People paid Rs 8 crore to run, lift at Hyrox Bengaluru event that has India talking

There are workouts you do on a basic gym membership, and workouts you pay extra for, mostly to post about on the 'gram. Marathons, CrossFit throwdowns, Spartan races, Pilates reformer classes with influencer trainers and now, the latest flex. Hyrox. The recent Hyrox event in Bengaluru has ignited a debate on the commercialisation of fitness.

Nearly 9,000 participants reportedly paid $100, or Rs 9,325 each, to participate in the fitness event on April 11 and 12. That's over 8.3 crore rupees of revenue in a day.

The event became the butt of jokes online that the urban middle-class paid such a hefty sum for basic equipment, only for an Insta-worthy photo with a finisher's medal. Though they did leave with better biceps and happier arteries.

People also asked if it wasn't something one could've achieved at a public park for free? Especially since the "fad" reportedly had people travelling from neighbouring states, pushing the total cost of a basic two-day workout to over Rs 20,000. A six-month membership at a decent gym costs about the same.

There are differing opinions on this, though. India Today Digital spoke to a participant, as well as those aspiring to take part in the event in the coming months, to find out more.

First, let's see what Hyrox really is.

WHAT IS HYROX?

Hyrox brands itself as "the World Series of Fitness Racing". It is a standardised indoor competition that combines 8 km of running with eight functional workout stations. The format is simple yet brutal. Athletes complete a 1 km run and reach a workout station, repeating the sequence eight times.

The stations typically include SkiErg (1,000m), sled push (50m), sled pull (50m), burpee broad jumps (80m), rowing (1,000m), farmers carry, sandbag lunges, and wall balls.

Whether in Bengaluru or Berlin, all Hyrox events occur in large exhibition halls, ensuring consistency worldwide. This allows global performance comparisons.

Hyrox offers divisions for individuals (Open or Pro), doubles, mixed doubles, and relays, making it accessible to everyday fitness enthusiasts as well as serious athletes. Organisers describe it as a sport for everybody," and the workouts are a blend of endurance, strength, and mental grit in a spectator-friendly environment.

This wasn't the first Hyrox event in India, though. Mumbai and Delhi have hosted events earlier, but the buzz was never as intense as it was in Bengaluru last week.

The series debuted in Mumbai in May 2025, followed by Delhi, and another Mumbai edition. Bengaluru 2026 marked the first two-day race in the country.

Globally, Hyrox is held in over 85 cities across 30 countries, making it one of the fastest-growing fitness racing series worldwide.

The Bengaluru edition, held at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre, drew a massive crowd of around 9,000, and sold out quickly, which shows the event's popularity in India.

A HYROX PARTICIPANT'S PERSPECTIVE

Prathik Desai, a journalist based in Goa, was among those who took on the challenge.

He travelled to Bengaluru specifically to participate in the event.

"I did it to know my endurance level and understand what areas of fitness I need to work on further," he told India Today Digital.

Desai trained for four months with general strength and fitness sessions, as his local gym lacked Hyrox-specific equipment. "It gave me just that adrenaline rush anybody gets through a high-intensity sport. It also gave me a reality check of how difficult it is and the level of fitness I need to reach," Desai said.

His experience echoes what many seek. A structured test of limits that a solo gym session or casual run cannot fully replicate.

But there are some criticisms over the price tag, which is far higher than a typical gym membership. Some are asking if it is really worth it.

HYROX: FITNESS OR STATUS SYMBOL?

An X post by a user, Ankit Kedia, went viral, highlighting the economics of Hyrox.

Kedia wrote, "Being fit is good. But why are people spending this much on a one-day event? It feels less about fitness and more about validation."

The remark also tapped into the frustration with the rising costs of marathons, which now range from anywhere between Rs 3,000 to Rs 5,000, and other events, where participants pay for bibs, timing chips, medals, and the communal spectacle.

In fact, many participate in Hyrox-like events to network too, schmoozing between the runs and lifts.

Supporters, however, counter that Hyrox provides more than just photos and a medal.

Bengaluru-based lawyers Amrita Pratap and Anjana Satish, and their friends, are considering entering next year and plan to begin preparation soon. It shows that the event's appeal endures despite the high cost and the debate.

"Such fitness events can provide a standardised benchmark for physical progress and foster a sense of community energy, which sometimes pushes people beyond their limits," Pratap told India Today Digital.

Satish also sees it as a positive shift, where urban Indians are moving from being mere spectators to active participants. "What's wrong with paying to get fit? We Indians are already at a genetic disadvantage when it comes to physical fitness. When you take part in events like Hyrox, you realise how they can make your outlook towards fitness far more positive."

However, on social media, many called it a "fitness scam", arguing that the 'I survived Hyrox' badge does not justify the fee.

In truth, Hyrox is what dedicated athletes already do: running, lifting, pushing, pulling, into an expensive, branded experience with the roar of a crowd, and timed results. In India, where the fitness culture is still maturing, events like Hyrox show the desire for measurable challenge workouts.

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