HYROX Categories: Open vs Pro – Choose Your Division
HYROX offers two main categories: Open for recreational and progressive athletes, Pro for experienced competitors. The differences in weights, distances, and qualification opportunities are considerable. Discover which category matches your level and ambitions.
Overview: Open vs Pro
HYROX divides its competitions into two major categories: Open and Pro. These categories are not just difficulty levels – they open radically different opportunities in terms of qualifications, prizes, and recognition.
The Open category is accessible to all levels: beginners, recreational athletes, and even experienced competitors looking for a relaxed first HYROX. Weights are reduced by about 30-50% compared to Pro, making it more accessible without being easy.
The Pro category is reserved for serious and confirmed athletes ready to face maximum weights and intense competition. Only Pro provides access to Elite 15 qualification, leading to Majors and HYROX World Championships.
Here are the key differences:
| Criteria | Open | Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Target audience | All levels | Confirmed athletes |
| Weights | Reduced (~50-70% of Pro) | Maximum |
| Competition | Local/Regional | National/Worldwide |
| Elite 15 / Majors | ✗ No | ✓ Yes |
| Price | Cheaper | More expensive |
| Mental level required | Moderate | Extreme |
| Average weights | See table below | See table below |
Open Category: Optimal Accessibility
The Open category is the ideal gateway to HYROX. It's designed to be challenging but accessible, allowing athletes of all levels (beginners, amateurs, recreational) to finish with pride and accomplishment.
Who is the Open category for?
- ✓First HYROX – You've never done HYROX and want to discover without being crushed
- ✓Recreational athletes – You train regularly but aren't an elite competitor
- ✓Returning from injury – You're getting back to training and looking for an adapted competition
- ✓Fun and accomplishment – You're aiming for the satisfaction of finishing, not winning
- ✓Group of friends – You're looking for an inclusive experience where everyone can participate
- ✓Building confidence – You want to progress to Pro after one or more Open races
Official Open Weights (Solo)
| Station | Women Open | Men Open |
|---|---|---|
| SkiErg | 1000m | 1000m |
| Sled Push | 102 kg | 152 kg |
| Sled Pull | 78 kg | 103 kg |
| Burpee Broad Jumps | 80m | 80m |
| RowErg | 1000m | 1000m |
| Farmers Carry | 2 x 16 kg | 2 x 24 kg |
| Sandbag Lunges | 10 kg | 20 kg |
| Wall Balls | 100 reps, 4 kg | 100 reps, 6 kg |
Open Category Advantages
- ✓Mentally accessible – You can focus on technique rather than pure survival
- ✓Less pressure – Competition is less intense, atmosphere more playful
- ✓Excellent preparation for Pro – If you dominate Open, you'll know if Pro is viable
- ✓Strong community – Most participants are in Open, creating a positive atmosphere
- ✓Lower cost – Tickets are generally cheaper than Pro
- ✓No qualification required – You can register directly without needing a qualifying time
Open Category Limitations
- ❌No Elite 15 access – You cannot qualify for Majors or Worlds via Open (except rare exception for 60+)
- ❌No prize money – Open victories don't offer financial rewards
- ❌No worldwide recognition – Your Open results aren't recognized internationally
- ❌Limited progression – Once you dominate Open, you must move to Pro to continue
Strategy to Excel in Open
Master the run between stations
Open or Pro, 80-90% of your HYROX time comes from running. Prioritize cardiovascular endurance and running efficiency.
Explore stations without rush
In Open, you have more "margin" to execute movements well. Learn the technique of each station rather than seeking maximum speed.
Establish a baseline for Pro
Your Open time becomes your baseline. Moving to Pro, you'll know how much the heavy weights will slow you down and can adapt your preparation.
Test your mental limits
Use Open to explore your mental resilience. Where do you crack? At which station? Use this information to prepare for Pro.
Pro Category: The Ultimate Challenge and World Qualification
The Pro category is for serious and experienced athletes. Weights are 50-100% heavier than Open, creating an extreme physical and mental challenge. Only Pro provides access to Elite 15, the world qualification circuit to Majors and HYROX World Championships.
Who is the Pro category for?
- ✓Confirmed athletes – You've completed at least one HYROX with solid performance
- ✓High-level competitors – You're looking to test your absolute limits
- ✓World ambition – You dream of Majors and World Championships
- ✓Raw strength – You excel at heavy lifts and endurance under load
- ✓Steel mindset – You thrive under extreme fatigue and pressure
Official Pro Weights (Solo)
| Station | Women Pro | Men Pro |
|---|---|---|
| SkiErg | 1000m | 1000m |
| Sled Push | 152 kg | 202 kg |
| Sled Pull | 103 kg | 153 kg |
| Burpee Broad Jumps | 80m | 80m |
| RowErg | 1000m | 1000m |
| Farmers Carry | 2 x 24 kg | 2 x 32 kg |
| Sandbag Lunges | 20 kg | 30 kg |
| Wall Balls | 100 reps, 6 kg | 100 reps, 9 kg |
Weight Increase: Open vs Pro
Here are the weight multipliers between Open and Pro:
| Station | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|
| Sled Push | +50 kg (+49%) | +50 kg (+33%) |
| Sled Pull | +25 kg (+32%) | +50 kg (+49%) |
| Farmers Carry | +8 kg/hand (+50%) | +8 kg/hand (+33%) |
| Sandbag Lunges | +10 kg (+100%) | +10 kg (+50%) |
| Wall Balls | +2 kg weight, same reps | +3 kg weight, same reps |
Real impact: These cumulative increases slow your time by 15-30 minutes depending on your profile. A 60 min Open time becomes ~80-90 min in Pro.
Pro Category Advantages
- ✓Elite 15 and world qualification – Only access to Majors, Worlds, and prize money
- ✓Confirmed athlete recognition – Competition against the best athletes
- ✓Ultimate challenge – Test your absolute limits and discover what you're capable of
- ✓Prize money – Pro podiums offer financial rewards (depending on event level)
- ✓Elite community – Surrounded by serious athletes creating a high-intensity atmosphere
- ✓Career progression – Possibility to become a sponsored/professional athlete
Pro Limitations and Challenges
- ❌Extreme mental load – Pro is infinitely more demanding than Open
- ❌Qualification required – You must have valid times to access Majors (see Elite 15)
- ❌More expensive tickets – Pro entry costs more
- ❌DNF risk (Did Not Finish) – Without adequate preparation, the risk of abandonment increases
- ❌Higher injury risk – Heavy weights and extreme fatigue increase injury risk
- ❌Mental burnout rate – Pro intensity can be psychologically destructive if poorly managed
Progression: from Open to Pro
Step 1: Complete an Open with good results
(respectable time for your level)
Step 2: Analyze your Open performance
- •Where did you crack? (Mentally? Physically?)
- •Which stations killed you?
- •Was your raw strength or cardio the bottleneck?
Step 3: Train specifically for Pro (6-12 weeks)
- •Progressively increase your training weights
- •Work on problematic stations first
- •Build mental endurance
Step 4: Be realistic
Pro isn't for everyone, and that's OK. If Open crushed you mentally, Pro will be exponentially harder. Use Pro when you're truly ready.
Elite 15: How to Qualify for Majors and Worlds
Elite 15 is HYROX's professional league. Only the Pro category provides access. It's the qualification system that determines who races at Majors (4 regional events) and the HYROX World Championship (pinnacle of the sport).
Elite 15 Overview (2024/25)
Who qualifies?
The 15 best female athletes and 15 best male athletes of the Pro season
How to qualify?
- •Auto-qualification: Previous season Major winners, Top 3 from previous year's Worlds
- •Time qualification: Your 2 best Pro times from the last year (rolling 365 days) give you access to the Major qualification ranking
- •Qualification via Majors: Top 3 from each Major qualify directly for Worlds
Elite 15 Pathway
Regular Pro Races (all year)
↓ Time accumulation
Major Qualification (top times or auto-qual)
↓
4 Regional Major Races
↓ Top 3 from each Major = Worlds
+ Last Chance Qualifier (for 3 remaining spots)
↓
Elite 15 World Championship
Major Qualification Requirements
You can qualify for a Major if:
- •You have 2 valid Pro times in the previous 365 days
- •Your 2 best times rank you in the top 15 of the dynamic ranking
Example: You run a Pro in January 2025, then another in June 2025. These two times are "averaged" and compared to the dynamic ranking. If you're top 15, you're invited to the next Major.
Advantages:
- ✓International competitor status
- ✓Media exposure and community
- ✓Prize money at each Major and World Champs
- ✓Potential sponsorships
- ✓Recognition as a HYROX athlete
Challenges:
- ❌Requires 2 valid Pro qualifications (non-trivial)
- ❌Most of the circuit is outside France (expensive travel)
- ❌Very intense competition (you race against the best)
- ❌Extreme psychological pressure
- ❌Requires full-time commitment (training + travel)
Strategy to Qualify for Elite 15
Step 1: Establish 2 qualifying times
Complete 2 Pro races with times sufficient to enter top 15. This means training seriously and aiming for solid performances.
Step 2: Monitor the dynamic ranking
HYROX updates the ranking after each race. Check your position on hyrox.com and understand where you rank.
Step 3: Confirm your Major spot
Once qualified, you receive an invitation to the next Major. Pay your fees and start preparing.
Step 4: Prepare for Elite 15
Majors are ultra-competitive. You race against the 15 best athletes of your gender worldwide. It's pure professional level.
Detailed Comparison: Open vs Pro by Station
Complete weight table
| Station | Women Open | Women Pro | Men Open | Men Pro | More difficult |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sled Push | 102 kg | 152 kg | 152 kg | 202 kg | Pro +40-50% |
| Sled Pull | 78 kg | 103 kg | 103 kg | 153 kg | Pro +25-50% |
| Farmers Carry | 2×16kg | 2×24kg | 2×24kg | 2×32kg | Pro +50% |
| Sandbag Lunges | 10 kg | 20 kg | 20 kg | 30 kg | Pro +100% (women) / +50% (men) |
| Wall Balls | 100×4kg | 100×6kg | 100×6kg | 100×9kg | Pro +50% (women) / +50% (men) |
| Average time | 50-70 min | 75-100 min | 45-65 min | 70-95 min | Pro +20-40 min |
Age Categories: An Additional Dimension
Beyond Open vs Pro, HYROX also offers age categories (Age Groups). You can compete against your division AND your age group. For example, a 32-year-old woman in Open Women competes in the 30-39 bracket.
Official Age Groups
Solo:
Doubles:
Relay:
Why Age Groups?
Age Groups create competitive equity. A 50-year-old Open athlete doesn't compete directly against a 25-year-old for the title, as they have different physical conditions.
You can win:
- •Your division (Open Women Global Winner)
- •Your Age Group (Open Women 50-59 Winner)
Many athletes have more success winning their Age Group than attempting the global division.
How to Choose: Open or Pro?
Are you new to HYROX?
→ Start with Open. Discover the experience, learn the stations, test your mental game. Move to Pro once you master Open and understand your limits.
Have you completed 1-2 HYROX in Open with good results?
→ You're a candidate for Pro. If you have the mental energy and strength, explore Pro.
Are you seeking elite/Majors/Worlds qualification?
→ Pro is MANDATORY. It's the only path to Elite 15.
Are you seeking fun and accessibility?
→ Stay in Open. There's no shame in staying Open your entire HYROX career. Many athletes excel in Open and thrive there.
Are you physically strong but mentally fragile?
→ Open may be a better choice. Pro is an extreme mental test. If you have doubts, Open allows you to explore your mental limit gradually.
Are you aiming for a personal record or ranking?
→ Aim for Open with ambition. An excellent Open time is more satisfying than a bad Pro time.
Specific Training: Open vs Pro
Preparation for Open and Pro requires different approaches. Open prioritizes technique and endurance, Pro demands raw strength and extreme mental resilience.
Discover our personalized HYROX coaching programs designed specifically for your category (Open or Pro). Our expert coaches adapt each session to the weights and demands of your division.
FAQ: Common Questions about Open vs Pro
Q. Can I switch from Pro to Open after a race?
A. Yes, technically. But psychologically, it's difficult. Once you've tasted Pro, Open may seem "easy" and less satisfying.
Q. What Open time should I aim for before moving to Pro?
A. There's no minimum time. But generally, if you've completed Open in under 75 min and feel good mentally, Pro is feasible.
Q. Can I qualify for Elite 15 in Open?
A. No, except for the 60+ category (rare exception). Elite 15 is exclusively Pro.
Q. How much time difference between Open and Pro?
A. On average 15-30 minutes slower in Pro, depending on your raw strength. Some athletes lose 40+ minutes.
Q. Are Pro weights really 2x heavier?
A. No, not everywhere. Sled Push Women: +50kg (+49%), Sandbag Lunges Women: +10kg (+100%). It's an increase of 30-100% depending on the station.
Q. I'm weak at heavy weights. Should I stay in Open?
A. Not necessarily. If you have excellent cardio and mental game, you can compensate with running. Pro tests your entire profile, not just strength.
Q. What's the "swag factor" between Open and Pro?
A. Pro is more prestigious and recognizable. But finishing an Open is already a huge achievement. Respect comes from the effort, not the category.