Gen Z's interest in Hyrox highlights changing fitness spending

Many young adults are spending hundreds on Hyrox events, with one competitor reporting a £2,000 trip to the World Championships; organisers and athletes say event costs and travel help explain higher prices.

Many people in their 20s and 30s are increasingly taking part in Hyrox fitness races and are willing to pay to compete. A 29-year-old competitor told the BBC she spent as much as £2,000 for the World Championships in Chicago and typically spends about £400 per trip for travel and two nights' stay, plus roughly £120 for a ticket. Gym founder Evgenia Koroleva and others say costs can be high because of venue hire, specialist equipment and judging panels. Exercise app Strava reported that a third of Gen Z plan to spend more on fitness, and some travel companies now sell marathon- or Hyrox-focused holiday trips. Key facts: - A competitor reported spending £2,000 for the World Championships in Chicago. - Typical overseas trip costs were reported as about £400 for travel and accommodation and about £120 for an event ticket. - Evgenia Koroleva of ONE LDN estimates an athlete may spend between £500 and £1,000 in a weekend and says repeat sign-ups can drive continued participation. - Some people have criticised the costs, with one former participant on Reddit saying travelling abroad to race is a stretch for them. - Most athletes the BBC spoke to said prices felt fair given the cost of hiring large event spaces, specialist equipment and judging panels. - Strava's survey suggests many Gen Z plan to spend more on fitness and that event-focused travel experiences are becoming more common. Summary: This pattern of spending has become part of how some younger adults approach exercise, reflecting a cultural shift where fitness can be tied to identity and social experiences. Undetermined at this time.