HYROX Divisions Explained
HYROX keeps the format identical worldwide: 8 x 1km runs and 8 functional stations. But you can race it in four different divisions, each with different weights, rep counts, and competitive standards. Picking the right one matters.
The four divisions
| Division | Format | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Open | Individual, standard weights | All levels, the entry point for most athletes |
| Pro | Individual, heavier weights | Experienced and competitive athletes |
| Doubles | Two athletes share station reps; both run every km | Pairs racing together, faster overall times |
| Relay | Team of four splits runs and stations | Groups, corporate events, most accessible format |
Open
Open is where most HYROX athletes start. The weights are challenging but achievable, and the field is large. Men complete 100 Wall Ball reps, women complete 75. Age-group categories run in 10-year bands (16-24, 25-29, 30-34 and so on), so you’re always competing against your peers as well as the overall field.
A solid Open time for men is under 1:10. Breaking 60 minutes puts you in the competitive bracket. For women, sub-1:20 is competitive, sub-70 minutes is strong. See the full breakdown in what’s a good HYROX time.
Pro
Pro uses the same course and format as Open with significantly heavier loads across all weighted stations. Wall Ball weights increase, sleds are heavier, sandbags and Farmers Carry kettlebells go up. Pro is where athletes who have consistently performed well in Open go to test themselves at the next level.
Pro station weights (2025/26)
| Station | Men’s Pro | Women’s Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Sled Push | 202kg | 152kg |
| Sled Pull | 153kg | 103kg |
| Farmers Carry | 32kg per hand | 24kg per hand |
| Sandbag Lunges | 30kg | 20kg |
| Wall Balls | 9kg | 6kg |
Open weights are approximately 30-40% lighter across the board.
The step up from Open to Pro is significant. Most athletes who move to Pro have sub-65 minute Open times and a strong running base. Jumping to Pro too early is one of the most common ways to have a miserable first Pro race.
What times lead to World Championships qualification
HYROX World Championships qualification is based on Pro race performance across the season. The exact qualification structure changes season to season and should be verified on the official HYROX site, but as a general guide based on recent seasons:
- Men’s Pro: competitive qualification range is roughly 54-58 minutes
- Women’s Pro: competitive qualification range is roughly 57-63 minutes
- Elite 15: the top 15 men and women globally, requiring consistently sub-55 minute performances for men and sub-58 for women across Major events
Athletes like Hidde Weersma, Charlie Botterill and Josh van Zeeland qualified for the Elite 15 from the Pro field with times in the 54-56 minute range. Joanna Wietrzyk and Sinéad Bent qualified on the women’s side with times around 56-59 minutes.
Qualification requires consistency across multiple events, not just one fast race.
Doubles
Two athletes enter together. Both run every 1km leg side by side. Station reps are split, so instead of one athlete doing 100 Wall Ball reps, each athlete does 50. Both can work simultaneously on stations.
Doubles produces faster finish times than Solo because of the shared station load. Men’s Doubles Pro race times regularly come in under 55 minutes at the competitive end. The Men’s Pro Doubles world record is 47:41 (Alexander Rončević and Tim Wenisch, London 2026).
Doubles is also one of the most popular formats for first-timers. Sharing the work with a partner makes the race more manageable and the experience better.
Relay
Four athletes split the entire race. Different formats exist for how the splits are divided, but the broad structure is that each team member completes a portion of the runs and stations. It’s the most team-oriented format and the most accessible entry point for groups.
Relay times are fast overall because the individual load per person is low, but it’s not typically a competitive format in the same way Solo and Doubles are.
Which division should you race?
First race: Open. Get the format, pacing and station experience before adding weight to the equation.
Returning athlete with solid Open times: Pro is the next step once you’re consistently under 65 minutes for men, 75 for women.
Racing with a partner: Doubles. Choose Open Doubles if you’re newer, Pro Doubles if you’re both competitive.
Group or social entry: Relay.
Your division selection feeds directly into your pacing plan. PaceMe lets you set your division and venue so your splits account for the right weights and distances. Once you’ve raced, link your result to compare against your division average.
