Financial Planning and HYROX is there a link ?
I like a challenge and although I am a self-confessed peloton addict, I joined a gym last year to focus more on strength training and form.
I then came across HYROX. I watched friends post picture of their patches and times, exhausted, elated but hooked. So in October 2025 I decided I needed a goal to focus on, So I thought I would check it out for myself by signing up for an open solo in Glasgow, March 2026.
Fitness wise, nutrition wise, mentally I was strong, but a big worry was whether my body would hold up. My sporting background has taken its toll over the years and I wasn’t sure if my new hip replacement, three ACL repairs and nine knee surgeries would stand up to the job.
I had to start training but where did I need to focus? Should I strengthen my knees to withstand the exercises or should I save the knees for competition. I realised quickly that the key to training and to some extent the HYROX competition itself, wasn’t to think about the whole race, but instead break it down into bite sized chunks. Isolating one run at a time, one station at a time.
When I started thinking about this in small steps to a greater goals, I realised it is exactly our approach to financial planning and how we assist clients. Personal finance is complex and can be overwhelming sometimes client know they need assistance but don’t know where to start. We work with them to help identify goals and objectives but importantly we don’t address everything at once. We break it down, identify priorities and then address one clear objective at a time. Less overwhelming and easier to digest.
What Exactly Is HYROX?
HYROX is a global fitness race that has taken the endurance world by storm. Founded in Hamburg in 2017, it’s now held in arenas worldwide including Glasgow, Edinburgh, Manchester and London drawing everyone from elite athletes to first-timers like me.
Unlike a marathon or a CrossFit competition, HYROX sits uniquely in the middle, a standardised race that anyone can train for, measure against and improve upon. Every single event, worldwide, follows the exact same format. That consistency is part of its genius.
The structure is simple but brutal, 8km of running, broken into 1km segments, each followed by a functional fitness station. Eight runs. Eight stations. One finish line.
The 8 HYROX Stations and What They Really Demand
Each station tests something different. Together, they build a complete picture of your fitness, strength, endurance, coordination and grit.
Station 01 – SkiErg – 1,000m
A full-body pull on a ski machine. Arms, core, lungs all working at once from the very first station, I found this one OK I was fresh and have no arm or shoulder injuries, so far, so good.
The Run
Between each of these stations is a 1km run, this is like our annual CPD, regulatory returns, file checks. The bit in between that no one really appreciates or realises the effort you put in.
Station 02 – Sled Push – 50m
Is a loaded sled, you need a low stance, pure muscular effort. Tricky with bad knees, it was slow and hard but build the momentum and keep moving.
Station 03 – Sled Pull – 50m
Next is the same sled, different direction pulling it back with a rope. This tests your ability to adapt and stay disciplined under fatigue, again this one wasn’t too bad but your arm muscles do start to burn.
Station 04 – Burpee Broad Jumps – 80m
This is the one everyone dreads particularly me, relentless. I couldn’t generate a big enough jump, which meant I had to do more burpees. It certainly tests mental fortitude more than anything else on the course. I was glad to get it over by far my slowest station.
Station 05 – Rowing – 1,000m
I was glad to get a ‘rest’ after those burpees, this is about controlled technique over raw power. It was a chance to breathe, reset and find my rhythm again mid-race.
Station 06 – Farmer’s Carry – 200m
This station involved carrying heavy kettlebells, both hands, keep walking and don’t stop. Grip, posture, composure under heavy load, I found this a breeze, must be from carrying my girls over the years!
Station 07 – Sandbag Lunges – 100m
As you can image this one was also a struggle, my knees were aching, I was close to giving up, I was focused so much on what was coming next, I did an extra lap of running on run 7, what an idiot! But as I got into it, weighted down, one leg at a time, the full length of the arena floor, I was determined to finish. I knew there was only one more station, I could hear my girls cheering me on with their signs, it gave me a real boost. Slow, measured progress.
Station 08 – Wall Balls – 100 reps
The one I dreaded the most, the finale the point I thought my knees would finally buckle? It involves a weighted ball, thrown overhead, caught, then a squat below 90 degrees, repeat until 100 are done. Pure mental and physical endurance. I focussed on the end I wasn’t giving up now.
Not All HYROX Races Are the Same, Not All Financial Plans Are The Same.
One of the most appealing things about HYROX is that there’s genuinely a version for every level. You don’t have to be an elite athlete to enter and you don’t have to go it alone.
| Category | Who It’s For | Format | Key Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solo (Open) | First-timers and everyday athletes | Individual — full race, standard weights | No pressure, just personal best. Your race, your pace. |
| Doubles | Partners, friends, couples | Two people split the running and stations between them | Shared effort, one runs while one rests. Great entry point for beginners. |
| Relay (4 person) | Teams, corporate groups, mixed abilities | Four people rotate through sections | Highly social, lower individual intensity. Perfect for mixed-ability groups. |
| Pro | Competitive athletes chasing podium places | Heavier weights, faster qualifiers, seeded waves | This is where elite performance separates the field. Not for the faint-hearted. |
| HYROX Sim Race | Anyone wanting a trial run | Gym-based simulation of the full race format | Train the format before race day. No crowds, no pressure, just preparation. |
With HYROX & a Financial Plan, You’ve Got to Start Somewhere
Again very similar to a financial plan, you have to start somewhere. You can’t just rush in to full financial planning, you might not need full financial planning. With HYROX you to build up fitness at a daily or weekly class, station by station or then try a simulation before the event, some coaching was crucial from an expert. This allowed me to build my technique, understand the best way to go about the race and adjust my race accordingly, Smart, measured prepared, just like a financial plan.
The Lesson That Carries Beyond the Finish Line
Finishing HYROX was my goal, my target , my ambition. Without this focus my training would have been in vain. I am not superhuman, albeit I have a few robot like joints, but I had a plan, consistent training and when it got hard as life sometimes does, I just reminded myself, one station at a time.
Your financial life has its own stations, protection, savings, tax efficiency, investment, retirement, estate planning. If you tackle them all at once it can be overwhelming. But work through with guidance one at a time, at the right pace and before long you are further than you thought possible. It takes the same self discipline training for hyrox as it does to stick to a financial plan.
That is exactly how we work with our clients. We break the bigger picture into manageable, meaningful steps. We work along side you, coaching you, encouraging you when the course gets tough. We keep you moving forward as your trusted partner. Your health is your wealth, so these two things go hand in hand.
Ready to map our your financial race?
Whether you’re just starting out or deep into the course, we’ll help you understand where you are and what the next station looks like.
Book a conversation >>> or call us to take the first step on 0141 221 3222
BE AWARE
This information is for guidance only and does not constitute regulated financial advice. To ensure you have personalised advice for your particular set of circumstances, you must make an appointment and speak to one of our professional advisers. Please note these services are chargeable. The facts in this article were correct at time of writing, but you may be reading it in the future. Always check rates and allowances before taking action or speak to a qualified financial planner. All investments carry an element of risk, they can fall as well as rise and you may not get back what you pay in. Errors & omissions excepted.
#Consistency #training #HYROX #HYROXStations #HYROXDiscipline #HealthisWealth #ExpertHelp #RaceDay
PS It wasn’t an excuse, I really do have terrible knees! But I have signed up for another Malaga here I come!
