Hyrox Open vs Pro Division: Which Should You Enter?

Overview

The only difference between Open and Pro in Hyrox is the farmers carry weight - 2x32kg for pro men vs 2x24kg for open men, 2x24kg for pro women vs 2x16kg for open women. Everything else is identical. But the pro field is a completely different competitive environment.

Weight Differences

Farmers carry is 200 metres. At Open weight most athletes can complete it without putting the kettlebells down. At Pro weight it becomes a genuine grip strength and cardiovascular test. If you struggle to farmers carry 2x32kg for 200m in training without stopping, you are not ready for Pro.

Field Depth

Open fields are large and mixed. Pro fields are small and fast. The slowest Pro finisher at most events is still sub-75 minutes. If you enter Pro aiming for 90 minutes you will finish last. There is no shame in Open - the world records for most athletes are set there.

Time Targets

Pro division benchmark: sub-70 minutes for men, sub-80 minutes for women. If you are consistently hitting these times in training simulations, Pro is worth considering. If you are not, Open will give you a better competitive experience and more meaningful ranking data.

Who Should Enter Pro

Athletes who have raced Hyrox multiple times, are sub-70 minute finishers, and train seriously with at least 4 dedicated sessions per week. First-timers should never enter Pro. Second or third-timers should only consider it if their Open times put them in the top 10 percent of their division.

Verdict

Enter Open for your first three races minimum. Learn the format, dial in your pacing, and build race-specific fitness. Move to Pro only when your Open times are consistently competitive and the heavier farmers carry is a genuine training priority, not an afterthought.