Scientist explains why CrossFit, HYROX and ATHX create completely different athletes

CrossFit has dominated the world of competitive fitness for over two decades, but the landscape is shifting fast. New formats such as HYROX, ATHX, XENOM and DEKA are attracting growing numbers of participants and hosting their own competitions with their own rules. That raises an obvious question: what actually sets these disciplines apart?

Sports physiologist Dr. Gommaar D'Hulst, known from the YouTube channel WOD-Science, dives into the physiological underpinnings of each format in a recent video. According to D'Hulst, every concept rewards different physical qualities: where CrossFit demands broad versatility, HYROX revolves more around endurance and maintaining consistency under fatigue.

For athletes wondering which format suits them best, or those looking to compete across multiple disciplines, D'Hulst's analysis offers concrete guidance. His breakdown makes clear that training for one format does not automatically translate into strong performance in another, and that making deliberate choices in your training can make all the difference.