More sign-ups, less excitement: Is HYROX here to stay in Singapore, or a passing trend?

In a world where everyone has become more health-conscious, one fitness event has gained immense popularity in recent years—HYROX, a hybrid race that combines functional workouts and endurance running.

Participants run a total of 8 km, interspersed with eight gruelling exercises such as sled pushes, burpees, and sandbag lunges.

The HYROX race format. / Screenshot from HYROX’s website

Since its launch in Germany in 2017 with just 650 participants, HYROX has evolved into a global fitness movement, attracting enthusiasts from all walks of life, including fitness junkies and celebrities.

It debuted in Singapore in 2023 and has since hosted three races. Last year’s edition saw a strong turnout, with 6,500 participants turning up for the June 29 edition and another 6,185 competing across two days in August, bringing the total to 12,685 participants for the year.

This year, HYROX is set to go even bigger—its 2025 edition, introducing a new race format and an additional category, will take place on June 28 and 29.

As of June 25, a HYROX representative confirmed that the event has received 12,899 registrations, surpassing last year’s total turnout. In addition, a quick check revealed that the event has officially sold out.

The race appears to remain in high demand. Yet, a noticeable shift in public sentiment suggests that while the core community remains engaged, the widespread mainstream excitement for Hyrox in Singapore appears to be waning. 

Is HYROX here to stay, or is it just another fitness fad bound to fade as the novelty wears off?

Singapore’s HYROX enthusiasts

A few HYROX enthusiasts I’ve spoken to don’t believe the trend is fading anytime soon. For Elizabeth “Liz” Low, a seasoned competitor who has taken part in HYROX races both in Singapore and internationally, the journey is far from over.

She signed up for her first HYROX race in the Doubles category with a friend back in October 2023 as a challenge to push their physical limits, but the experience, she admits, was unforgettable in the most painful way.

“I cramped up so badly, I almost couldn’t finish. I clearly didn’t understand the importance of proper tapering, nutrition, and hydration back then.” Ironically, that tough first race only fuelled her determination and she has since gone on to compete in HYROX races across Beijing, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, among others.

(L to R): Dittaya Mhosomboon and Liz Low participating in the HYROX races./ Image Credit:

Dittaya Mhsosomboon shares a similar journey. His first race, which he competed in under the Doubles category in 2023, proved to be a humbling experience, even with a partner by his side. Since then, he’s put in the work, and is now stepping up to take on the challenge solo.

Beyond personal goals, both Dittaya and Liz agree that it’s the supportive community and inclusive environment that keep them coming back.

HYROX is designed to be accessible to a wide range of fitness levels, from beginners to advanced athletes. There are no technical obstacles, and the race is less skill-heavy, with emphasis on functional movements, which enhances its appeal amongst a wide range of demographics.

In addition, the upcoming race in Singapore has broadened its participant pool to those with physical disabilities, highlighting inclusivity as a key pillar. 

“Just like marathons make running accessible to the masses, HYROX is making functional fitness accessible to all. I think it’s a great addition to the fitness community,” said Liz.

Oversaturation & lack of time

Despite the ongoing enthusiasm among core participants, I’ve noticed that mainstream hype around HYROX seems to have dipped compared to last year.

In 2024, major media outlets like The Straits Times and CNA highlighted the surge in interest and the event’s growing popularity, yet coverage has been noticeably more subdued this year.

Social media chatter has also quieted, and fewer fitness enthusiasts seem to be hyping up their training or registrations compared to 2024. 

Why this dip in mainstream hype? One possible reason is event fatigue. 

Singapore’s calendar has been packed with events this year, from headline concerts like Lady Gaga’s to food fairs and exhibitions such as Gastrobeats and iLight. For many, it’s simply a matter of too much going on and too little time.

The city-state is also hosting numerous fitness events throughout the year, ranging from marathons to fitness competitions, so it’s possible that HYROX has simply been overlooked amid a saturated calendar.

Image Credit: John Koh

In addition, John Koh—a HYROX athlete who has competed in four races—believes that the lack of hype might be linked to the possibility of two races being held this year: one in June, and another in the fourth quarter, mirroring last year’s double-race format.

He also pointed out that the upcoming race is scheduled to take place just after the June holidays, so more Singaporeans might consider participating in the latter race instead.

When novelty wears off

Hyrox isn’t the first fitness event to get a surge in hype over the years.

The Colour Run, once a staple in Singapore’s fun run circuit, drew over 9,000 runners in 2017. Today, its Instagram account lies dormant, with its last post dating back to 2018.

Image Credit: superjoseph/ Shutterstock.com

Hyrox and The Colour Run share striking parallels: both races have largely kept to the same format for years.

While consistency appeals to new participants, it can also lead to fatigue among repeat racers, especially in a trend-sensitive market like Singapore.

Jeremy Ko, the co-founder of homegrown fitness collective Arkkies who has over 10 years of experience in the fitness space, took to Instagram to share his thoughts on the demand for HYROX.

“People who do it once are unlikely to want to do it again—I mean, how fun are lunges and burpees?”

This sentiment highlights the challenge of sustaining long-term engagement as the novelty of the format wears off.

Worth the dollars or not

Additionally, Hyrox isn’t cheap, and some Singaporeans are feeling the pinch more than ever.

Ticket prices for HYROX 2025 in Singapore./ Figures from the HYROX Singapore website, graphic designed by Vulcan Post.

Ticket prices for Hyrox Singapore 2025 are steep, especially when stacked against the rising cost of living that many Singaporeans are experiencing. With headlines dominated by layoffs and business closures, many are becoming more selective about what they splurge on.

For some, the idea of spending over S$100 to endure an excruciating race, especially one they’ve already experienced before, feels harder to justify.

Instead, they’re turning to more accessible fitness alternatives, like run clubs or community bootcamps, which offer similar social and physical benefits without the hefty price tag.

As fitness becomes more mainstream, the appetite for big-ticket events may wane—not because people are less interested in being fit, but because they’re being more mindful about what they’re paying for. 

This shift in consumer behaviour suggests that the era of unquestioning participation in high-cost, high-intensity events like HYROX may be drawing to a close.

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Trends like HYROX come and go, and it seems like it could lose steam in Singapore.

While current participation numbers seem robust, they could be reflecting the peak, or even the tail end, of the trend.

Much like CrossFit, it could be a case where casual hype dies down, leaving behind a dedicated community, including repeat participants like Liz and Dittaya.

Whether HYROX continues to grow or settles into a niche, one thing’s clear: for its core athletes, it’s more than a one-time challenge—it’s a lifestyle. And that might be enough to sustain the movement, even as the mainstream moves its focus to the next big thing.

• Learn more about HYROX 2025 Singapore here.
• Read other articles we’ve written on Singaporean startups here.

Featured Image Credit: Elizabeth Low, Apex Sports Clinic