HYROX has confirmed the launch of the HYROX Science Advisory Council (SAC) alongside the release of its first Science of HYROX Report.
The new international advisory body brings together five academic experts to provide research and advice to shape the future of HYROX competitions as it seeks to become a recognised international sport.
The SAC officially launched during HYROX London on December 4–7, 2025. This event was one of the largest to date for the fitness racing organiser, with 40,000 athletes competing.
The new council intends to guide research supporting athlete development and safety, contributing to a long-term goal of achieving Olympic recognition by 2032.
Chaired by Ralf Iwan, Head of HYROX365 Academy, the council is a multidisciplinary body of academics from the UK, New Zealand, and Switzerland. It will operate as a think tank, producing an annual report, hosting an annual symposium, and overseeing up to five research projects each year.
The 2025 council members include Dr Phil Graham-Smith from Manchester Metropolitan University, Dr Adam Storey from Auckland University of Technology, Dr Gommaar D’Hulst from ETH Zurich, and Dr Samatha Rowland from Loughborough University.
Insights from the SAC will be integrated into the HYROX365 Academy, which currently supports 75,000 coaches internationaly. Mintra Tilly, HYROX Director of Sport, and Anthony Peressini, Elite 15 Coach, will work with the council to translate academic findings into practical applications for event design and athlete training.
Ralf Iwan, Head of HYROX365 Academy and Chair of the HYROX Science Advisory Council said “As HYROX continues to evolve into a globally recognised competitive sport, its growth must be underpinned by rigorous, evidence-based research and inclusive performance science.”
Iwan added “This council comprises a distinguished panel of leading academic experts from diverse fields and institutions around the world and I am looking forward to the groundbreaking work ahead.”
Dr Adam Storey from the Sports Performance Research Institute of New Zealand at Auckland University of Technology said “I believe that HYROX’s standardisation is fundamental and gives the sport scientific credibility, meaning we can measure, compare and replicate results anywhere in the world.”
The first HYROX Science Advisory Council Symposium is scheduled for March 2026 at the HYROX Coaches Summit. The event will explore how the findings from the inaugural report will influence the sport’s development.
HYROX events feature a race format of 8x1km runs interspersed with eight functional workout stations. The international event organiser operates an ecosystem of events and training programmes aimed at connecting gym communities worldwide.
