The Complete Hyrox Equipment Guide: Everything You Need for Competition Training (Gym & Home Setup)

Whether you're a gym owner looking to attract the growing Hyrox community or an athlete training at home, having the right equipment is crucial for race preparation. We helped launch just over 20 new Hyrox gyms last year alone, and the demand for proper Hyrox training setups has never been higher this year. Here's your complete guide to essential Hyrox equipment and clever alternatives when you're working with limited space or budget.

Essential Hyrox Equipment for Gyms

The Must-Have Kit List

1. SkiErg Machine  The SkiErg is non-negotiable for Hyrox training. This full-body cardio machine mimics the skiing motion and is used in every Hyrox race. For commercial gyms, invest in multiple units to avoid bottlenecks during peak training times.

2. Rowing Machine  Another cardio station that appears in every race. The Concept2 rower is the gold standard - reliable, accurate, and built to withstand heavy commercial use.

3. Sled & Sled Track You'll need both push and pull sleds with a proper sled track. For gyms, consider a custom-branded sled track (12-week lead time) that can be designed for your space and used both indoors and outdoors. Standard tracks work well, but custom sizing ensures optimal space utilisation. We keep our 10m x 2m track and 10m x 1m sled track in stock, but we also create longer Hyrox spec sled tracks too. 

4. Sandbags (Various Weights) Sandbags for lunges and carries are essential. Stock multiple weights to accommodate different fitness levels - typically 10kg, 15kg, and 20kg options.

5. Wall Balls (4kg, 6kg and 9kg) Great quality Hyrox wall balls for the signature wall ball shots. Ensure you have adequate ceiling height and wall space for safe training.

6. Burpee Broad Jump Space Dedicated floor space with proper gym flooring. EPDM fleck flooring works excellently here - it's grippy enough for explosive movements but smooth enough for easy cleaning. Other gyms use sled tracks. 

7. Farmers Carry Handles/Kettlebells Heavy farmers carry implements. Kettlebells can double up for this exercise, making them a versatile investment. Recommend having 16kg x 2, 24kg x 2 and 32kg x 2 kettlebells for hyrox.

8. Running Space/Treadmills Indoor running capability is crucial for year-round training, especially during winter months. Curve runners aren't cheap but they are the best bit of kit for Hyrox running training indoors.

Home Hyrox Setup: The Essentials

Core Equipment for Home Athletes

If you're at home, unless you live in a mansion, it's hard to fit everything inside, so just focus your training. 

1. SkiErg (Compact Version) If space allows, the SkiErg is worth the investment. It's the one piece of Hyrox equipment that's hardest to replicate effectively. Our HalfHuman Ski Erg is very well priced and worth looking at. 

2. Rowing Machine A Concept2 or HalfHuman rower is ideal, but budget-friendly alternatives exist. They do take up a fair amount of space, so could be one to miss off if you don't have a huge space.

3. Sandbags A super affordable bit of kit and space efficient so perfect for home use. You can even make DIY versions using duffel bags and sand. 

4. Wall Ball A 6kg or 9kg wall ball and a sturdy wall are all you need. Garage walls work perfectly for this. Or an outside wall. You could get a wallball target, but you could just mark the height manually without the expense and faff of drilling into a wall. 

5. Kettlebells

Depending on your sex and level, either of 16kg x 2, 24kg x 2 or 32kg x 2 kettlebells for hyrox would be ideal. Fairly cheap and space-efficient. 

6. Curve Treadmill 

Very much a nice to have, for most, creating 1km running route outside makes total sense, 500m there and 500m back, then onto the next station.

Creative Alternatives: Training Without the Kit

When You Don't Have a SkiErg

• Battle Ropes: Alternate overhead slams mimic the SkiErg motion

• Resistance Band Pull-Downs: Attach bands overhead and perform pulling motions

• Burpee + Jump Combo: Explosive burpee into vertical jump approximates the movement pattern

  
  

No Rowing Machine?

• Resistance Band Rows: High-rep resistance band rowing

• Bent-Over Dumbbell Rows: Focus on an explosive pulling motion

• Inverted Rows: Using a barbell in a rack or TRX system

  
  

Sled Alternatives

• Weighted Backpack Walks: Load a backpack and walk/run

• Tire Flips: Great for developing similar power and endurance

• Prowler Alternative: Use a weighted wheelbarrow for pushing movements

  
  

No Sandbags?

• Weighted Backpack Lunges: Fill a backpack with books or water bottles

• Dumbbell Lunges: Use heavy dumbbells for a similar training effect

• Water Jug Carries: Large water containers provide unstable load training

  
  

Wall Ball Substitutes

• Medicine Ball Slams: Against the ground instead of wall

• Thrusters with Dumbbells: Similar movement pattern

• Squat + Press Combo: Using any weighted object

  
  

Farmers Carry Options

• Heavy Shopping Bags: Fill with books or water bottles

• Paint Cans: Cheap and effective for grip strength

• Suitcases: Perfect weight and grip challenge

  
  

The Bottom Line

Hyrox training doesn't require a massive investment to get started. Whether you're setting up a commercial gym or training at home, focus on the movement patterns rather than perfect equipment replication. The key is consistency and progressive overload - you can achieve race-ready fitness with creative alternatives and dedication.

For gym owners, investing in proper Hyrox equipment is a smart business decision. The community is growing rapidly, and athletes are actively seeking facilities that cater to their specific training needs. For home athletes, start with the basics and upgrade over time as your commitment to the sport grows.

Remember: the best Hyrox setup is the one you'll actually use consistently. Start with what you have, get creative with alternatives, and upgrade strategically as your training progresses.

Ready to set up your Hyrox training space? Whether you're outfitting a commercial gym or building a home setup, focus on the fundamentals first. The race is won through consistent training, not perfect equipment...although we'd like to think Recharge would be your perfect Hyrox equipment partner.