MIKOLO Fitness · Training Guide
HYROX is different from a traditional running race or a standard strength competition. You need to run, but you also need to push, pull, carry, lunge, squat, and move weight under fatigue.
That combination is what makes HYROX challenging.
You might feel strong enough to handle the sled, but struggle to recover before the next run. Or your running endurance may be solid, but your grip and upper-body strength fall apart during the sled pull or farmer's carry.
The best way to prepare is to train the specific movement patterns and physical qualities that show up on race day.
This 5-day HYROX training plan is designed for the 6–8 weeks leading up to a race. It combines strength training, movement-specific work, conditioning, and recovery so you can build the strength and endurance needed to stay effective when you're tired.
Training note: This is a general training template for recreational and intermediate athletes. Adjust the weights, volume, and intensity based on your current fitness level and training experience.
What Should You Train for HYROX?
Every HYROX station places a slightly different demand on your body. Instead of treating every station as a separate exercise, it helps to identify the underlying movement and physical quality you need to improve.
| HYROX Station |
Main Physical Demands |
Useful Strength Exercises |
Training Focus |
| SkiErg |
Cardio endurance, back strength |
Pull-ups, lat pulldowns, seated rows, face pulls, straight-arm pulldowns |
Lat engagement and upper-back endurance |
| Sled Push |
Lower-body power and strength |
Back squats, front squats, box squats, thrusters, hip thrusts |
Quad drive and force production |
| Sled Pull |
Back strength, grip |
Pull-ups, chin-ups, seated rows, high rows, farmer's carries |
Pulling strength and grip endurance |
| Burpee Broad Jumps |
Power, conditioning |
Thrusters, dumbbell thrusters, landmine squats, hip thrusts, box jumps |
Full-body extension and hip power |
| Rowing |
Cardio endurance, rhythm |
Romanian deadlifts, stiff-leg deadlifts, seated rows, lat pulldowns |
Hip hinge and sustained pulling |
| Farmer's Carry |
Grip, core stability |
Walking lunges, step-ups, weighted planks, side planks |
Grip strength and anti-lateral flexion |
| Sandbag Lunges |
Single-leg strength and stability |
Walking lunges, reverse lunges, Bulgarian split squats, crossover lunges |
Balance and eccentric control |
| Wall Balls |
Muscular endurance, coordination |
Thrusters, dumbbell thrusters, overhead press, Arnold press |
Squat-to-press endurance |
The goal isn't to replace HYROX stations with traditional strength exercises. Instead, these movements help build the physical qualities that allow you to perform the actual stations more efficiently.
Your 5-Day HYROX Training Split
For the 6–8 weeks before your race, you can organize your training around five workout days and two recovery days.
A simple weekly structure looks like this:
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Monday: Sled Push + Lower-Body Strength
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Tuesday: Sled Pull + Back and Grip Strength
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Wednesday: Active Recovery
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Thursday: Burpee Broad Jumps + Full-Body Power
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Friday: Sandbag Lunges + Single-Leg Strength
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Saturday: Wall Balls + Shoulder Endurance + Mixed Conditioning
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Sunday: Rest or Active Recovery
This gives you frequent exposure to HYROX-specific movements without turning every training day into an all-out race simulation.
Monday: Sled Push + Lower-Body Strength
Start the week with your lower body while you're fresh.
The sled push demands more than just strong legs. You need to produce force repeatedly while keeping your heart rate under control. Building a stronger squat and posterior chain can help you maintain that drive when the sled gets heavy.
| Exercise |
Sets × Reps |
Notes |
| Dynamic Warm-Up |
10 min |
Jumping jacks, reverse lunges, high knees |
| Barbell Front Squat |
4 × 6 |
Use a challenging weight |
| Barbell Back Squat |
3 × 8 |
Moderate weight |
| Hip Thrust |
3 × 12 |
Controlled eccentric |
| Barbell Thruster |
3 × 10 |
Light and fast |
| Sled Push |
6 × 20 m |
Hard effort, 90-sec rest |
| Easy Bike or Walk |
20 min |
Keep intensity low |
Training Tip: Don't turn your strength work into a second conditioning workout. The goal is to build strength first, then use the sled work to practice producing force under fatigue.
Tuesday: Sled Pull + Back and Grip Strength
The sled pull can expose weaknesses in your upper back and grip very quickly.
You need enough pulling strength to move the sled, but you also need to keep your hands and back working repeatedly without losing your technique.
This is why vertical pulls, rows, and loaded carries work well together.
| Exercise |
Sets × Reps |
Notes |
| Band Activation |
10 min |
Shoulder circles and face pulls |
| Pull-Ups |
4 sets |
Stop before complete failure if needed |
| Seated Cable Row |
4 × 10 |
Controlled contraction |
| High Cable Row |
3 × 12 |
Moderate weight |
| Dumbbell Farmer's Carry |
3 × 30 m |
Try not to set the weights down |
| Sled Pull |
6 × 20 m |
Heavy, controlled effort |
| SkiErg |
4 × 500 m |
2-min recovery between efforts |
Training Tip: If you're new to sled pulling, don't worry about matching race-day loads immediately. Focus first on body position, rope control, consistent steps, and keeping tension throughout the pull.
Wednesday: Active Recovery
You don't need to train hard seven days a week to get better at HYROX.
Wednesday is your chance to keep moving while giving your muscles and nervous system a break.
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30 min: Easy run, bike, or elliptical
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Mobility: Foam rolling and hip mobility
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Core: Dead bugs and side planks, 3 sets of 30 seconds
Keep the intensity easy enough that you finish feeling better than when you started.
If you're unusually sore or fatigued, make this a full rest day instead.
Thursday: Burpee Broad Jumps + Full-Body Power
Burpee broad jumps combine conditioning with explosive movement.
You have to repeatedly get down to the floor, stand up, and produce enough power to jump forward. By the later rounds, this can become much harder than it looks.
The goal of Thursday's session is to develop explosive hip and leg drive without accumulating excessive fatigue.
| Exercise |
Sets × Reps |
Notes |
| Dynamic Warm-Up |
10 min |
Squat jumps and reverse lunges |
| Dumbbell Thruster |
5 × 8 |
Move quickly |
| Romanian Deadlift |
4 × 10 |
Light-to-moderate, controlled |
| Landmine Squat |
3 × 12 |
Smooth reps |
| Burpee Broad Jump |
5 × 8 |
Powerful jumps |
| Tempo Run |
3 km |
Steady, controlled pace |
Training Tip: Don't sacrifice jump distance for sloppy reps. Land under control, reset your position, and make each jump intentional.
Friday: Sandbag Lunges + Single-Leg Strength
Sandbag lunges are one of those stations where small weaknesses can become obvious very quickly.
Every step requires balance, leg strength, trunk control, and the ability to maintain your position while carrying an awkward load.
Single-leg exercises are particularly useful here because they let you train stability and strength on each side independently.
| Exercise |
Sets × Reps |
Notes |
| Reverse Lunge Warm-Up |
10 min |
Bodyweight |
| Barbell Bulgarian Split Squat |
4 × 8/side |
Controlled |
| Barbell Reverse Lunge |
3 × 10/side |
Slow down, drive up |
| Anti-Rotation Press |
3 × 12/side |
Control your torso |
| Single-Arm Dumbbell Press |
3 × 10/side |
Moderate weight |
| Sandbag Walking Lunges |
4 × 20 m |
Use a sandbag or plate |
Training Tip: Don't rush your lunges just because HYROX is fast-paced. Good single-leg control during training will make it easier to maintain your stride and posture when fatigue sets in.
Saturday: Wall Balls + Shoulder Endurance + Conditioning
Saturday brings several pieces together.
Wall balls require repeated squatting and pressing, which means your legs, shoulders, core, and cardiovascular system all have to work together.
This is also a good day to practice maintaining a consistent race-like pace instead of going all-out on the first few rounds.
| Exercise |
Sets × Reps |
Notes |
| Shoulder Activation |
10 min |
Band external rotations |
| Strict Overhead Press |
4 × 8 |
Controlled |
| Barbell Thruster |
4 × 10 |
Consistent rhythm |
| Alternating Dumbbell Press |
3 × 15 |
Light weight |
| Wall Balls |
5 × 20 |
Race-style pace |
| SkiErg + Row |
3 rounds |
500 m SkiErg + 500 m row |
| Recovery |
2 min |
Between rounds |
Training Tip: Practice breaking your wall balls into manageable sets before you reach failure. For example, instead of trying to complete 20 reps as fast as possible and then spending a long time recovering, you may find that a steady rhythm with short breaks allows you to maintain a better overall pace.
Sunday: Full Rest or Easy Recovery
Your training doesn't stop being productive just because you're not lifting.
Sunday should be either a complete rest day or an easy recovery day.
Option 1 — Full Rest
Take the day off and let your body recover.
Option 2 — Active Recovery
- 30-minute easy walk
- Light full-body stretching
- Easy mobility work
Avoid turning recovery into another workout.
How to Progress During the 6–8 Weeks
You don't need to make every workout harder every week.
Instead, gradually increase one variable at a time:
Weeks 1–2: Build the Base
Focus on movement quality and establish your working weights. Don't worry about matching competition intensity yet.
Weeks 3–4: Increase Training Demand
Gradually increase resistance or volume while keeping good technique. You can also make your sled work and conditioning intervals slightly more challenging.
Weeks 5–6: Add More Race-Specific Work
Start connecting movements and conditioning. For example:
Run → Sled Push → Run → Sled Pull or SkiErg → Wall Balls → Row
The goal is to get comfortable performing when your heart rate is already elevated.
Weeks 7–8: Practice Pacing and Reduce Fatigue
As race day gets closer, the focus should shift toward race-specific pacing and recovery rather than simply adding more volume. You want to arrive at the start line feeling prepared—not exhausted from your final week of training.
Don't Forget the Running
One common mistake in HYROX training is focusing so heavily on the workout stations that running becomes an afterthought. It shouldn't.
Running connects the entire race. Even if you're strong on the sled and comfortable with wall balls, poor running endurance can make every station feel harder.
Try to include a combination of:
- Easy aerobic runs
- Tempo runs
- Short intervals
- Race-pace running
You don't need every run to be hard. In fact, keeping some runs easy will help you recover from your strength and HYROX-specific sessions.
Strength vs. Conditioning: Find the Right Balance
HYROX requires both strength and endurance, but more isn't always better.
If every workout becomes a max-effort conditioning session, you may struggle to recover and your strength work can suffer.
A better approach is to give each session a purpose:
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Strength days: Build force and improve movement quality.
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HYROX-specific work: Practice the actual stations and transitions.
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Conditioning: Improve your ability to sustain effort.
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Recovery days: Prepare your body for the next training session.
This balance becomes especially important during the final weeks before competition.
Final Thoughts
Preparing for HYROX isn't about becoming the strongest lifter in the gym or running the fastest 5K.
It's about being able to run, lift, push, pull, carry, and move efficiently—even when you're already tired.
A well-rounded training plan should therefore combine traditional strength exercises with race-specific practice.
Use squats and lunges to build stronger legs. Use rows, pull-ups, and carries to develop your pulling and grip strength. Use thrusters and explosive movements to improve full-body power. Then put those abilities to work with sleds, SkiErg, rowing, wall balls, and other HYROX-specific movements.
Most importantly, don't underestimate recovery.
Five hard training days can be plenty when they're structured well. Give yourself time to recover, adjust the workload when fatigue builds up, and gradually shift your training toward race-specific intensity as competition approaches.
Train the movements. Build the engine. Practice the pace. Then show up ready to race.
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