How to Choose HYROX Open, Pro, Doubles, or Relay
The right HYROX division depends on your real current level and your goal. Most first-timers do better by choosing the division that lets them finish well and learn the format, not the one that sounds toughest.
Key takeaways
- Open is the cleanest first-race choice for most athletes.
- Pro raises the load meaningfully and is better for experienced racers.
- Doubles keeps both athletes running while allowing workout sharing.
- Relay is the easiest on-ramp for teams, friends, and gym groups.
Table of contents
1. Division overview
| Division | Runs | Workouts | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Solo | Standard weights | First race, realistic finish target |
| Pro | Solo | Heavier weights | Experienced racers with load tolerance |
| Doubles | Both athletes complete all runs | Shared as chosen | Partner format with shared station load |
| Relay | Split across four teammates | One station per teammate | Team entry point and lower barrier |
Officially, HYROX separates Open and Pro in the solo format and offers Doubles and Relay as team formats. In practice, the key decision is whether the load and structure match what you can actually execute well.
2. What changes with Pro
The key difference is not branding. It is load. Pro raises the demands of sled work, carries, lunges, and wall balls enough that a weak choice here can damage the whole race.
| Example | Open | Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Women Sled Push | 102kg incl. sled | 152kg incl. sled |
| Women Sled Pull | 78kg incl. sled | 103kg incl. sled |
| Men Sled Push | 152kg incl. sled | 202kg incl. sled |
| Men Sled Pull | 103kg incl. sled | 153kg incl. sled |
| Men Farmers Carry | 2 x 24kg | 2 x 32kg |
| Men Wall Balls | 6kg | 9kg |
If you do not already train close to those demands, Open is usually the better first-race decision.
3. How to choose your first division
Open fits athletes who want a realistic result and a clean first review.
Doubles fits athletes who want the full race flow but prefer to share station load with a partner.
Relay fits teams and gym groups that want an easier entry point.
Pro fits athletes who already know the standard format is not enough challenge and who can manage heavier loads with control.
4. Common mistakes
- Choosing Pro for prestige: the heavier loads can break the race if your training is not ready.
- Treating Doubles as easy mode: both athletes still run all eight runs.
- Choosing Relay without understanding flow: even short segments benefit from race-specific prep.
- Picking a division before checking real training exposure: test the workload first, then decide.
5. Frequently asked questions
Q1. Which division is best for a first HYROX?
A. Open is usually the cleanest first-race choice. Doubles can also be a strong option if you want a shared race day and a compatible partner.
Q2. Is HYROX Doubles much easier than Open?
A. Not automatically. Both athletes still complete all eight runs. The main difference is that stations can be shared.
Q3. Who is Relay best for?
A. Relay works well for teams, gym groups, and friends who want the event experience with a lower barrier to entry.
Sources checked
This page was prepared after checking the official HYROX race format page, rulebook directory, and the official doubles rulebook on 2026-03-20.
The Fitness Race | HYROX
Rulebooks | HYROX
HYROX Doubles Rulebook 25/26
Conclusion
- For most first races, Open or Doubles is the most sensible choice.
- Pro is a real load increase and makes more sense for experienced racers.
- Your division should follow your training reality and race goal, not status.
Keep training notes aligned to your division
With HYFIT, you can keep stations, notes, and weak points in one format whether you race solo or with a partner.