# HYROX adaptive divisions explained: categories, adapted stations and how to enter

HYROX runs adaptive divisions for athletes with permanent impairments. The race keeps the same eight runs (or pushes) and eight stations, but loads, distances and some movements are adjusted for each division. The 26/27 adaptive rulebook lists 13 divisions, from seated categories to vision impairment. This guide covers what each category means, how stations and running are typically adapted, what eligibility looks like, guide runners, how to enter, and how to train and find your people.

- **13** adaptive divisions in the 26/27 rulebook
- **8** runs or pushes and 8 stations, same order
- **Top 3** per division invited to Worlds

> **Note:**
> Everything below comes from the HYROX adaptive rulebooks for 25/26 and 26/27, plus third-party coverage. Loads and distances have changed between seasons, and the rulebook says classification is still an ongoing project. Before you book, read the current adaptive rulebook (linked from [hyrox.com](https://hyrox.com/)) and contact your event.

## What is adaptive racing at HYROX?

Adaptive racing lets athletes with a permanent impairment race HYROX in a division built around how that impairment affects the race's movements. You still start in a wave, wear a timing chip, follow the station order and get an official result and ranking in your division.

The 26/27 rulebook describes its language as athlete-first: you're an adaptive athlete first, and your diagnosis comes second. It has also moved toward **functional classification**. That means your division depends on what your body can do on the sleds, the run and the wall balls, not just on a medical label. Two people with the same diagnosis can end up in different divisions.

## What are the HYROX adaptive categories?

The 26/27 rulebook lists 13 divisions in nine groups:

| Division | Who it's for (summarized) |
|---|---|
| Lower Limb Major | Severe lower-limb impairment, e.g. above-knee amputation or severe joint fusion |
| Lower Limb Minor | Moderate lower-limb impairment, e.g. below-knee amputation or muscle weakness |
| Upper Limb Major | Severe upper-limb impairment, e.g. above-elbow amputation; may use straps or hooks |
| Upper Limb Minor | Partial upper-limb impairment, e.g. below-elbow amputation or reduced grip; no straps |
| Short Stature | Reduced standing height from a condition such as skeletal dysplasia |
| Vision Impairment | Permanent impairment of the eye or visual pathways; guide runner allowed |
| D/deaf or Hard of Hearing | Permanent hearing loss |
| Neurological Minor | Mild impairment, usually one limb, e.g. mild cerebral palsy |
| Neurological Moderate | E.g. hemiplegia, moderate stroke or MS with clear functional impact |
| Neurological Major | Severe impairment of two or more limbs, e.g. paraplegia |
| Seated with Hip Function | Can't stand or walk but can engage the hips |
| Seated without Hip Function | Wheelchair user without hip function, may have core function |
| Seated without Core Function | Wheelchair user without hip or core function |

The rulebook also gives each division a **functional points score** from 1.0 (Seated without Core Function) to 5.0 (D/deaf or Hard of Hearing). The scores reflect how much the impairment affects HYROX performance. They also set up **Adaptive Doubles**, which the rulebook says will arrive mid-season with a combined cap of 7.0 points per pair. Timing and availability aren't confirmed yet, so ask your event.

> **Watch out:**
> If your impairment doesn't clearly fit one of these divisions, the rulebook asks you to contact HYROX directly. Don't guess and hope it gets sorted on race day.

## How are the stations adapted?

All eight stations stay in the usual order, but each division has its own loads, distances or rep counts. Some divisions also get a different movement. Here's what the 26/27 rulebook confirms, at a high level:

- **SkiErg and row:** Shorter distances for some divisions. Seated athletes use a rower that's separated so they can work from their chair, and can ask for weights to stop the chair moving.
- **Sled push:** Seated athletes strap the sled to their wheelchair and drag it. You bring your own straps and tell staff at registration and before your start.
- **Sled pull:** Lower-limb athletes can pull while seated. Several divisions pull lighter sleds or fewer lengths.
- **Burpee broad jumps:** Athletes on crutches, or who can't jump, do in-place burpees or walkouts followed by crutch swings or steps, over 80 m or 40 m depending on division. Seated athletes do chair dips combined with wheelchair pushes.
- **Farmers carry:** Seated athletes carry one kettlebell on their lap, with a lap mat provided, and push with the other hand. Athletes using a crutch or with one affected arm can carry a single kettlebell.
- **Sandbag lunges:** Seated athletes do a side-to-lap sandbag lift alternated with wheelchair pushes over 50 m. Some other divisions lunge a shorter distance with a lighter bag.
- **Wall balls:** Seated athletes start each rep with the ball on their lap and throw to a lower target. Lower-limb and Neurological Major athletes get a plyo box for squat stability. Upper-limb and vision-impaired athletes can throw to the standard target or do squats holding the ball instead.

The exact numbers for each division are in the rulebook tables. They changed between 25/26 and 26/27 (some sled loads, for example), so don't train to numbers from an old PDF or a blog post.

## How does the running work?

Most divisions cover the full distance of about 1 km per segment, 8 km in all, running or pushing. The exceptions in the 26/27 rulebook:

- **Short Stature and Neurological Major:** 1 lap of the run course per segment.
- **Neurological Minor and Moderate:** 2 laps per segment.

The 25/26 rulebook put one lap at about 350 m and two laps at about 750 m, but lap length depends on the venue. If a venue has a single 1 km lap, HYROX says it will try to arrange the shorter distance, but that isn't always possible. Ask your event how the course will work for you.

Seated athletes push the full distance. The rulebook allows everyday wheelchairs and recommends sports chairs. Any athlete moving at 4:00 per km or faster has to use the inside fast lane.

## Eligibility and classification: what evidence do you need?

The divisions are for **permanent** impairments. Temporary injuries, such as recovering from knee or hip surgery, don't qualify. You must be officially classified into a division to be eligible.

What the rulebook doesn't spell out is a standard list of documents. Here's what we could confirm:

- A regional HYROX health-information release form (Australia) asks you to pick one impairment category, optionally describe it, and sign.
- HYROX terms and conditions (US) say the organizer may ask you to confirm your health status, for example with a doctor's note.
- Independent commentators have pointed out that eligibility documents aren't standardized across regions.

The safest approach is to have a recent letter from your doctor or specialist that describes your impairment and how it affects movement. Ask your regional HYROX team exactly what they want to see before you book.

> **Tip:**
> If you're racing with a temporary injury, you aren't adaptive. You can still ask HYROX about adjusted movements, but the rulebook says those results are marked "Out of Competition": you get a finish time but no ranking.

## Guide runners and support people

Any adaptive athlete can race with a guide runner, handler or support person for orientation and navigation. The rules:

- **You choose and bring them.** HYROX doesn't provide one, except where local law requires it.
- **They don't help with stations.** They can guide you around the course, but they can't do or assist with any of the work.
- **They aren't ranked.**
- **Vision-impaired athletes must use a tether.** It must be non-elastic and about an arm's length (around 50 cm).

Plan with your guide like a Doubles pair: agree on verbal cues for turns, the Roxzone, station entry and lap counting. Then practice them at race pace. Ask the event how your guide gets onto the race floor and whether they need a ticket or credential.

## How do you enter an adaptive division?

1. **Read the current adaptive rulebook** (linked from [hyrox.com](https://hyrox.com/)) and find the division that matches your functional profile.
2. **Contact your regional HYROX team before booking** if you're unsure about your division, documents, equipment or course. Regional sites list their own support contacts.
3. **Register on the event page.** Choose the adaptive division and enter your details.
4. **Declare your equipment and adaptations.** List prostheses, straps, hooks, chair weights and the stations where you'll use them. The 25/26 rulebook asked for this at least four weeks before race day, by email or at registration.
5. **Confirm race-day logistics.** Check your guide's access, equipment storage and the course layout.

> **Key takeaway:**
> Undeclared equipment that gives a big performance boost can lead to a time penalty or disqualification. The rulebook also gives no extra time for putting on or taking off straps and hooks, so rehearse your transitions.

Not every event will look the same, and ticket rules (no event transfers or division switches in 26/27) still apply. Read our [ticket and refund guide](/guides/hyrox-tickets-cost) before you pay.

## Training ideas for common adaptations

Work with a qualified coach, physiotherapist or adaptive sports specialist who knows your body. Use these ideas as conversation starters, not a program.

- **Seated athletes:** Build pushing endurance with interval pushes on a track or long corridor, and add a 1 km time trial every few weeks. Train pulling and carrying strength (rows, lat pulldowns, seated sled drags) and shoulder resilience. Practice the lap kettlebell carry and the sandbag lift-and-push pattern.
- **Lower-limb athletes:** Practice the crutch burpee pattern and seated sled pulls. Check how your prosthesis or socket handles sweat and repeated knee work. Bring your prosthetist into the plan early.
- **Upper-limb athletes:** If you're Upper Limb Major, test your straps or hooks on the SkiErg, rower, sled rope and kettlebells. Time how long it takes to attach and remove them, since that time counts.
- **Neurological divisions:** Pacing is everything. Practice laps at the distance you'll race, and train the stations when you're tired, because coordination is often the first thing to slip.
- **Vision impairment:** Train full simulations with your guide, including tethered running, station entry and wall ball squats.
- **Everyone:** Do at least one full race simulation with your exact equipment and transitions.

Our [rules and penalties guide](/guides/hyrox-rules-what-is-not-allowed) covers the general banned-items list, which adaptive athletes follow too.

## Finding an accessible gym

You need a sled lane, a SkiErg, a rower, kettlebells and wall balls, plus step-free access and room to move a chair. Questions to ask before you join:

- Is there step-free access to the training floor, changing rooms and toilets?
- Can I use the sled and turf when it's quiet, and is there room to turn a wheelchair?
- Does the gym have an adaptable rower or SkiErg setup, or room to bring my own adaptations?
- Have any coaches trained adaptive athletes before?

In the US, the NCHPAD directories list inclusive programs and trainers. In the UK, Activity Alliance publishes resources for disabled people using gyms. Gyms that host HYROX classes are a good place to start because they already have the equipment.

## Community and support

You won't be the only adaptive athlete on the floor. On Reddit's HYROX community, seated athletes, athletes with cerebral palsy, wheelchair users and others share race reports. They cover how the adapted stations felt, how judges handled their setup and what they'd change next time. Read a few before your first race; they're the closest thing to a course preview.

If you'd like local businesses behind your race, RoxSkin lets any athlete sell up to 15 logo spots on their race-day kit. See [how to get sponsored for HYROX](/guides/how-to-get-sponsored-hyrox).

## FAQ

### What are the HYROX adaptive divisions?

The 26/27 rulebook lists 13 divisions: Lower Limb Major and Minor, Upper Limb Major and Minor, Short Stature, Vision Impairment, D/deaf or Hard of Hearing, Neurological Major, Moderate and Minor, and three seated divisions (with hip function, without hip function, and without core function). Divisions are based on function, not just diagnosis.

### How are HYROX stations adapted for adaptive athletes?

The eight stations stay in order, but loads, distances and reps change by division, and some movements are replaced. For example, seated athletes drag the sled strapped to their chair, carry one kettlebell on their lap and throw wall balls from the lap. Check the current rulebook tables for your division's numbers.

### Do adaptive athletes run the full 8 km?

Most divisions do, running or pushing about 1 km per segment. In 26/27, Short Stature and Neurological Major athletes do 1 lap per segment, and Neurological Minor and Moderate athletes do 2 laps. Lap length varies by venue.

### What proof do I need to race an adaptive division?

The rulebook requires a permanent impairment and official classification but doesn't publish a standard document list. Regional forms and terms suggest you may be asked for a health declaration or a doctor's note. Contact your regional HYROX team before booking.

### Can I bring a guide runner to HYROX?

Yes. Adaptive athletes can race with a guide, handler or support person they appoint themselves. The guide can help with navigation but not with stations, and isn't ranked. Vision-impaired athletes must use a non-elastic tether of about 50 cm.

### Can I race adaptive HYROX with a temporary injury?

No. Adaptive divisions are for permanent impairments. If you're injured, you can ask HYROX about adjusted movements, but your result will be marked Out of Competition.

### Is there Adaptive Doubles at HYROX?

The 26/27 rulebook says Adaptive Doubles will be introduced mid-season, with a combined cap of 7.0 functional points per pair. Availability at specific events isn't confirmed, so ask your event before you plan around it.

## Next steps

Compare every format in [HYROX divisions explained](/guides/hyrox-divisions-explained), check the new season's rules in [HYROX rule changes for 2026/27](/guides/hyrox-rule-changes-2026-27), then pick an event on the [race calendar](/races) and contact the organizer before you book.

Source: https://roxskin.io/guides/hyrox-adaptive-divisions