Attendance to BG Life’s Hyrox classes has roughly tripled over the last five months, making it the most popular activity on offer
Sports centre BG Life, based in the south-Wales valleys, has seen a huge growth in the popularity of Hyrox, an endurance event in which participants complete eight 1 km runs, alternating with eight different functional fitness stations that include activities like burpees.
The popularity at BG Life reflects a broader trend. Other gyms, such as Cardiff’s ION fitness, are also expanding their Hyrox classes. Meanwhile, in the last year, Google searches for ‘Hyrox’ in Wales have increased by 254%.
BG Life noticed this trend and began putting on Hyrox classes in June this year. It has quickly become their most popular class.
Jamie Davies, the facilities manager, said class sizes have increased from six to eight participants to 20 to 22 people.
To meet this demand, the centre is investing in new equipment and has moved classes from the gym to the larger sports hall.
Davies credits the popularity to the growing interest in fitness after the pandemic. Post-Covid, BG Life saw a 200% increase in memberships.
In June, market intelligence expert Leisure DB reported UK gym memberships grew by 4.1% in 2024, reaching 15.9% of the population. This surpasses 2019’s pre-pandemic high of 15.6%
“Fitness went from being a nice-to-have to a must-have” Davies said.
Accountancy firm KPMG similarly found, despite the cost-of-living crisis, only 16% of consumers are willing to give up their gym memberships, compared to 44% cutting back on food and drink shopping.
Davies added Hyrox is not highly skilled, and the events have a community-like feel to them. This makes the event more widely appealing compared to similar sports, such as gymnastics or CrossFit.
The demographic of participants is diverse, with a 50/50 gender split and ages ranging from the early 20s to late 50s.
Andrew Roderick, a 28-year-old from Brecon, has recently started Hyrox classes. He said despite being physically tough, its enjoyable because it’s a social activity you can do with your friends.
Davies said: “They can’t get enough of it at the minute, they are always looking for their next race.”
Hyrox functional stations
1000m SkiErg: An upright, stationary machine with a pulley system and handles that athletes pull down in a skiing motion.
50m Sled Push: The athlete pushes a weighted sled across the floor.
50m Sled Pull: The athlete pulls a weighted sled across the floor.
80m Burpee Broad Jump: A burpee with an added forward jump at the end.
1000m Row: Performed on a rowing machine.
200m Farmers Carry: Athlete walks 200m carrying heavy weights in each hand.
100m Sandbag Lunges: A sandbag is held whilst performing walking lunges.
100 Wall Balls: A weighted ball is thrown in the air from a squat position.