This year, the June HYROX in New York City absolutely kicked my butt. Between the running, rowing, sled pushes, and wall balls, there were plenty of moments when I thought, “I might not make it through this one.” There may or may not have been tears during the burpee broad jumps. Even though I was completely wiped out, the right products and gyms helped me survive — and even thrive — through every grueling workout.
HYROX is a global fitness race that combines running and functional workout stations — participants run 1km, complete a workout, and repeat eight times. Hosted indoors in expansive exhibition halls, the races create an electrifying atmosphere where spectators can cheer from start to finish. The format is consistent worldwide, allowing global leaderboards and culminating in the HYROX World Championships each season. Designed for both professional athletes and everyday fitness enthusiasts, HYROX is the sport for everybody.
I trained alongside my competition partner, Diego, who has abs that could make the hockey players in Heated Rivalry jealous. Having him by my side pushed me harder than I ever thought possible, keeping every session competitive, motivating, and ridiculously fun. The gyms I trained at gave me the right equipment, space, and community to push my limits. From strength-focused studios perfect for sleds and rowers to spaces that made high-intensity training feel almost fun, these gyms were critical for keeping me going.
Commitment can be hard, especially when you live in a city with so many amazing gyms, trainers, and studios. Diego and I tapped into all the resources around the city, especially the gyms and studios that cater specifically to Hyrox training.
ClassPass
I was an OG ClassPass user — maybe even a beta tester — and I’ve used it in cities all over the world. It’s been a total game-changer for keeping my workouts consistent, especially with my Hyrox training. Every membership unlocks access to thousands of classes, gyms, and wellness experiences, with no visit limits and month-to-month flexibility, so you can go as often as you want without being locked in. The app makes booking simple, tracking credits easy, and keeps your routine fresh — repeat your favorites, mix it up, or try something completely new. I’ve also been able to use it for recovery, like massages and yoga classes, which are always helpful when preparing for Hyrox. It’s also pushed me to actually show up: cancel too close to a class and you get charged, which is surprisingly motivating. With ClassPass, I’ve discovered new studios, tried different types of workouts, and made fitness a seamless part of my day, no matter where I am.
Dungeons & Dragons / Grit City
Dungeons & Dragons and Grit City are my home gyms, both owned by Coach Sean Wright. I’ve been training with him since 2019, and he’s literally seen me at my worst and my best. When I decided to do Hyrox in NYC, I was not in fighting shape — and to be honest, I never really hit it. But Sean was always just a text away to motivate me, make fun of me when I needed a laugh, and give me all the tips for the race. There is literally nothing like a Sean Wright workout. His larger gym, Grit City, is located in the Bronx — and that’s how much I love it. I commute my booty from the Upper East Side just to push sleds, ride the assault bike, and try not to puke. His workouts are absolutely insane and so well thought out; every movement, every station has a purpose. The smaller Dungeons & Dragons gym opened up in my neighborhood on the Upper East Side. It’s smaller, but it hits areas I hadn’t been focusing on as much — more heavy weights, glutes, and targeted exercises that really challenge me in new ways. Somehow, even though it’s only a short walk from my apartment, I’m still always running late — and Sean will never let me forget it. Beyond the training, the people at both gyms have become great friends and supporters. One standout gal has competed in Hyrox in multiple cities and even placed, which keeps all of us inspired and motivated to push ourselves further.
F45 Training Midtown East NYC
F45 Training Midtown East, owned by Jeffrey Catenacci, is part of the global F45 network, a fitness movement built around 45-minute high-intensity sessions that combine HIIT, circuit, and functional training. I first visited for a charity fundraiser workout and actually felt faster than everyone — maybe the first time I’d ever had that experience in a group class — but the next time I returned, I was back to being the slow one, even with Diego outpacing me in nearly everything. He loved the class as much as I did. F45 offers innovative, fast, and results-driven functional group workouts designed to improve real-life performance. The workouts are station-based, which keeps everything moving quickly, and every station and detail is branded F45, making you feel part of a global community while pushing yourself to your limits. Sessions combine cardio, resistance-based strength, or a hybrid of both, all in a dynamic 45-minute format that keeps classes challenging, fun, and focused on helping you become your fittest, strongest, and healthiest self. For a New York gym in midtown this subterranean space is quite large and some great equipment.
Courtesy of F45
The Strength Club
You can go anywhere to work out… but you can’t go anywhere to train like this. The Strength Club, owned by Kenny Santucci, is built around strength, community, and results. Kenny, who started out on reality TV and has a huge social media presence, is the opposite of what you might expect — genuinely kind, supportive, and passionate about fitness. He’s hired amazing coaches to run the classes, and the space itself is gritty, fun, and perfectly located. Workouts push you in every direction — running outside, sprinting up stairs, intense cardio, and weightlifting that actually makes you feel stronger. Kenny is also the creator of STRONG New York, a citywide fitness movement that’s changing the conversation around health, strength, and wellness. Beyond his gyms, Kenny is a massive voice in the fitness world, carving out a niche for those looking to expand their knowledge and take their training to the next level. At Strength Club, you don’t just build muscles — you build a stronger, better life. He also has a line of clothing under Strong New York that is always quality and fun to wear around the city.
The Training Lab
Every time I’ve trained at The Training Lab, I’ve had the chance to work with founder Ruben Belliard, whose experience and drive make it the ultimate Hyrox training facility. Ruben, a former Marine Corps infantry rifleman and instructor who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom, brings the discipline, intensity, and focus of his military background to every session. After leaving the military, he turned his passion for fitness into a career in Manhattan, competing in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Ironman and triathlons, cycling, running, obstacle races, and eventually founding The Training Lab to help athletes push past their limits — especially for Hyrox competition. The two-floor gym is built for serious Hyrox athletes, with specialized classes, world-class coaches, a dedicated competition team, and even reformer treadmills for low-impact cardio. The Training Lab emphasizes mechanics, consistency, and intensity, focusing on the movements, endurance, and strength needed to dominate every Hyrox station — from sled pushes and wall balls to rowing, burpees, and running. Recovery is just as key, with cold plunges, a sauna, Normatec compression, and contrast therapy classes to recharge between sessions. Their philosophy — “You are what you repeatedly do, not what you do occasionally” — drives every workout, challenging athletes to stay consistent, build habits, and exceed their limits. Between the targeted Hyrox training, Recovery Lounge, and supportive community Ruben has built, The Training Lab gives athletes everything they need to train harder, recover smarter, and perform their best on race day.
Courtesy of Training Lab
Orangetheory
I always thought Orangetheory was for the suburban mom, but it couldn’t be further from the truth. At the Upper East Side location, my former run coach Corinne, now a Hyrox competitor, leads classes that are both welcoming and seriously challenging. She and the other coaches guide you over the mic while solid music keeps the energy high, pushing you to give your best every minute. Workouts split between cardio — treadmills and rowers — and functional strength exercises using dumbbells, TRX, and other equipment, creating a full-body training experience. The OTconnect system tracks heart rate zones in real time, making sure you hit the “Orange Zone” to burn calories, build lean muscle, and improve metabolic efficiency. Classes like Orange 60, Tread 50, and Strength 50 each focus on different aspects of fitness, but all are designed to develop strength, endurance, and power — perfect for Hyrox training or general performance. What makes the studio stand out is the balance of intensity and support: you’re pushed to your limits, but in a way that’s motivating and inclusive. By the end, you leave exhausted, exhilarated, and already thinking about the next class. Orangetheory isn’t just a workout — it’s a total-body, science-backed experience that changed much of the fitness game.
Courtesy of Orange Theory and PopSugar
Barry’s Bootcamp
Barry’s Bootcamp has been a fixture in the fitness world since 1998, starting in West Hollywood and coming to NYC in 2011 with the Chelsea studio. Now it’s all over the city, including Upper East Side, Park Ave South, and NoHo. What keeps me coming back is simple: anytime I walk into a Barry’s class, I know I’m going to get a solid, challenging workout. The mix of strength, cardio, and high-intensity intervals pushes you every session, and the energy in the Red Room keeps you moving from start to finish. It is ALWAYS a vibe — the trainers are fun, interactive, and the music is always bumpin’. Each studio has its own personality, and the instructors and community make it feel welcoming no matter where you go. For me, Barry’s isn’t flashy or gimmicky — it’s consistent, it’s tough, and it always delivers, which is exactly what I need when training for something like Hyrox.
Courtesy of Barry’s
Tone House
If you live in NYC and are into fitness, you’ve probably heard of Tone House. It scared me for years — the videos made it look like the hardest, most badass workout you’d ever see. I’d never felt confident enough to go… until Diego stepped in. He knew Elise, one of the trainers, and she made sure I’d survive. For Diego and me, it was one of our most eye-opening workouts. The large room, with black carpets and dim lighting, had us doing everything from bear crawls and sled pushes to wall balls and nonstop cardio drills. By the end, we were exhausted, sore, and inspired. Tone House, founded by Alonzo Wilson, isn’t just a gym — it’s a massive community. They often hold competitions, and many members regularly compete in Hyrox, which keeps the energy contagious. Their TH Strength and TH Conditioning programs go hand in hand, building muscular strength, endurance, and mass while complementing high-intensity cardio and functional movements — perfect prep for the demands of Hyrox. They also have nutrition programming and recovery including cold tub therapy and hyperice.
