Andy's Road to HYROX
From class regular
to HYROX finisher
For Andy, strength has never just been about the gym. Originally from Surrey, he grew up skating and playing ice hockey before finding the weights floor in his late teens. But it was a personal commitment that truly shaped his training. For over two decades, he has needed to be strong enough to physically support his partner's daughter, who has movement difficulties. Every session carried real-world purpose.
For years, group classes at Fitness First were his home. He pushed himself harder each time, quietly wondering what more he might be capable of. Then HYROX came into his world.
Preparation wasn't without setbacks. A foot injury weeks before race day forced him to ease back on running. He leaned into what he knew, pushing heavier in training than race day demanded, and trusted the form and coaching he'd built up through classes with his PT Laura.
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Standing in the tunnel before the start, he describes the feeling as sitting on a roller coaster, wondering what he'd got himself into. But once the countdown hit zero, everything he'd built took over. The strength stations held up. The running was the fight. Hearing his team on the sidelines and Laura's voice in his ear kept his legs moving when doubt crept in.
Crossing the finish line, Andy felt pure release. The belief others had placed in him had proven right. He's already signed up for the doubles in December.
At Fitness First, progress isn't linear and results don't come from quick fixes. It's about showing up, again and again. Because when you choose progress, you don't just change your body, you change what you believe is possible.
