TYR Wodapalooza Miami relocated this year from its original home at Bayfront Park to iconic South Beach in Miami.
- Fans and passers-by couldn’t miss the event venue as they drove down Ocean Drive, with stadiums and flags decked out in TYR Wodapalooza signage.
I qualified in the Rx Women’s Team Division this year and participated as a spectator throughout the weekend, cheering on athletes and shopping at Vendor Village.
To put my opinion on Front Street, I found the weekend to be a success overall. (Minus, of course, the less-than-ideal Miami weather on Thursday and Friday.)
Remind me: TYR Wodapalooza was held a little over a week ago in Miami, FL. It’s one of, if not the most popular competition each year for both community and elite athletes.
The event is typically held in January/February but will move to March in 2026.
[Related: Best Creatine Supplements]
Sandy Vibes Only
One of the best parts of the weekend was that the entire competition took place on the beach.
- Yes, that means there is sand still in my shoes and my suitcase, and…everywhere.
But really, if you’re traveling to Miami during the bleak winter, all that most people want is some time in the sun on the beach. The backdrop to the competition was epic, with the ocean waves and breezy air.
The competition stages were built exceedingly well.
- On one end of the venue was the Reign Total Body Fuel Sandbox, a complete sand pit and an A-frame rig. On the other was TYR Arena, a large competition floor with 20 lanes, multiple rigs, wall ball targets, and climbing ropes.
The Dymatize Lifting Stage was in the center of Vendor Village and gave fans a full view of the heavy lifting events.
- One pain point that stood out was spectating at the lifting stage, which didn’t include stadium-style seating and only had standing-room spots and a small riser on one side. More seating options on that stage or at least additional risers for fans would help.
The backdrop was phenomenal for all events, and the entire weekend was run like a well-oiled machine. I found the volunteers and judges to be extremely professional and easy to work with when going from warm-up to the corrals to the competition floor.
- The location was really one of the best parts of the weekend. The South Beach area is lively and full of restaurants.
When I wasn’t competing, I could leave the venue for a quick bite or run back to the place where I was staying. It seemed a bit more exciting than Bayfront Park and more “Miami.”
Space to Roam
While I don’t know the exact dimensions of the South Beach location, it felt much bigger, yet at the same time, it felt intimate and communal.
Fans and athletes entered the same area and walked straight into Vendor Village, which was well spread out and jam-packed with notable brands and food options.
- Vendor Village is always one of the highlights of TYR Wodapalooza. It’s a competition known to draw thousands of fans, and vendors flock to have a booth. There were many clothing brands, drinks, and food options, among others, surrounding the entire area.
[Related: Best Rowing Machines]
Another fun part of the competition is seeing elite athletes having fun and engaging with the community. Oftentimes, at the CrossFit Games, athletes are focused and stressed to the max, whereas in Miami, it’s also about having fun and being in the sun and good weather.
The athlete warm-up area was a bit of a congested spot but we all made it through. It’s always fun getting to warm up next to some of the elites and reminding yourself that you’re all in the same sport, performing (almost) the same workouts.
- I found the programming to be really well done, and just enough fitness each day. We often had an early event in the mid-morning and then a second one in the evening. I think giving athletes that big break in the middle was a good way to reset and no one can beat a workout under the lights.
- A highlight of the entire event for me was being able to lift under the lights and experience the competition from start to finish. It always felt like the energy was high and the spectators were really there for you even if they didn’t know you.
Each of the stadiums had a different vibe to them and there was an attention to detail when it came to the spectator experience.
- Overall the competition was a positive experience and a good move for TYR Wodapalooza as a whole. As is typical with a big change like a relocation, some things will ultimately be changed or altered, but for the most part, it was a well-run and successful event.
The Bottom Line
Just last year, Wodapalooza expanded its reach, adding the TYR Cup and a community competition at TYR Wodapalooza SoCal.
As a whole, the brand has undergone a big year, and it will be interesting to see how it continues expanding in 2025 and into 2026.
More CrossFit Stories
- Why Lindsey Marcelli and Her Family Created a Collection of Fitness Coloring Books for Kids
- 3 Key Takeaways From Dave Castro’s Week in Review
- 2025 CrossFit Open Registration Trending Down 40% Year-Over-Year
Featured image: Scott Freymond
