Hyrox is a fitness craze that shows no signs of dying out - with 1.3 million people expected to compete in an event somewhere in the world this year.
The competition, which is split between running and fitness exercises, has proven particularly popular with young millennials and Generation Z - people in their twenties to early forties. Its rapidly growing popularity has been attributed to social media.
Fashionable looks are often a non-negotiable for competitors, with many choosing to compete in high-end fitness brands, matching their outfits with their team members.
Allana Falconer, who works in sustainability and started competing in 2023, says she has fallen in love with it. She has competed in 20 different races across six countries and 12 different cities.
All my holidays revolve around Hyrox or I incorporate events into holidays, she tells the BBC World Service.
The 29-year-old says the most she has spent so far was £2,000, when she travelled to Chicago for the World Championships last year.
Evgenia Koroleva, the founder of ONE LDN gym, estimates an athlete travelling to compete in a Hyrox competition will spend between £500 to £1,000 in one weekend. Despite criticism regarding the costs, many athletes believe the prices are justified due to the expenses of hosting such large events.
For competitors like Jorell Hill, who has participated in 10 races so far, fitness is now a cornerstone of their identity. He mentions, I haven't been on a single holiday abroad that hasn't been for a half marathon, marathon or Hyrox. Spending on fitness now supersedes the idea of purchasing going-out clothes for many in Gen Z.
The Hyrox race involves executing eight one-kilometer runs supplemented with exercises like burpee broad jumps and sled pulls. The events have fostered a community atmosphere, with many forming friendships through these shared interests.
Experts suggest that the addictive nature of these competitions and the growing involvement of social media intensify the culture around fitness, presenting unique lifestyle changes for a generation that prioritizes health and wellness.
