into two sub-divisions:
  • Neurological Major: Athletes with severe neurological impairments affecting two or more extremities, such as paraplegia or hemiplegia, compete in this category.
  • Neurological Minor: This category includes athletes with minor limitations, typically affecting a single extremity, resulting from conditions like peripheral nerve diseases.
• Seated Impairment: This category is broken down into three sub-divisions:
  • Seated With Hip Function (SWHF): Athletes in this category retain full or partial hip function but use a wheelchair for mobility.
  • Seated Without Hip Function (SWOHF): This category is for athletes who use a wheelchair and lack functional hip movement.
  • Seated Without Core Function (SWOC): Athletes in this category use wheelchairs and have impairments affecting both hip and core function.

If an athlete’s impairment doesn’t fit into these listed divisions, HYROX encourages direct contact to ensure an inclusive and accurate classification process.

Adaptations and Modifications

To cater to the diverse needs of athletes in the Adaptive Division, HYROX implements modifications to its standard workout stations:

• Running/Pushing Distance: While most athletes run or push 1000 meters between workouts, the distance is adjusted for some categories. For instance, athletes with Neurological Major or SWOC impairments complete approximately 350 meters.
• Guide Runners: Athletes with visual or hearing impairments can have a guide runner for orientation and positioning at workout stations. Guide runners are not provided by HYROX but can be appointed by the athlete free of charge.
• Special Equipment: HYROX allows athletes to use necessary additional gear, such as wrist straps or hooks, and deducts the handling time from their overall time. Athletes are required to communicate their equipment needs in advance.
• Workout Station Adaptations: Specific adaptations are made to each workout station to accommodate different impairments. For example:
  • In the Sled Push, seated athletes drag the sled attached to their chair with straps.
  • For the Burpee Broad Jump, athletes using wheelchairs may perform chair dips or back wheel balances, while those using crutches may do in-place burpees followed by steps or swings with crutches.
  • In Rowing, the machine is separated for seated athletes.
  • During the Kettlebell Farmers Carry, seated athletes place kettlebells on their lap, and athletes using crutches carry a single kettlebell in one hand.
  • In the Sandbag Lunge, seated athletes perform side sandbag lifts, and those with limited knee bending can walk with crutches while carrying the sandbag.
  • For Wall Balls, athletes with lower limb or Neurological Major impairments use a plyo box for stability. Those with upper limb or visual impairments complete squats while holding the ball without throwing it.

A Celebration of Inclusivity and Athleticism

The HYROX Adaptive Division is a testament to the belief that fitness is for everyone. By providing a platform for athletes with permanent impairments, HYROX fosters a community where everyone can challenge themselves, strive for excellence, and celebrate achievements. The adaptations and modifications ensure fairness and create an environment where athletes can compete on an equal footing, showcasing their unique strengths and abilities.