The real test who is fitter

He explains: “Having competed in HYROX and the World Fitness Project, I think the biggest differences are, number one, that HYROX is so heavily endurance-based,” he explains. “Eighty percent of the race is running, and so the athletes that are incredible runners are usually going to be at the top in a HYROX race. Whereas in functional fitness, while endurance is a component, there are eight or nine other events throughout the weekend.”

It makes for an interesting case, he says, “because there is an endurance component to that. You need to be able to rest and recover between events.” Whereas HYROX, he continues, is “all at one time. Both are incredible, both are very difficult and fatiguing in their own ways.”

HYROX, by contrast, simplifies the training focus, making it easier to progress in certain areas but sacrificing variety. “HYROX is a little bit more specifically endurance-based. You are spending a lot more time running,” he admits. “I personally would need to almost dedicate my time entirely to increasing my running speed and endurance there. So, it would be a little simpler, which is probably easier to approach and easier to make progress, but potentially less exciting just because there is less variety.”

Ultimately, both disciplines offer significant fitness gains, but they create different athlete profiles. The HYROX athlete is an endurance specialist proficient in functional strength, while the functional fitness athlete must be the ultimate generalist. “The specialist nature in the World Fitness Project is not as important. You need to be a lot more well-rounded in terms of your skill, power and endurance. I think that is probably the biggest difference.”

While he is exploring the HYROX world, Ohlsen’s competitive history and personal success mean his heart remains in the generalist domain. “To be honest, I love winning. That is something that I have been pursuing for a long time,” he admits. “I happen to be slightly more competitively successful in the functional fitness world and at the World Fitness Project. I am just now dipping my toes in HYROX, and so I think it would take a little bit of time for me to get to the level where I would be as competitively successful in that space. Right now, my preference leans towards functional fitness. It is what I know a bit more.”

Despite the competitive rivalry, Ohlsen is excited by the sheer growth both disciplines are bringing to the wider fitness movement, particularly in events like the Red Bull Gym Clash, which fuse the fun of functional movement with community spirit. “I love the fact that since I have been in the fitness world, there’s more emphasis being placed on fitness for general health, and people are excited about it,” he says. “Culture has kind of embraced it. I think the fact that there are multiple events that people can participate in at multiple levels is awesome, because it is accessible to more people. More people are getting involved, more people are getting excited about fitness. Hopefully, that means more people are getting healthier and living longer as well.”