What's it really like to teach CEREMONY HYROX™?

Meet the Instructors

• Brian Cunningham | Stephens Family YMCA, Champaign, Illinois, USA
• Julia Lowrie | CLUB4 Fitness, McKinney, Texas, USA
• Rosa Parozci | West Wood Club, Clontarf, Ireland
• Ahmed Babiker | GymNation, Abu Dhabi and Dubai

Why did you decide to train in CEREMONY HYROX?

Brian: I've always enjoyed workouts where you do a variety of moves, especially when you can train athletic strength and agility in a way that provides a full-body challenge. CEREMONY HYROX looked super fun and challenging. I trained because I thought our members would love it for the same reasons.

Julia: CLUB4 Fitness was looking to build out the boutique space, and I was ready to take my coaching to a new level of connection, so the timing aligned perfectly. I have to give a lot of credit to CLUB4 because they continue to provide growth, education, accountability, and care for our journeys.

What is the CEREMONY HYROX training and assessment like?

Julia: What surprised me most was how intentional it was. My trainer really emphasized technique, connection, and individually practicing our class set-up.

Brian: I had a fantastic Instructor! The training prepared me really well for the full-day session, with opportunities to repeat the sequence and build confidence with instructions, demonstrating moves, and completing the warm-up. The difference in my before-and-after video was huge. My assessor also gave me tips to take my instruction up a notch, such as using bigger movements, making eye contact, and positioning myself in front of participants.

How does coaching on the floor compare to teaching on stage?

Rosa: As a DJ, I really enjoy music. I don't forget the beat that easily! Sometimes, depending on the song, I might encourage people on the air bike to go on the beat, with our typical 1-2, 1-2 cue. I also love to jump into exercises if I see someone who needs motivation or is really nailing it. I'm still moving from the front to the back of the room, non-stop. If my class is moving, so am I.

Ahmed: Teaching from the stage means delivering coaching from your position and covering all the different layers of the class. With CEREMONY HYROX, you're much closer to the participants because you're down on the floor with them. I can scan the room, identify who needs more coaching to move safely and correctly, and see who I can challenge to push a little harder.

Brian: When I'm instructing a BODYPUMP™ class, the session also counts as my own workout for the day, so I'm pushing myself hard while delivering instructions, cues, and motivation. In CEREMONY HYROX, my main role is to coach, so I can give each person individual attention, learn their names, correct their form, cheer for their successes, and challenge them to improve.

Julia: The biggest transition has been the greater connection. CEREMONY HYROX allows me to break that 'fourth wall' and really coach someone, not just coach the room.

How does the music support the CEREMONY HYROX experience?

Rosa: I'll be the first one saying: 'Guys, this is a tuneeee!' Music will always push you through the hardest moments. It's great how the vibe builds throughout the class. The participants love it, nodding their heads or moving to the beat.

Ahmed: The soundtrack creates a strong vibe and brings a lot of energy to the room. While coaching, you can also play with the lyrics and beat drops to build excitement and motivate the participants. Some participants even tell me after class how much they love the playlist.

Brian: I like how the music gives you a little energy boost when it's time to push hard. I don't have to focus on listening to the beat and transitions, or delivering an instruction at the perfect moment, so I can pay more attention to the participants.

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Who is CEREMONY HYROX attracting?

Rosa: You might think only advanced people would do this class, but actually it's open to everyone. I have lovely women in their 70s every week. There are beginners, people who started from scratch who are now confident and stronger, partners, friends, and everything in between.

Brian: It's been great. There is plenty of encouragement within the group, and the comments I've heard have been: 'That was fun,' 'That was challenging,' 'I made it!' and 'I'll be back.' So I think we're off to an excellent start.

Julia: The response has been incredible because it's such a wide variety of members. We have athletes who want that HYROX experience, but also members from traditional choreographed programs stepping into something completely new.

The Verdict

For Ahmed, Brian, Julia and Rosa, CEREMONY HYROX has become another way to do what great Instructors do best: bring people together, challenge them, and help members discover what they're capable of. From welcoming people new to the format, to cheering on regulars, the class is creating the kind of energy and sense of community that keeps people coming back.

Could you be a CEREMONY HYROX coach?

You don't need a wall full of medals or a punchy personal best to become a great CEREMONY HYROX coach. The real superpowers are energy, communication, adaptability, and the ability to get the best out of people. If you've ever led a team, taught a class, performed on stage, or been the person everyone looks to when things get hectic, you might already have what it takes. Coaching just gives you another arena to put those skills into action.