Hyrox: A Pro Athlete’s View
Is Hyrox the Next Big Thing?
Hyrox has burst onto South Africa’s fitness scene, rapidly attracting a growing number of supporters and participants to the hybrid sport. We want to get to the bottom of what Hyrox is all about, and who better to guide us than the pros themselves?
Enter Vicky MacIntosh, newly minted NPL ambassador and professional Hyrox athlete with an impressive background as both an elite-level triathlete and CrossFitter.
Vicky made history as South Africa's first and only professional Hyrox athlete to qualify for the 2024 World Championships, following a win at her inaugural international pro race in September 2023. At 33 years old, she's making waves in this exciting new sport.
How would you describe Hyrox to someone who is new to the sport?
Vicky explains that Hyrox is a timed race that blends running with functional workout stations. Athletes run 1km, then complete a workout station, repeating this process 8 times.
“What sets it apart is that the format of exercises is fairly safe and simple to perform, which allows the race to be accessible to everyone. There are different age groups, where the exercise stations are then scaled accordingly.”
What nutritional components should Hyrox athletes prioritise?
Vicky stresses nutrition's crucial role in Hyrox, highlighting carbohydrates for energy, proteins for muscle repair and strength, hydration for performance and recovery, and the importance of vitamins and minerals for overall health and athletic performance.
Vicky's Supplement Recommendations:
Where can we expect to see you competing next?
“I have just competed at the World Champs in France which was the highlight of the season.
With the new season now underway, my next race is in September in Cape Town, the first-ever race in South Africa. My goal for that race is to qualify for a Major to qualify for the Elite 15 circuit (the top 15 women in the world), which will most likely take place in Europe in October or November.”
What do you hope to achieve alongside NPL?
"NPL has enabled me to achieve two major goals. First, it allows me to compete regularly on the international circuit and work towards qualifying for the Elite 15. My goal is to put South Africa on the map and, alongside NPL, help pioneer the sport and expand the Hyrox community in South Africa.
Second, I want to share insights on fueling for the sport, especially for women. There is a significant gap in understanding and many misconceptions about how to properly use supplements for training."
NPL is proud to sponsor such an extraordinary athlete, and we look forward to supporting Vicky throughout her training, competitions and Hyrox journey, wearing black and yellow alongside her.
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