Hyrox Founders Have Invested in Fitness Series Xenom
The fitness competition series seeks to standardize testing of strength, gymnastics, and aerobic capacity globally.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Body Building
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Hyrox founders Christian Toetzke and Moritz Fürste have invested in the fitness competition series Xenom and joined its board of directors. The strategic partnership, supported by a US$15m seed round, aims to scale international fitness events starting in 2027.
Why it matters
This partnership seeks to grow fitness as a formalized sport by combining resources for marketing, education, and event activation. It creates a new, standardized framework for athletes to measure total physical performance.
Xenom utilizes a series of 10 standardized events designed to assess performance across strength, gymnastics, and aerobic capacity. The proprietary Elite Performance Index is used to track athlete results, though long-term data on event consistency remains under development.
The players
Christian Toetzke
Founder of the fitness racing series Hyrox who now serves on the Xenom board.
Moritz Fürste
Founder of Hyrox and former professional athlete who joined the Xenom board.
Keith Barlow
Chief Executive Officer of the fitness competition series Xenom.
The details
The Xenom competition format challenges participants through 10 specific, standardized tests that evaluate functional fitness components. Athletes are categorized into Elite, RX, Intermediate, and Foundations divisions to accommodate varying skill levels. The partnership with Hyrox allows these organizations to coordinate global event activations while utilizing a unified approach to athlete education and testing.
Timeline
Toetzke and Fürste began working with Keith Barlow in 2020.
Inaugural competitions were held in Dallas and London in 2026.
A competition is scheduled in Miami in December 2026.
The first full international season begins in 2027.
A competition is scheduled in Malaga in 2027.
Health Landscape
This development reflects the broader trend of professionalizing functional fitness as a measurable sport. It formalizes a standardized test for athletic capacity that mirrors the growth of other endurance-based racing series.
For athletes interested in tracking their own physical progression, the standardization of these events provides a potential benchmark for strength and endurance. If you are considering participation in a competitive fitness event, discuss your current conditioning and readiness with a coach or doctor.
The takeaway
The formalization of fitness competitions offers a structured way to evaluate total body performance through standardized testing. Athletes looking to improve their aerobic or strength capacity can use these established event categories to set clear, objective training goals.
Further reading
Learn more about the evolution of physical training in our Body Building section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Leisureopportunities.
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