The watch that officially promotes HYROX modes is Amazfit. The Balance 3 has 4 ("Race, Fitness Test, Training, Simulation") and the Balance 2 has 2 ("Race, Fitness Test"). The gap at regular price is JPY 19,910.
The Shoe Nerd's top pick
If you're buying for HYROX, the Balance 2 is enough. Race recording and the fitness test come in both models. The Balance 3 adds 2 modes for training, and that costs about JPY 20,000 more. If you enter 1 or 2 races a year, the first 2 are what you need.
Key points
- Amazfit was announced in 2024 as an official wearable partner of HYROX
- The Balance 3 has 4 HYROX modes, the Balance 2 has 2
- Watches appear in neither the permitted list nor the prohibited list in the rulebook
Why a regular watch struggles to record HYROX
HYROX switches between runs and stations 16 times: 8 runs and 8 stations. If you measure with a running watch's mode, the time spent pushing the sled is also recorded as running, and the 1km splits drift out of line.
What you want is a function that separates "which run am I on now" and "how many minutes did this station take" at every switch. Amazfit builds a dedicated HYROX mode into the watch.
Amazfit and HYROX
Amazfit announced on Aug 29, 2024 that it is HYROX's "official wearable partner and official timer." At the time of the announcement, the term was given as 2 years.
The official Japan site has a HYROX page, headed "the only official smartwatch with a HYROX mode."
Which watch suits HYROX? HYROX modes by model
I could confirm the contents on the product pages' sport-mode lists for 2 models.
| Model | HYROX modes | Regular price | Rakuten price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Balance 3 | Race / Fitness Test (PFT) / Training / Simulation | JPY 63,800 | JPY 43,890–63,800 |
| Balance 2 | Race / Fitness Test (PFT) | JPY 43,890 | JPY 43,890–63,800 |
The gap between the 2 models is 2 modes and JPY 19,910 (63,800 − 43,890). Only the Balance 3 has "Training" for practice and "Simulation" to try the race start to finish. You can also send practice templates from the app to the watch.
Race recording and fitness-test recording are in both models. The fitness test is a 6-event test that helps you choose a division (see the fitness test article).
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Amazfit Balance
Lowest price on Rakuten is JPY 43,890 (as of 10/13), ranging up to JPY 63,800 depending on the shop. Prices change daily.
RecommendedSee it on Rakuten IchibaModels and prices on the HYROX page
The official Japan HYROX page lists these 8 models.
| Model | Regular price |
|---|---|
| Bip Max | JPY 19,980 |
| Active 3 Premium | JPY 28,900 |
| Active MAX | JPY 28,900 |
| Balance 3 | JPY 63,800 |
| Cheetah 2 Pro | JPY 74,800 |
| T-Rex Ultra 2 | JPY 89,900 |
| Balance Ultra | JPY 99,800 |
| Cheetah 2 Ultra | JPY 99,800 |
The gap between the cheapest, the Bip Max, and the most expensive 2 model is JPY 79,820 (99,800 − 19,980), about 5 times.
I confirmed the modes on the product pages only for the Balance 3 and Balance 2 above. When buying a model in the JPY 20,000 range, first check whether the product page's sport-mode list has a "HYROX" row.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Amazfit smartwatches
Lowest price on Rakuten is JPY 15,800 (as of 10/13), ranging up to JPY 99,800 depending on the shop. Prices change daily.
RecommendedSee it on Rakuten IchibaSee it on Yahoo! Shopping JapanDoes Garmin have a HYROX mode?
For Garmin, Garmin's Swedish official blog has an article on how to record HYROX. It explains how to build it yourself with the function that chains several activities in sequence. The article also says that, at the time of writing, there was no event equivalent to the SkiErg.
If you already own a Garmin, you can record with this build-it-yourself method.
Can you wear a watch in a HYROX race?
This is something I can't state clearly. The equipment rules in the official rulebook have a list of what you can use and a list of what's banned. Watches and smartwatches appear in neither.
And there is a sentence saying that anything not on the permitted list is, in principle, not allowed. Read literally, watches are on neither list. On the other hand, there is also the fact that the official timing partner is a watch brand.
This site doesn't call it either way. If you want to race wearing one, check the guide for the race you entered. What's clearly prohibited is earphones, mobile phones and cameras (see the race-day packing list).
Your result is recorded even without a watch
Race times are measured by a timing chip worn on the ankle. Results appear on the official results site, and the official Japan site says that searching by name shows your total time and split times.
So for the race-day record alone, you don't need a watch. A watch helps in everyday training, when you want to measure runs and stations separately.
Who is it for?
- It suits: runners who want to measure runs and stations separately in everyday training.
Race records are available from the timing-chip results. With a running watch, you can press the split button by hand and keep training records too.
HYROX gear is collected in the race-day packing list. For shoes, see 6 HYROX shoes; for training, training equipment you can set up at home; for running watches overall, the running watch article.
FAQ
How do the HYROX modes differ between the Balance 2 and Balance 3?
Only the Balance 3 has the training modes, "Training" and "Simulation." The Race and Fitness Test modes are in both models.
What should I look for in an Amazfit in the JPY 20,000 range?
Check the sport-mode list on the product page. The official Japan HYROX page also lists models in the JPY 20,000 range, such as the Bip Max (JPY 19,980). I confirmed the modes on the product pages only for the Balance 3 and Balance 2, so first check whether the list has a "HYROX" row.
Does the Helio Strap have a HYROX mode?
The product page had no explanation of a HYROX mode. The Helio Strap is a heart-rate band worn on the arm, and costs JPY 17,600 at regular price.
How much does the Amazfit Balance 3 weigh?
Without the strap, the Balance 3 weighs 62g in the stainless steel version and 55g in the titanium version.
