# HYROX Training Setups: What Equipment Do You Actually Need?
HYROX has moved from niche European endurance event to mainstream fitness competition in Australia remarkably fast. With HYROX events now held in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and beyond, and with standalone HYROX training gyms and hybrid facilities popping up nationwide, the demand for HYROX-ready training infrastructure is genuine.
But "HYROX training" covers a specific, defined set of exercises — which means the equipment requirements are more precise than a generic functional training setup. This guide breaks down exactly what equipment you need, what's optional, and how to configure it.
What Is HYROX? (The Training Context)
HYROX is a fitness racing format where athletes complete 8 km of running (1 km between each station) combined with 8 functional workout stations:
- SkiErg — 1,000m
- Sled Push — 50m
- Sled Pull — 50m (with a rope)
- Burpee Broad Jumps — 80m
- Rowing — 1,000m
- Farmers Carry — 200m (with kettlebells or farmer's carry handles)
- Sandbag Lunges — 100m
- Wall Balls — 75–100 reps
The weights are standardised by division:
- Open (women): Sled push 102 kg, sled pull 78 kg, farmers 2× 16 kg, sandbag 10 kg, wall ball 4 kg
- Open (men): Sled push 152 kg, sled pull 102 kg, farmers 2× 24 kg, sandbag 20 kg, wall ball 6 kg
- Pro divisions: Higher weights across all stations
Essential Equipment for HYROX Training
1. SkiErg
The SkiErg is a SkiErg — there's essentially one commercial standard here: the Concept2 SkiErg. It's the equipment used in competition and is the reference standard for training.
- Cost: ~$1,800–$2,200 AUD per unit
- Footprint: ~0.7m × 0.7m (wall-mounted unit; requires ceiling clearance for arms)
- Recommended quantity: 1 per 10–15 HYROX athletes training simultaneously
- Setup: Wall-mounting kit included; needs 2.2m+ wall height clearance
For a dedicated HYROX training gym, 3–6 SkiErgs is typical. For a hybrid facility with a HYROX zone, 1–2 units may suffice.
2. Rowing Machine
HYROX uses rowing machines — specifically, the Concept2 RowErg (formerly the Model D/E) is the competition standard, though other commercial rowing machines are appropriate for training.
- Cost (Concept2 RowErg): ~$1,800–$2,200 AUD
- Cost (alternative commercial rowers): $1,500–$3,500 AUD
- Footprint: ~2.4m × 0.5m in use (can be stored vertically)
- Recommended quantity: Match SkiErg quantity — 1 per 10–15 athletes
3. Sleds (Push and Pull)
HYROX involves both push sled and pull sled movements. For training purposes, a single adjustable sled that can be configured for both push and pull (with a rope) works well. For a facility running concurrent HYROX sessions, dedicated push and pull sleds improve flow.
What to look for:
- Appropriate surface compatibility — sleds must match your flooring. Sleds designed for turf run smoothly on turf; rubber sled feet are for rubber flooring.
- Weight capacity to accommodate competition loading (102 kg/152 kg for open divisions)
- Rope attachment point for pull configuration
Cost: $600–$1,800 AUD per sled Weight plates needed: Standard Olympic plates (typically 20 kg bumper plates) Recommended quantity: 1–2 sleds per HYROX training lane
Critical: Sleds require appropriate flooring. A turf lane (minimum 10m, ideally 20m for training purposes) is the appropriate surface for sled work. See our guide on custom gym turf for why this matters.
4. Kettlebells for Farmers Carry
HYROX farmers carry requires:
- Women (Open): 2× 16 kg kettlebells
- Men (Open): 2× 24 kg kettlebells
- Pro divisions: 2× 20 kg (women), 2× 32 kg (men)
For a training facility, you need kettlebells across all training weight ranges. A comprehensive HYROX kettlebell set: 8 kg, 12 kg, 16 kg, 20 kg, 24 kg, 28 kg, 32 kg — multiple pairs at each weight.
Cost: ~$4–$7 per kg (commercial grade), so a pair of 24 kg kettlebells = ~$190–$340
Total kettlebell investment for HYROX: $3,000–$8,000 for a full training set
Farmer's carry handles are also used in some training contexts — these allow heavier loading with a more stable grip than kettlebells. Optional but useful.
5. Sandbags
HYROX sandbag lunges use:
- Women (Open): 10 kg sandbag
- Men (Open): 20 kg sandbag
- Pro divisions: 15 kg (women), 30 kg (men)
Purpose-built training sandbags (with handles for easy gripping during lunges) are preferable to generic sandbags. Look for:
- Durable outer shell (commercial training sandbags vs agricultural bags)
- Multiple handle points for different grip positions
- Fillable design for adjustable weight
Cost: $80–$200 per sandbag (commercial training grade) Recommended quantity: 1 per 2 athletes training simultaneously
6. Wall Balls
HYROX wall balls are thrown to a target on a wall (typically marked at 9 feet/2.7m for men, 8 feet/2.4m for women).
Required weights:
- Women (Open): 4 kg ball
- Men (Open): 6 kg ball
For training, having a range of wall ball weights (4 kg, 6 kg, 9 kg) allows scaling for different fitness levels.
Cost: $50–$150 per wall ball Wall requirements: A solid wall section with marked target heights; dedicated wall ball zones in the facility layout
7. Turf Lane
This is the most significant infrastructure investment in a dedicated HYROX training setup. A proper HYROX training lane needs:
- Minimum length: 10m (for half-distances). Full 50m is ideal; often impractical indoors.
- Width: 1.5–2.0m minimum per lane
- Surface: Commercial gym turf (low-pile for sled performance)
- Sled track markings on the turf (optional but useful for distance reference)
For most indoor facilities, a 15–20m turf run with turnaround markers is the practical standard.
Cost: $80–$140/sqm installed, so a 20m × 2m lane = $3,200–$5,600
Optional but Highly Useful HYROX Training Equipment
Assault Bike / Echo Bike: Not in official HYROX but used extensively in HYROX conditioning programs. High-intensity intervals on the assault bike mimic the energy demands of HYROX racing.
Rope for Sled Pull: A 5–10m length of heavy-duty training rope (not battle rope — a climbing rope or dedicated pulling rope) for the pull sled station. ~$100–$300.
Agility Hurdles and Markers: For replicating broad jump distances in the burpee broad jump station.
Concept2 BikeErg: The BikeErg is increasingly used in HYROX training as an additional conditioning tool. ~$1,800–$2,200.
HYROX Training Zone Layout
For a dedicated HYROX training zone within a larger gym, or a small standalone HYROX training facility:
Minimum setup (10m × 8m space):
- 2× SkiErg (wall-mounted)
- 2× Rowing machine
- 1× Push/pull sled with turf strip
- Kettlebell storage rack (16–32 kg range)
- Sandbags (10 and 20 kg)
- Wall balls (4 and 6 kg) with marked wall target
Estimated equipment cost: $12,000–$20,000
Full dedicated HYROX training facility (200+ sqm):
- 4–6× SkiErg
- 4–6× Rowing machine
- 2–4× Sleds with 20m+ turf lane
- Full kettlebell range (8–40 kg)
- Full sandbag range (10–30 kg)
- Wall ball range (4, 6, 9 kg)
- Assault bikes (2–4)
- General conditioning equipment
Estimated equipment cost: $35,000–$80,000
Programming Integration
HYROX training programs typically run as:
- Station-based intervals — each station completed at a set work-to-rest ratio
- Full simulation workouts — completing the full 8 stations in sequence with distance running (treadmill or outdoor)
- Single-station capacity training — extended work on SkiErg, rower, or sled for sport-specific conditioning
A treadmill is useful for HYROX-specific running training — interval treadmill sessions replicating the 1 km runs between stations. Plan for 2–4 treadmills adjacent to or accessible from the HYROX zone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need exact competition equipment to train for HYROX? A: Not for training — the movement patterns are more important than the specific equipment brand. Concept2 machines (SkiErg, RowErg) are competition-standard and ideal, but alternative commercial rowers and ski ergs are appropriate for training purposes.
Q: Can I set up a HYROX zone in an existing gym without a full renovation? A: Yes. A modular HYROX zone can be created within an existing functional training space — a defined turf area for sleds, SkiErgs on one wall, rowers alongside. No renovation required beyond the flooring if you don't already have turf.
Q: What's the minimum space for a HYROX training zone? A: 40–60 sqm is a workable minimum for a functional HYROX training zone within a larger gym. It won't allow full-distance sled runs, but you can train all the movement patterns at appropriate intensities.
Q: Is HYROX training popular enough to justify dedicated equipment investment? A: HYROX participation in Australia has grown at 30–40% annually in recent years. In major cities and areas with active running/fitness communities, it's a legitimate differentiating program. In smaller markets, a HYROX-compatible zone that also serves functional training broadly is a safer investment than a fully dedicated HYROX facility.
Summary
A HYROX training setup is more specific than a general functional training zone but simpler than many gym owners expect. The core equipment list — SkiErg, rowing machine, push/pull sled, kettlebells, sandbags, wall balls, and turf — is well-defined and can be deployed in a modular way within an existing facility.
For a complete HYROX training zone or broader functional training setup, browse commercial equipment options at Compound Fitness Equipment — including SkiErgs, rowing machines, sleds, and custom turf installation across Australia.
Summary
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