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CBC
2 days ago
- Sport
- CBC
Why are so many people fitness racing? A look at this popular way to train
Pilates classes are as booked as ever, and run clubs are still popping up faster than TikTok microtrends. But the latest workout craze that everyone seems to be participating in? Hybrid fitness racing, whether it's a competition hosted by Athx, Deka or, perhaps most notably, Hyrox — a company that's currently dominating social media feeds. But what exactly is it? We spoke with two medical experts and a trainer to unpack the trend, who it's best suited for and how to modify these workouts. What is hybrid fitness racing? This style of training combines running with basic functional exercises — movements like squatting, lunging and pushing — in a timed competition. While the exact stations will vary by company, hybrid fitness races include the same exercises each time, making results easy to compare. By contrast, CrossFit workouts and competitions often include more technical or demanding movements, and are designed to be unpredictable. In a Hyrox race, each participant must run one kilometre, then complete a set of functional exercises, like sled pushes or wall balls. Then, they repeat the whole process seven more times, tackling a different exercise each time. The Hyrox competition, which touts itself as "the sport for every body," has been attracting both pro athletes and everyday fitness-lovers since its inception in 2017. Last May, Time magazine declared Hyrox one of 2024's most influential companies, and the popularity around the race — and competitions like it — has been growing since, drawing thousands of participants and spectators to events around the world. Toronto-based trainer and influencer Gina Amin — who also recently competed in a Hyrox competition — believes fitness racing is the natural progression of community-based workouts: think Orangetheory Fitness, F45 Training and Barry's Bootcamp. Once participants mastered these classes, they were craving more. "I think the next question was, 'What are we training for?' And I think fitness racing gave them that answer," she said, adding that these events feel like a run club session and group class all in one. What are the potential benefits of hybrid fitness racing? It can be good for your heart and muscle health Think of this type of workout as a combination of endurance training, HIIT (high intensity interval training) and functional strength training, supporting both the cardiovascular and musculoskeletal systems, said Dr. Jacqueline Stoller, a primary care sport and exercise medicine physician at Athlete's Care Sports Medicine Centres in Toronto. These workouts can also assist with weight management by burning calories, she said, while the functional exercises can help to improve your overall quality of life by allowing you to do daily activities "with more ease and comfort." Take squats, for example. "Sitting in a chair, sitting on a toilet, getting out of bed — this is all done with a squatting motion," said Stoller. It can help you accomplish your goals Competitions like Hyrox are "all about goals," said Dr. Paul Oh, medical director of the cardiovascular prevention and rehabilitation program at Toronto's University Health Network. And while he wouldn't recommend hybrid fitness racing to those with medical conditions (more on this later), he believes the goal-oriented aspect of Hyrox could motivate people to stick to their training in the long term. The idea of challenging herself is what drew Amin to fitness racing. She was instantly intrigued after watching her boyfriend compete in a Hyrox race a couple of years ago. "Something about it really screamed 'you versus you,'" she said. "It really wasn't about being the fastest runner or lifting the heaviest weight; it was just kind of about being well-rounded, pushing your limits and just showing up for the challenge." It offers a sense of community These races deliver the same social aspect you'd expect to find at a gym or fitness class, which Oh believes is beneficial. "If you're with a community that's like-minded and goal-oriented — that's doing these kinds of fun things and you're cheering or egging each other on — then I think that makes [exercise] more interesting," he said. You're also likely to find fellow competitors at a range of fitness levels. Sure, based on your social feed, it may seem like it's only fitness influencers who partake in Hyrox, but they don't make up the majority, said Amin. She knows of father-and-son duos and grandparents who have entered a race. Who should avoid participating in these races? Oh said those with certain medical conditions, like cardiovascular issues, should steer clear of Hyrox. He also wouldn't recommend anyone who doesn't exercise regularly try to lift really heavy weights or sprint as fast as they can. "It's too fast, too far," he said. "The thing that we want to avoid with physical activity and exercise is getting injured, and that's part of the risk with this." Stoller agreed that people with cardiovascular and respiratory issues should avoid this style of workout. Additionally, she doesn't recommend fitness racing for anyone with an underlying or actively symptomatic muscle, bone, tendon or joint condition, because it can exacerbate the issue. If you're thinking of taking up this type of training, she suggests consulting with your physician to evaluate any risks. Can I do similar workouts at home and skip the competitive part? Although official races are often held indoors at brand-affiliated facilities, and can involve specialized equipment, it's possible to work out like this at home or your local gym. But it's still important to know your limits. Stoller says she is happy to support her patients who wish to explore Hyrox-style fitness plans — as long as the exercises are done with proper form to decrease the chances of injury. For those who are drawn to hybrid fitness racing but have been advised to avoid these fast-paced competitions, Oh suggests trying out some of the races' functional fitness exercises instead. "If you think of the Hyrox menu, [there's] things like rowing, walking with weights," he said. If it's safe for you to adopt this style of training, Amin shared a workout to try on your own time: start with a run on the treadmill, followed by two functional exercises (like burpees, wall balls or rows) and take a break. Then, repeat the process. "It's repetitive, but you're doing something different in every circuit," she said. Will Hyrox-style workouts keep trending? According to recent reports, Hyrox is projected to generate approximately $140 million US in revenue in 2025. But fitness trends come and go — like CrossFit, which Stoller said was really big in her practice for a while. She does think hybrid fitness-style training will stick around, but perhaps not in the same capacity and format.
New Indian Express
10-08-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Assam eviction drives aimed at 'creating narrative' before assembly polls: Experts
On these recent evictions, eminent advocate Santanu Borthakur said: "If it is a forest land, then whosoever stays there for whatever longer period, it does not give them legal rights to settle there permanently. " However, targeting only one community, as seen in the recent cases in Golaghat is "absolutely discriminatory", he added. "The CM's recent comment that no eviction will take place against people from other communities is anti-Constitution and not permitted by law," Borthakur said. In Rengma, 1,500 Muslim families were evicted. The remaining families are from Bodo, Nepali, Manipuri and other communities, who have certificates from the Forest Rights Committee (FRC). According to Kaustubh Deka, an Assistant Professor of Political Science at Dibrugarh University, the eviction drive is a significant and sensitive moment for the state, and the whole episode highlights the critical bearing of the state's complex socio-political history. "The government must maintain a fair balance between three aspects. One, the allegation that genuine Indian citizens are being selectively targeted, needs to be addressed in all earnestness. Two, the rights given to people under progressive environmental legislations such as 'Forest Rights Act' need to be respected," he added. Also, care should be taken that the ongoing process doesn't trigger complications in Assam's already volatile border dispute scenario with many of its neighbouring states, Deka said. Talking about alleged encroachments in inter-state border areas in Rengma, advocate Borthakur said that normally in border areas, the government settles people in the buffer zones so that no encroachment takes place from the opposite side. "We can see such habitation in all border areas. Usually minorities, Gorkha and Bihari people, are settled in such locations," he added. Barua too supported his claim and said that in all the border areas with neighbouring states, usually people or communities originally from outside are settled. "The indigenous people usually do not live there. People from communities like Adivasis, Gorkhas and minorities live in such areas," he added. The reserve forests witnessing recent evictions are along Assam-Nagaland border, where people from the neighbouring state had allegedly attempted to occupy land. The evicted people claimed that their previous generation was settled in the forest by the Golap Borbora government in 1978-79 and the AGP government, which came to power in 1985. Borthakur said, "Without considering the historical background, carrying out an eviction is not appropriate. Legally, the government has the power, but the manner in which that power was exercised is not acceptable. It is inhuman and arbitrary." He also stressed that evicting people without rehabilitation is wrong. Echoing similar sentiments, Deka said, "This is against all democratic norms and practices. Utterly inhumane." Even the Supreme Court judgement says that even pavement dwellers can not be evicted without rehabilitation.
Time of India
13-07-2025
- Time of India
Police destroy narcotics worth 2.94 crore in Lakhimpur dist
1 2 3 4 Dibrugarh: Lakhimpur police on Saturday destroyed narcotics worth Rs 2,94,25,600 at their reserve facility, which included 56g of heroin and 566.112kg of marijuana, seized recently during several anti-drug operations across the district. Senior superintendent of police Gunendra Deka supervised the incineration process, which was conducted in strict compliance with the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, ensuring all legal protocols were followed. "This disposal represents our ongoing efforts to eliminate the menace of drug from our district. This destruction sends a clear message that law enforcement agencies are committed to creating a drug-free society," Deka said. The entire procedure was conducted in the presence of the district drug disposal committee, which oversees such operations, to ensure transparency and adherence to legal requirements. "We have taken all necessary precautions to ensure that the disposal process meets environmental and safety standards. The samples required for legal proceedings have been properly preserved and will be used as evidence in ongoing cases," Deka added.
Time of India
01-07-2025
- Climate
- Time of India
Grim monsoon forecast: Below-normal rainfall in northeast this month likely to trouble farmers
G uwahati: There is an ominous sign for farmers in most parts of the northeast as deficit rainfall was recorded in the first month of the monsoon in June in four out of seven NE states. The IMD has predicted below-normal rainfall in July for the northeastern region. According to the probabilistic forecast of the rainfall during July, issued by the IMD on Monday, while most parts of the country are likely to experience normal to above-normal rainfall, most parts of the northeast are likely to receive below-normal rainfall. Prof Rajib Lochan Deka of the agricultural meteorology department of Assam Agricultural University said, "Mid-June to mid-July is very crucial for transplanting rice seedlings. If the rainfall-deficient situation continues in July, rice production in most parts of Assam and the northeast is likely to be impacted negatively." In Assam, he said that rainfall during the first month of the monsoon 2025 (June) was deficient. "It was largely deficient in Dibrugarh, Golaghat, Baksa, Barpeta, Bongaigaon, Bajali, and Goalpara, where the departure from normal rainfall varied from 62% to 72%," Deka added. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Despite rain wreaking havoc in most parts of the northeast, Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, and Manipur recorded deficient rainfall between June 1 and July 1. Meghalaya recorded the highest 47% departure below normal, followed by a 40% departure in Arunachal Pradesh, a 34% departure in Assam, and a 20% departure in Manipur. Only Tripura, Mizoram, and Nagaland recorded rainfall in the normal range, with a minus 14% departure in Tripura, a 10% positive departure in Mizoram, and a minus 6% departure in Nagaland. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Doctor's Day 2025 , messages and quotes!
New Straits Times
01-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
More investors flocking to 'stable' Europe
PETER Roessner is feeling both sides of United States President Donald Trump's trade war. While tariff risks mean the chief executive officer of Luxembourg-based hydrogen firm H2Apex can no longer rely on US suppliers for its more than €200 million project in Lubmin, Germany, investor interest in European projects is rising. "Investors in the hydrogen sector are now focusing more on the European market due to the absolute uncertainty and planning insecurity in the US," he said, adding that this included both local and US players. "The framework conditions in Europe are not ideal, but they are stable." Roessner's comments are indicative of a trend that has taken hold in recent months: Investors and companies are increasingly turning to Europe, drawn by an infrastructure- and defence-led spending push that offers stability at a time when Trump's erratic tariff policies have made the US market a less safe bet, according to more than a dozen interviews with executives and fund managers. The shift has also been fuelled by Trump's tendency to make sweeping tariff threats and announcements that are then often delayed or changed, and to draw up executive orders that have tested the limits of his presidential power. "The US is coming from a very capital market-friendly and stable environment. Now, there is political intervention and also an attempt to expand power," said Christoph Witzke, who heads the CIO office at Deka, one of Germany's largest investment funds. "This creates uncertainty that some kind of intervention ... could come at any time," he said, adding that Europe had become the centre of attention in the most recent investor conferences as a result. With a July 9 deadline for a trade deal less than two weeks away — and Trump saying he will impose 50 per cent tariffs on all European Union goods without a deal — investors have started shifting their money. Data from LSEG's Lipper Funds show that more than US$100 billion has flowed into European equity funds so far this year — up threefold from the same period last year — while outflows from the US more than doubled to nearly US$87 billion. "All that is an indication that at least market forces, investors, those who move real money around, actually see value and have confidence in Europe," said European Central Bank president Christine Lagarde earlier this month. This shift in focus was also illustrated by the weak market debut of Holcim's North American spin-off Amrize late last month, which was announced to much fanfare in early 2024 at a time when the lure of US valuations also got some of its rivals excited. In contrast, the share price of Holcim itself, now squarely focused on Europe, Latin America and North Africa, soared 15 per cent. Siemens Energy, which makes more than a fifth of its sales in the US, has noted a shift in sentiment, said finance chief Maria Ferraro, on the back of a recent US roadshow and an 84 per cent rise in the group's share price year-to-date. Apart from the improved market view, more investments are also crucial in efforts to revive the EU's economy and narrow its competitiveness gap compared with other regions, most notably China and the US. Closely watched foreign direct investment flows into Germany, the bloc's largest economy, more than doubled to €46 billion in the first four months of 2025, according to the most recent data from the Bundesbank, marking the highest level since 2022. It also shows that German companies even pulled money out of the US in three of the first four months of the year, with their balance of foreign direct investments in April at a negative €2.38 billion. Negative balances emerge when companies either divest more than they invest in a foreign country or decide against extending credit lines to local counterparts. But the picture is not all rosy, with several investors pointing out that Europe is now under pressure to act faster, create better regulation and make good on its spending pledges. "This sentiment can quickly turn again. This should be both a warning and an incentive to use the momentum now and consistently implement the planned agenda," said Stefan Wintels, head of German state-backed lender KfW.
