From CrossFit to Hyrox: A New Challenge
I’ve been a CrossFit coach at CrossFit Sheffield for over a decade, and if you know anything about CrossFit, you know it prepares you for just about anything—strength, endurance, power, and grit. But recently, I found myself getting pulled into a whole new kind of challenge: Hyrox.
For those who aren’t familiar, Hyrox is a mix of endurance and functional fitness—an 8K run with workout stations in between. It sounded like a great test of overall fitness, but there was just one problem: running has never been my strong suit. And with a knee that’s been giving me trouble for years, I knew I needed to figure out how to train effectively while managing the pain.
Hyrox: Strength Meets Endurance
I actually got into Hyrox by accident. A friend at my gym needed a last-minute replacement when his partner pulled out of a race. I took the spot, and before I knew it, I was fully hooked.
The strength-based movements? No problem. Coming from CrossFit, I was comfortable with pushing, pulling, and lifting. But the running? That was a different story.
I had to seriously step up my running—not just in terms of distance but also in my ability to recover quickly. My training partner was ridiculously fast, and I didn’t want to be the one slowing us down.
Dealing with Knee Pain in Training
For years, I’ve had an ongoing niggle in my knee—I suspect it’s a small MCL tear. It’s not always a problem, but the more running I added to my training, the more I started feeling it—especially in the cold.
Running was putting extra stress on my knee, making it stiff and sore. I’d feel it during training, but the worst part was how long it took to recover after. If I wanted to stay consistent with my Hyrox training, I needed something to help with pain and recovery.
That’s when I started using TEND.
How TEND Helped Me Train Without Constant Pain
I’ll be honest... How's this little guy going to help? But I’d been coaching Will (TEND’s founder) at my CrossFit gym, and he suggested I try it out. I started using TEND before my runs and again in the evening for recovery, and pretty quickly, I noticed the difference.
Here’s what helped me the most:
✅ Better Blood Flow – Using TEND before a run helps warm up my knee and get circulation to the area, which makes a big difference, especially in cold weather. The Focal Vibration Therapy really works!
✅ Less Pain, Faster Recovery – Even if my knee bothers me during a run, using TEND after helps reduce inflammation and stiffness so I can train the next day without issues.
✅ No Need for Painkillers – Instead of relying on medication, TEND helps me manage discomfort naturally, so I can keep pushing without masking the pain.
For the first time in years, I feel like my knee pain isn’t holding me back. It’s not about eliminating pain completely—training hard always comes with some aches—but it’s about managing it so I can stay consistent.
What’s Next?
I’ve now competed in Hyrox pairs events, and I love the teamwork aspect. But at some point, I know I’ll have to take on a solo race to really test myself.
With TEND helping me manage my knee, I’m confident I can keep improving without worrying about setbacks.
So if you’re dealing with knee pain, joint issues, or just struggling to recover between sessions, I’d definitely recommend giving TEND a try. It’s made a huge difference for me, and it might just help you keep pushing forward too.
View our podcast with Ben Here ✨