https://youtu.be/H3CfKCX6hcs?si=rw49PM8ozadrdMj3

The biggest weekend in HYROX has arrived, and if you're tuning in to watch the World Championships, here are the athletes you need to keep an eye on. The competition is being held at Stockholm's Strawberry Arena, and this year's field is arguably the strongest we've ever seen. 🏆 Elite 15 Women's Singles ⭐ Joanna Wietrzyk (AUS) The clear favourite heading into the World Championships. Joanna has dominated the entire season, winning major races in Hamburg, Melbourne, Phoenix and Warsaw. She also holds the current HYROX World Record with an incredible 54:25 and will be looking to complete one of the greatest seasons we've ever seen. ⭐ Lauren Weeks (USA) You can never count out the multiple-time World Champion. Lauren pushed Joanna all the way in Warsaw, running a huge personal best of 54:54. If anyone can challenge for the title, it's her. ⭐ Linda Meier (GER) The defending World Champion. Big-race experience matters, and Linda knows exactly what it takes to perform when the pressure is highest. 🔥 Dark Horses Keep an eye on: • Alyssa McElheny (USA) • Lena Putters (BEL) • Sinéad Bent (ENG) All three have consistently been running sub-56 minute performances and could shake up the podium. 🏆 Elite 15 Men's Singles ⭐ Alexander Rončević (AUT) The man everyone is chasing. Rončević smashed the World Record this season with a ridiculous 51:59 and has looked almost unbeatable all year. ⭐ Dylan Scott (USA) One of the breakout stars of the season. His 52:40 performance in Warsaw showed he has the fitness to challenge for the world title. ⭐ Hidde Weersma (NED) The London EMEA Champion. Hidde has been consistently delivering elite-level performances and arrives in Stockholm full of confidence. ⭐ Tim Wenisch (GER) One of the strongest runners in the field. If the race becomes tactical or the leaders make mistakes, Tim has the engine to capitalise. 🤝 Elite 15 Pro Doubles Men ⭐ Rončević & Wenisch Possibly the most feared doubles team ever assembled. They hold the Pro Doubles World Record (47:40) and have been virtually unbeatable together.

One of the biggest mistakes people make in training is never testing their fitness. If you don't test, how do you know if what you're doing is actually working? Testing gives you valuable feedback. It shows whether you're improving, highlights your strengths, and identifies the areas that need more attention. Without benchmarks, you're simply guessing. The good news is that fitness testing doesn't have to be complicated. Many of us grew up with old-school tests like the bleep test, which is still a great way to assess aerobic fitness and track progress over time. Today, we also have more advanced options. If you have access to a c2 bike or somthing similar, a FTP (Functional Threshold Power) test or ramp FTP test can provide a clear picture of your current fitness level and help guide your training zones. Running tests are another simple and effective option. A 1km time trial, 5km run, or even a 10km run can serve as a benchmark. Retest every 8-12 weeks and you'll have a clear indication of whether your fitness is moving in the right direction. The same applies to strength training. While many people use a 1-rep max test, I personally prefer using a 3 or 5-rep max. We're not training for World's Strongest Man, so in my opinion, there's rarely a need to lift something once just to find out how strong you are. A 3 or 5-rep max is often safer, more practical, and still gives you an excellent measure of strength progress. There are also countless fitness workouts that can be used as tests. HYROX has even created its own fitness tests and benchmark workouts. These can be repeated throughout the year to assess progress and identify weaknesses that need addressing before race day. The key takeaway is simple: If it's measurable, you can use it as a test. Track your times, distances, weights, reps, power outputs, or workout scores. Retest regularly, compare the results, and let the data guide your training. Because what gets measured gets improved. When was the last time you did a fitness test?