Balancing Motherhood and Fitness:
My First HYROX Experience
_{Written by Erin Garber}

As a new mom, I wanted to prove to myself that I could still be athletic and pursue my own fitness goals. When a friend (and fellow SFH ambassador, Tara Kimbell) reached out needing a last-minute partner for a HYROX competition, I saw it as the perfect opportunity to challenge myself in a new way.

What is HYROX?

HYROX is a global fitness race that combines endurance and functional strength. It includes eight rounds of a 1K run, paired with challenging functional workouts. Here is the exact breakdown:
⏺ 1K Run
⏺ 1,000m Ski Erg
⏺ 1K Run
⏺ 50m Sled Push (weight varies depending on division)
⏺ 1K Run
⏺ 50m Sled Pull (weight varies depending on division)
⏺ 1K Run
⏺ 80m Burpee Broad Jumps
⏺ 1K Run
⏺ 1,000m Row
⏺ 1K Run
⏺ 200m Farmers Carry (weight varies depending on division)
⏺ 1K Run
⏺ 100m Sandbag Lunges (weight varies depending on division)
⏺ 1K Run
⏺ 100 Wall Balls (weight varies depending on division)

We competed in the Women’s Doubles Open Division but there are many different divisions to choose from to accommodate various fitness levels. You can do a HYROX alone, with a partner, or with a team:

Open Division – Designed for everyday athletes looking to challenge themselves.
Pro Division – A more intense version with heavier weights for seasoned competitors.
Doubles Division – A partner-based race where two people split the workout stations.
Relay Division – A four-person team where each member completes two workout stations.

My Training Approach

I had seen friends compete in HYROX events and was always intrigued, but running had never been a huge focus in my training. This event pushed me out of my comfort zone and gave me a new perspective on my own athletic capabilities. With limited time to prepare (especially as a business owner and stay at home (ish) mom, I structured my training around three key sessions per week:

⏺ One longer run (4-5 miles) to build endurance.
⏺ One HYROX-style workout focused on sled pushes, pulls, ski erg, and rowing to mimic the event’s demands.
⏺ One strength + anaerobic session to improve power and speed under fatigue.

This minimal but focused training helped me get competition-ready, though I knew I would need to adjust my approach if I wanted to compete again.

The HYROX Experience

Competing in my first HYROX event was exhilarating. The atmosphere was electric—high energy, well-organized, and filled with an encouraging crowd that kept pushing everyone to their limits. The event was a mix of intensity and camaraderie, proving that fitness is truly a community-driven experience. The high-end setup and professional execution made it feel like a world-class competition.

The heats run all day Saturday and Sunday so there’s always people starting and finishing around you. While you have an idea of your starting window (our window was 14:40-16:20pm), you won’t know your exact start time until just a couple days before. Plan your nutrition, hydration, and recovery accordingly, and stay mentally prepared for whatever schedule you’re handed.

How I Fueled with SFH Supplements

Nutrition and supplementation played a crucial role in my performance and recovery. To stay fueled and recover efficiently, I relied on:

⏺ Creatine for strength and power
⏺ Magnesium Glycinate for muscle recovery and relaxation
⏺ PURE Whey Protein to meet my daily protein intake
⏺ Super Omega-3 Fish Oil for joint support and heart health
⏺ K2 & D3 + Calcium for bone and immune support
⏺ PUSH Pre-Workout - to push through tougher workouts

These, combined with a balanced diet and hitting my protein goals, ensured that I had the energy and stamina to perform at my best.

How I Would Train Differently Next Time

After completing my first HYROX, I have a better understanding of what it takes to excel in this competition. If I were to do it again, I would adjust my training by:

⏺ Incorporating more running with heavy legs to better simulate the race conditions.
⏺ Speed training and longer endurance runs to become a better and faster runner.
⏺ Building additional strength to improve performance in sled pushes and pulls.
⏺ Training 5-6 times per week instead of 3, allowing for more volume and specificity.

Final Thoughts

This experience reminded me that fitness is an evolving journey, and motherhood doesn’t mean giving up on personal goals. Competing in HYROX reignited my passion for athletic challenges and showed me that I’m capable of more than I thought. If you’ve ever considered HYROX, I highly recommend stepping out of your comfort zone and giving it a shot—you might surprise yourself!

Have you competed in HYROX or a similar endurance event? I’d love to hear about your experience and training strategies!