HYROX for Kids

The physical fitness of children and young people is an important issue as many of them are overweight, have a poor diet and do not feel like exercising. In recent years, the HYROX training approach has gained popularity and is successfully used by many adults. This discussion looks at whether HYROX training is also suitable for children and what the health benefits and risks are.

Health problems in children:

Today's children's lifestyles are characterised by physical inactivity and poor nutrition, resulting in many of them suffering from obesity and other health problems. Obesity is an important risk factor for the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension and other diseases. Physical activity is an important factor in preventing obesity and improving cardiovascular health in children and adolescents.

HYROX training for children:

HYROX is a training approach that consists of different fitness disciplines. The HYROX Challenge consists of eight exercises that are performed on a specific sequence. Each exercise is performed for a set amount of time and there are short breaks between exercises. The eight exercises are: Running, Rowing, Pull-ups, Push-ups, Cycling, Burpees, Wall Balls and Sled Pulls.

Advantages of HYROX training for children:

1. total body workout: HYROX is a total body workout that uses all major muscle groups. This can be particularly beneficial for children as they are still growing and a holistic workout can help strengthen the skeleton and muscles.

2. varied training: HYROX training consists of different exercises that are all coordinated with each other. This can help keep the workout varied and motivating, which is especially important for children as they often quickly lose interest in exercise.

3. improving cardiovascular health: A study by Schmidt et al. (2021) has shown that HYROX training produces significant improvements in cardiovascular fitness. Good cardiovascular health is important for the prevention of cardiovascular disease and can help keep children healthy later in life.

4. social interaction: HYROX can be a way to get children and young people to exercise and socialise in a group. This can help children and young people to enjoy sport more and to do it for longer.

A HYROX like fitness event, which is initiated by Oberschule Rauschwalde's PE teacher Amadeus Jedrinewski and Ralf Iwan is set to be introduced as a pilot project in schools in Görlitz in July 2023. This fitness race is tailored to students aged between 12 to 17 years old and consists of 6 times 600m running and 6 workouts in between the running. The workouts include various exercises such as push-ups, air squats, and burpees, which are designed to challenge and improve the students' fitness levels.

The HYROX fitness event is a unique and exciting opportunity for students to challenge themselves and improve their physical health. It promotes the importance of physical activity and fitness among young people, who are increasingly leading sedentary lifestyles. This pilot project is a great initiative to encourage students to engage in physical activities and lead a healthier lifestyle.

The success of this pilot project could potentially lead to the HYROX like fitness event being rolled out in schools across the country.
This would be a great step towards addressing the growing concern about the fitness issues of children and teenagers in today's society. By introducing programs like HYROX, schools can play a crucial role in promoting and encouraging physical activity among young people.