When to start training for a Hyrox or CrossFit Open?
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"I'll sign up and see how it goes"—bad idea. Hyrox and the CrossFit Open require real preparation, and timing matters as much as training content. Here's how much time to plan, and how to structure the weeks leading up to it.
For a Hyrox: Plan 10 to 12 weeks
This is the window generally recommended to be ready without injury. Below 8 weeks, you can finish the race, but you won't reach your full potential. Details of the format to prepare for: Hyrox France 2026: everything you need to know to get started.
Weeks 1 to 4: The basics
Prioritize cardio (regular running) and technique on the 8 functional movements. No need to go fast; the goal is to build a solid foundation.
Weeks 5 to 8: Increasing intensity
You introduce combined sessions—running + station—to get your body used to the sequence. This is where true Hyrox specificity is built.
Weeks 9 to 12: Tapering
Real-condition simulation, pace management, then reduced volume in the last 10 days to arrive fresh on D-day.
For the CrossFit Open: It's an all-year-round preparation
Unlike Hyrox, the CrossFit Open (usually in February-March) rewards continuous preparation rather than a one-time peak. That said, if you really want to perform, still plan 8 weeks of targeted preparation before the announcement of the first WOD:
- Work on your weaknesses beforehand: gymnastic movements (muscle-ups, handstand push-ups) and technical weightlifting take time, not improvisation.
- Simulate Open-intensity WODs to get your body and mind used to the competition format.
- Don't neglect recovery in the weeks leading up to the workout announcements.
The signal to just get started
If you've been hesitating for months, the best time to start is now—not in the ideal calendar that never arrives. Set a goal (a Hyrox event, next year's Open), count your weeks backwards, and move forward.
And to train in an outfit that moves with you from day 1, our WOD.LOL collection is here for that.