HYROX 2025: I AM A COACH. You are a Coach. We are all Coaches. Or not.
“HYROX demands specificity, but before you preach it, you better live it. Test, train, prepare, race, compete—then do it all over again. That’s the process. That’s the foundation. That’s what every coach should demand of themselves before trying to lead others.”
HYROX is exploding. More races, more athletes, more attention, more money. And with that, an influx of new “coaches” flooding the scene, many of whom have barely scratched the surface of what this sport demands. Some are “athletes”; others are experienced coaches coming mostly from CrossFit and triathlon—sports with their merit—but with little to no authentic HYROX experience, at least for now. They do one, maybe two races, slap on the “HYROX Coach” title and start selling programs and looking for pseudo-legitimacy.
Would we accept this in their world? Imagine someone doing a single CrossFit competition or finishing one 70.3 Ironman and immediately launching a “specialized” coaching program. It would be laughable. Yet, in HYROX, it’s happening at an alarming rate. And worse? Our community is enabling it, giving them a loud voice and, in my opinion, too much credit.
HYROX is unique. It’s not CrossFit. It’s not a triathlon. It’s not simply running with a few functional movements thrown in. It’s a sport with its own demands, rhythm, and tested methodologies. Do we need a more science-based approach? Yes! Do we need better coaches and programs? Absolutely. But growth happens organically. It takes time. It takes trial and error. Thoughtful input is always welcome, but there’s a big difference between constructive insights and arrogant, “know-it-all” attitudes.
We, the HYROX coaches who have been here season after season, testing, training, racing, failing, learning, and repeating, are the ones who have built this sport from scratch. Five years of consistent development have evolved the sport, refining the approach and proving what works.
Even our own reference points—podcasts, blogs, channels—are guilty of giving them the platform. And by doing so, they devalue what we and themselves have built.
The Value of Experience
At The Lousa Way, we’ve spent five seasons coaching HYROX athletes at every level. Over 200 of our athletes have qualified for World Championships since 2021. We’ve trained, competed, and adapted alongside this sport’s evolution. Some of our coaches have competed in more than 30 races. Three of our coaches are or have been World Champions. Same with Lukas Storath, Tom and Dena Hogan, Daniel Arazola, Jade Skillen, RMR, Markus Frisson, and others. That is what expertise looks like.
HYROX demands specificity, but before you preach it, you better live it. Test, train, prepare, race, compete—then do it all over again. That’s the process. That’s the foundation. That’s what every coach should demand of themselves before trying to lead others.
Moving Forward: Guarding the Sport’s Integrity
HYROX must welcome new insights and innovation—absolutely. But we must also value our own experience, our own coaches, and our own proven methodologies. We’ve put in the years, built the systems, and know what works.
So, let’s be clear: Not everyone who shows up once is a coach, and not everyone who completes a race is qualified to program for others. This is our sport. Let’s treat it that way.
And yes, you are all welcome. Just come with an open mind and be ready to learn.
We’re also committed to making this sport more scientific and structured. As some of you may know, I’ve been conducting various tests, including altitude training in Kenya. I’ll undergo lab-based VO2 max and lactate testing, competition analysis, blood testing, and more in the coming days and weeks. This will be documented and shared in the next few weeks to help our community!
About Tiago Lousa:
Over the past seasons, Tiago and his team have coached hundreds of athletes online, guiding them through their HYROX journey and being present in races.
As the Owner, CEO, and Head Coach of a HYROX Official Training Center: ALPHADEN, Lisbon, Portugal, over the past four years, Tiago has firsthand experience leading group classes, developing coaches and programming, and working closely with athletes—seeing them progress from complete beginners to AG podium finishers and World Championship qualifiers.
As a Hyrox athlete: 2021 Elite 3rd place in the World Championships, Leipzig, Germany; 2023 Elite 9th place in the WC in Manchester, UK; Current European and World Champion on the AG 40-44.
More about Tiago Lousa
No matter what you think or say, there is no substitute for this kind of experience—no scientific knowledge, no shortcut. It simply takes time, dedication, and consistency!
We all can get there, but if you want integrity and sustainability, you must invest your time and energy.
