Inside HYROX’s New Turf Era and What It Means for Your Training

I remember the first time I walked onto a HYROX sled lane. That thin strip of carpet, duct taped down at the edges, sticky in some parts, slick in others, instantly gave me the sense that no two races would ever feel the same. And honestly, they didn’t. Anyone who has done more than one HYROX knows that how your sled feels on race day is almost a coin toss. Sometimes it glides. Sometimes it drags like you’re pushing a car stuck in mud.

‍

Well, that era might finally be over.

HYROX has just introduced a brand new competition surface for their sled stations. It is called the HYROX x Centr Perform Turf and it made its debut at the 2025 World Championships in Chicago. From now on, this is the turf you will be pushing and pulling on, whether you are racing in London, New York, or anywhere else across their global circuit.

This might sound like a minor tweak. It is not. This is one of the biggest practical changes the sport has made since it began.

‍

Why did HYROX make the change?

There has always been a quiet tension between athletes and the sled stations. Everyone trains on different surfaces, and even within the same venue, some lanes pull like butter and others feel like you have got concrete under your feet. It was unpredictable, sometimes infuriating, and in elite racing, it could cost you a flag.

To solve this, HYROX has partnered with Centr - yes, the same Centr that was co-founded by Chris Hemsworth and later acquired by HighPost Capital - to develop a modular turf designed specifically for sled work. According to HYROX, they tested over 200,000 sled movements across different materials to get the formula right. They wanted something that felt grippy but not grabby, smooth but still demanding.

The result is a custom 16 millimeter turf with a pile height that reduces carpet bunching, maintains durability, and gives a more consistent push across all lanes.

That all sounds great in theory. But what about in practice?

‍

Chicago is the Big Reveal

Next week’s World Championships in Chicago will be the first time the new HYROX x Centr Perform Turf is used in an official race. Until now, no regular HYROX event has featured this surface. All previous qualifiers, including New York and London, were still run on the traditional carpet system.

So while HYROX has tested the turf behind closed doors - including some trials at private venues - Chicago will be the first time thousands of athletes run, push, and pull on it under full race conditions.

That means nobody truly knows how it will hold up over a full day of elite and open heats. There is a lot riding on it. HYROX says the turf has been tested for over two hundred thousand sled movements, but competition is a different beast. 

There are already whispers about how it might feel. Some say it will be smoother, others think it might feel too quick. But no one can say for sure until the sleds hit the floor in Chicago.

What we do know is this - this is a big moment for the sport. If it works, we get consistency, maybe faster races, and fewer complaints about lane luck or a quick course. If it doesn’t, HYROX will need to pivot quickly. Either way, the Chicago Worlds will be one to watch.

‍

What does this mean for training?

If you are a gym owner, a HYROX coach, or just someone chasing a PB on race day, this new turf matters. HYROX has said that their Performance Centres - the official gyms they partner with - will eventually install the same turf to give members a more authentic race prep. That is huge. It means no more guessing what your sled will feel like on race day. It means fewer nasty surprises at your next event.

But if your gym is still running sleds on rubber or carpet, it is worth adjusting your expectations. The new turf may feel slicker underfoot, and it can punish poor foot positioning. That means your technique matters more now. A bad stance or shallow drive might cost you time or worse, throw off your rhythm entirely.

Footwear also comes into play. On slicker turf, grippy soles can make a world of difference. If you are still pushing 

sleds in your old beat-up running shoes, now might be the time to invest in something with a little more grip.

‍

My take

Honestly, I think this is a necessary step for the sport. Standardising the sled surface brings HYROX closer to what it wants to be - a truly global, truly professional competition. It is like when CrossFit finally locked in standard barbell loads or when marathons began measuring every course to the exact meter.

Is the new turf perfect? We’ll see.

‍

Preparing for Your Next Race?

Whether you're lining up in Chicago or later this season, your training needs to go beyond just pushing a sled. Edge Hybrid sessions are built to prep you for every challenge on the HYROX course - from compromised running to high-effort strength stations and balancing your training alongside your schedule.

We break down each movement, build up your engine, and structure your training so you show up ready - no matter what surface is under your feet.

Train smarter. Recover faster. Race harder.

Download Edge today for 7 days free on us!

‍