Have you signed up for your first Hyrox? Did you see your friend finish it and think, "That looks cool"?
OK, but spoiler: it stings.

In this article, I'm going to share with you the biggest mistakes to avoid (that I've made, obviously), and give you my concrete advice for performing . No blah blah. Just real life.

Back to my first Hyrox: Manchester, total blackout

I arrive in Manchester for my first Hyrox. Confident. In Ironman training mode, so already pretty tired. I've never pushed a sled in my life. But hey, I'm here for fun.

First run? I'm going all out.
SkiErg? I've got it.
Sled Push? It's starting to heat up.
Burpees Broad Jumps? I think I'm a kangaroo.
And there… blackout . Literally.

No sound. No picture. I half collapse against a barrier. I turn off my watch. My brain is mush. My body wants to give up. But my mind screams at me: “You're not here for that.”

So I set off again. I manage. I slow down. And I finish. 1 hour 19 minutes. Objective achieved.
And that race, despite the pain, it shaped me.

The 5 mistakes to absolutely avoid (if you want to end up on your feet)

❌ 1. Leaving too quickly

You get carried away by the atmosphere. You have the lights, the music, the shouts, the others sprinting off. Result? You run your first kilometer at a 10K pace, and you pay cash at the first station.
➡ Tip: Start at 70% of your max, find your rhythm, and save some energy for later.

❌ 2. Going too hard on the SkiErg and Rower

You gain 10 seconds, you lose 2 minutes on the following run.
➡ Tip: Sit down. Manage. Stay clean. This isn't where you're going to win everything.

❌ 3. Neglecting running

8 kilometers. 60% of the race.
You can't afford to just "hold on." If you want to improve your Hyrox, you have to love running. Or at least get serious about it.

❌ 4. Forgetting about hydration and heat management

Hyrox are often done indoors, and it's very hot . The humidity, the repeated efforts, the runs that follow one another... you overheat quickly.
➡ Tip: Drink regularly. And don't hesitate to splash some water on the back of your neck between stations.

❌ 5. Train hard until the day before

Rookie mistake (and one I made). You want to improve, you work until the last day.
➡ Tip: Take a real "rest" week. Less volume, more recovery.

Some bonus tips that no one gives you (but that make all the difference):

✅ Learn to breathe while walking

Between certain stations, don't hesitate to walk for 5 seconds to calm your breathing. You'll lose 0 time, you'll gain clarity.

✅ Work on transitions

You often lose time between running and stations. Practice linking a straight run with a sled push or wall balls. Your body must learn to switch gears in a matter of seconds.

✅ Test a full simulation

Before your first competition, do a "homemade" simulation. 1 km run + one station + 1 km + etc. Even with approximate equipment, it teaches you about pacing, active recovery, and mental strength.

The Double Hyrox: a real adventure for two

You share the runs, you divide the stations. You do everything together. Honestly? It's one of the most powerful formats to experience as a couple .
You motivate each other, you laugh, you struggle... but you get to the end together. And that's a real shared victory.

And don't forget: there is a second wind.

Whether it's at Hyrox, Ironman, or even in life:
The moment you want to give up is often just before your body gives up, and your mind takes over.

So raise your head, keep moving forward, and let that famous second wind do its job.

In summary

Hyrox, it's not just a race. It's a fight with yourself.
But with the right preparation, a little perspective, and a lot of mental strength, you can not only finish — but enjoy it.

And if you want me to help you avoid the pitfalls, to show you how I prepared to aim for sub 1h, listen to my full podcast episode:
“The Ultimate Hyrox Guide and the Mistakes to Avoid” — available on Spotify, Apple Podcast, and YouTube.

About the author

I am Bazinga, hybrid athlete, creator of the podcast Le Bazcast , and passionate about progression, people, and slightly crazy challenges.
Every week, I talk to you about sport, mindset, and my daily life as an athlete/entrepreneur.

Do you want to progress, challenge yourself, or just listen to real content?
Subscribe to the BAZCAST podcast, leave a 5-star rating, and share with a friend who wants to push themselves. We're in this together.