Why Your Gear Matters in Hyrox Training?

Hyrox is different from any fitness competition you have seen before. It combines endurance and strength, speed and strategy. This means your equipment must be able to support varied movements, from laps of running to walking lunges with a sandbag. 

Improper footwear, neglecting hydration, forgetting gloves, wearing low-quality clothing, or other issues can affect your rhythm, slow your pace, or worse, injure you. Packing effectively is part of preparing for Hyrox—and the event is just one stage of your overall training journey.

Essential Hyrox Training Kit Checklist

Here is what every Hyrox athlete—whether you are a beginner or elite—should pack:

1. Suitable Shoes Choose lightweight running shoes that have good lateral support. Make sure they are ready to go (but not completely worn out). For turf-based gyms like HIIT Gym West Hampstead, consider shoes with good grip for the sled work.

2. Breathable Performance Gear 

Moisture-wicking tops and shorts/leggings are absolutely essential. 

Don't use cotton: it retains sweat, which creates chafing. 

3. Training Gloves

Especially helpful for farmer’s carries and sled pulls. 

Look for gloves with grip support and wrist protection. 

4. Hydration Gear 

A refillable water bottle or a hydration pack will allow you to keep going through hard sets. 

You might consider adding electrolytes if you will be going longer. 

5. Resistance Bands & Mobility Tools

Use either pre- or post-session to warm up and cool down. 

It will help with mobility and injury prevention. 

6. Towel and Change of Clothes 

Expect to sweat—the sweat will likely be heavy. 

Bring a small towel for the session and a clean change of clothes for after.

Hyrox Training Tips: Packing for Training Days vs. Race Day

This is definitely not to say that you need to transport all your gear every time you head into the gym, but it can be handy to know how to adjust your packing levels.

• 
  If it's a state of mind for you, just remember, for Hyrox Training Days at HIIT Gym West Hampstead, you'll want to pack only shoes, gloves, hydration, and a towel.
• If you tend to train regularly, I'd keep mobility tools and resistance bands in your car (or locker for safety).
• For Hyrox Event Day (this would ideally be a small bag), pack.
• Your own copy of your Hyrox workout plan (printed or stored in your phone).
• Race number, ID, and any documents you may need.
• Spare socks (trust me).
• Your own pre-event snacks (bananas, protein bars, what have you).
• Your own post-event recovery drink or protein shake.

Packing Mistakes to Avoid

1. Using new gear on race day.
2. Test everything out in advance to avoid new blisters, tight fits, or broken equipment. 
3. Overpacking or underpacking.
4. Just take what you need—bulky bags are difficult to manage on a busy day of events. 
5. Forgetting personal essentials.
6. Small items like plasters, deodorant, or hair ties can make a big difference on race day. 

Tailoring Your Bag Based on Experience Level

Whether you are getting ready for your first or your thousandth Hyrox, you will be modifying the kit in your gym bag to reflect your experience.

When you first start, your gym bag will mostly consist of essentials, things that allow you to do your workout well and appropriately: shoes that give good grip (quality running shoes are best), a towel, hydration (a refillable water bottle is best), and a simple, comfortable pair of workout gloves. Also, you may opt to bring a printed copy of your Hyrox workout and a conventional resistance band to warm up or cool down.

Once you start improving as an athlete, your setup can start becoming a bit varied with more support items, with items like mobility tools (foam rollers, massage balls, etc.) and a spare change of training clothes for post-training recovery. You can help support your training with hydration, and adding electrolytes can help meet calorie needs on longer or more intense sessions.

When you start getting to an elite level, you will typically have special items of gear to support the demands of peak performance. Higher-performance clothing, energy gels for quick fuel on endurance sections, knee sleeves for leg joint support, and a personal timer or fitness watch to track your intervals are common items in elite athletes’ bags.

When you carry the training kit appropriate to your level, you feel more prepared, you train smarter, you avoid setbacks, and you accumulate consistent progress overall.

Why the Right Environment Matters?

Your training environment is just as important as your gear. While it's not enough to have just any gym, if a gym knows Hyrox—not the workout but the discipline—it can give you some much-needed advantage. With everything from active Hyrox classes and sled tracks to customised training programs, HIIT West Hampstead is one of London's leading gyms in athletic-only training and event preparation.

You need more than gear. You need coaches who know how to tweak your program. You need a space that caters to all race-day components. You need a community that drives you to achieve better results.

Final Thought: Train Smart, Pack Smarter

Hyrox is a serious challenge, and it's one you should tackle with a level of confidence. Packing the proper equipment can not only make you feel comfortable during the race—it can help you move better, train safer, and ultimately make you stronger. Whether you are getting ready for your first race or to set a new personal best, preparing and packing is part of your performance strategy, so it should be taken seriously.

Pick a training facility that appreciates the demands of Hyrox. One that supports you, challenges you, and has you properly equipped for the journey ahead. That's where it matters.

At HIIT Gym, we have built everything from the turf layout to the training classes to support real athletes, real goals, and real progress. You will feel it the moment you walk through the front doors.