In the ever-evolving world of health and fitness, a new trend has taken the world by storm: hybrid fitness events. The innovative amalgamation of strength, endurance, and functional fitness in these events has resonated with fitness enthusiasts globally. Prominent hybrid fitness events like DEKAFIT and HYROX have witnessed remarkable growth, reflecting the paradigm shift in the way people engage with fitness. The expanding popularity of hybrid fitness, as many industry experts agree, is no fleeting fad—it’s a significant shift in the fitness landscape.

DEKAFIT: A New Age Fitness Decathlon

DEKAFIT, labeled as the ‘Decathlon of Functional Fitness,’ has witnessed remarkable growth in its event count annually. From a humble 24 events in 2020, the number escalated dramatically to 167 events in 2021, marking a nearly 600% increase. As “The New York Times” aptly noted, “DEKAFIT’s rapid growth signifies the increasing global demand for holistic fitness challenges that balance cardiovascular endurance, strength, agility, and power.”

The subsequent expansion continued into 2022, with the event count reaching 358. Midway through 2023, the company has already hosted 389 events, indicating another year of substantial growth.

The DEKA affiliate network has seen a parallel upsurge. Starting from 25 affiliates at the end of 2020, the network has seen successive expansions with 66 new affiliates by the end of 2021, an addition of 84 affiliates in 2022, and another 70 affiliates as of June 2023, bringing the total to a commendable 245. Earlier this year, DEKAFIT signed its first affiliate in Mexico.

Men’s Health praised this development, saying, “The growth in DEKA affiliates represents the wider acceptance and incorporation of DEKAFIT’s fitness ethos across the world, changing the face of workout routines.”

We reached out to Yancy Culp, Spartan DEKA Co-Creator & Director of Sport” He told us the following:

“The growth of DEKA has been amazing. 99% of our focus has always been on supporting the gym, clubs, studios, and boxes across the country and world in a way that helps them serve their members and community. Every gym owner and fitness coach is in the business of dealing with the world’s most powerful drug – fitness/movement/exercise. They have all seen change and saved lives. We’re in the same business at Spartan and Tough Mudder, and it’s an honor to be partnered with so many amazing gyms and their communities across the country and our quickly expanding network around the world.

One of our key goals with DEKA was to create a sport and provide a starting line for all levels of fitness. A sport that allows all levels the ability to celebrate fitness together. A large percentage of people are not on a good fitness journey; they don’t have a gym membership, they are overweight, unfit, and they aren’t testing their fitness. We wanted to create a sport for this group and inspire them to train and test with purpose. We all can be athletes, and we created a nationally and soon-to-be globally recognized sport for everyone!”

HYROX: Pushing the Boundaries of Strength and Endurance

HYROX, another innovative competitor in the hybrid fitness arena, offers a unique endurance and strength challenge. Starting with a modest 9 events in Germany in the 2018/19 season, the fitness event platform has demonstrated a consistent growth trajectory.

From an initial 5,507 participants in the 2018/19 season, the count rose to 7,498 in the 2019/20 season. The subsequent 2020/21 season, impacted by the pandemic, saw a drop to 1,228. However, the 2021/22 season rebounded significantly, with 21,477 participants across 24 events in Germany, the UK, and the USA.

The 2022/23 season marked an important milestone, with 63,152 participants participating across 39 events in eight countries. As Fitness Magazine said, “The international growth and popularity of HYROX events is a testament to its exciting approach to hybrid fitness.”

Forging Ahead

The phenomenal growth of DEKAFIT and HYROX signifies a transformation in the global fitness landscape. Offering comprehensive fitness challenges, these events are changing perceptions about fitness and athleticism. As noted by The Guardian,” The rise of hybrid fitness events like DEKAFIT and HYROX is a clear indicator of a future where fitness is not just about a specific skill but a well-rounded ability.”

As we venture further into 2023 and beyond, these growth trends of DEKAFIT and HYROX affirm a future where hybrid fitness events could become a mainstream fitness routine.

In the words of Shape Magazine “These hybrid fitness competitions are not just reshaping fitness challenges, they are transforming the way we understand, engage, and enjoy fitness.”