Global functional fitness race brand HYROX kicked off 2026 by launching  “Youngstars”, a new competition format designed for children and teenagers aged 8 to 15. The initiative adapts the core HYROX concept—standardized races combining running and functional workouts—by adjusting distances, loads, and movements according to age groups, with the aim of ensuring safety, accessibility, and an age-appropriate competitive experience. The format has already completed its first test event and is now entering its international rollout phase.

Debut in Amsterdam, International Expansion Underway

The first official HYROX Youngstars event took place on **January 24–25, 2026, in Amsterdam**, marking the formal launch of the youth competition structure. The event served both as an operational test and a conceptual validation, combining competition, family participation, and a strong educational atmosphere. According to organizers, the response was positive in terms of both participation levels and audience reception.

The next confirmed stop will be **HYROX London Olympia on March 28–29, 2026**, where the Youngstars races will run alongside the main HYROX event. This integration signals that Youngstars is not a one-off initiative, but a long-term development embedded within HYROX’s global competition ecosystem.

Adapted Format, True to the HYROX DNA

Unlike some independent youth sports programs, HYROX Youngstars is not a separate circuit. Instead, it is an age-adapted version of the standard HYROX race format. Participants compete in age-group categories, completing functional workout stations and running segments specifically designed for their developmental stage.

Rather than simply reducing the physical demands of the adult race, the format has been redesigned around principles such as technical control, progressive loading, and close supervision. Additional judges and specialized staff are present to ensure movement quality and competition safety. In positioning, Youngstars emphasizes both the competitive experience and sports education.

Strategic Move to Build a Long-Term Fitness Ecosystem

The launch of Youngstars reflects HYROX’s broader strategy to strengthen its position as a global competition ecosystem. By introducing youth categories, the brand aims to reach new audiences, expand its participant base, and deepen connections with families, sports clubs, schools, and fitness operators.

From an industry perspective, the move aligns with a growing trend: the development of structured, safe, and standardized fitness and sports formats for younger age groups. Such formats are designed to improve long-term engagement in physical activity and create a natural pathway into competitive or structured training models in adulthood.

HYROX has indicated that Youngstars was conceived as an international series from the outset, with additional events expected to be announced across different countries.While the standard HYROX format already has an established presence there, the youth format appears to be in an initial validation phase before wider expansion.

New Opportunities for the Professional Fitness Sector

Beyond competition, the introduction of Youngstars opens up new opportunities for the professional fitness industry. Structured youth events can create collaboration possibilities with gyms, functional training studios, personal trainers, and brands working with younger audiences, covering areas such as physical preparation, sports education, and event organization.

On a broader level, the initiative reflects a clear industry direction: building long-term participation pathways, from youth engagement to advanced adult training. With Youngstars, HYROX is adding a new piece to its long-term growth model.

As international expansion continues and more host cities are announced, HYROX Youngstars could become a new growth segment in the global youth functional fitness competition space, while also opening fresh opportunities across the fitness industry value chain.