If you know HYROX, you’re aware of Hunter McIntyre, the three-time world champion poised to make a run for a fourth title at the 2025 HYROX World Championships in Chicago, IL, on June 13-15.
McIntyre is known for being in great shape and setting records outside of the sport, but he feels he is in the best shape of his life going into this 2025 Worlds. McIntyre recently spoke with BarBend about his training, confidence in securing a fourth world title, and how CELSIUS is helping him prepare to compete.
Editor’s note: The following interview has been lightly edited for readability.
BarBend (BB): When do you take CELSIUS? How does it help you?
McIntyre: CELSIUS was introduced to me a couple of years ago. I like the Passionfruit and Grape flavors. My dad likes them, and I see them everywhere.
We do CELSIUS all day long nowadays. My team loves them, including my camera guy, who drinks them while driving to film.
BB: You’ve been competing at the HYROX Elite level for years. How has the sport evolved?
McIntyre: Many more people are running HYROX now. The sport has gotten a little easier in some aspects, such as the sleds. At the same time, when new sports start, there is a refinement period.
HYROX is so fast now, and we are all full-blown runners. I am 36 and running faster than I ever have in my career. If you are behind in running at all, you’re getting left behind.
BB: How has your training changed during that time?
McIntyre: Believe it or not, I started returning to my old ways. I used to run Murph, for which I set the world record, and switched to endurance training. However, it didn’t help me.
I knew the formula, changed it, and returned to the center lane. Thanks to that, fitness is through the roof.
BB: How do you recover between training sessions?
McIntyre: I believe that one of the biggest things is happiness. As ridiculous as it sounds, I go for happiness walks. When I go for a hike, jump in a lake, and then walk back up, I smile from ear to ear, realizing life is pretty good. I forget I have sore legs.
There are 10 out of 10 things like the hyperbaric chambers, the ice baths, saunas, I have every tool under the sun, and I have worked hard enough for 15 years to accrue these things.
I feel bad giving that advice to someone age 21 or 22 who may only be able to have a CELSIUS and a protein bar. Everyone can go on happiness walks, though.
BB: How confident are you about your prep for the 2025 World Championships?
McIntyre: The only challenge I faced was trying too many different things. After returning from my world tour in March, I went back to running mountains, lifting heavy weights, and doing lots of reps.
Now, I am a rocketship. I’m around five to seven percent body fat, and can put three or four plates on a bar for any movement and lift it. I plan on tearing everyone’s heads off. If there is anyone who beats me, it’s an honorable death.
BB: How much longer will you compete?
McIntyre: I might do HYROX for another year or two. I may cut back on the international tours to ensure I qualify for Worlds.
I want to qualify for the Olympics in paddling. By then, I would be 38 or 39, and the Olympics are in L.A. That would be a great swan song for my career.
I have won HYROX titles, Spartan Race titles, Tough Mudder titles, and competed at the CrossFit Games. To be an Olympian, I don’t think anyone could sit with me at a bar and say they were tougher than me after that.
BB: Do you intend to stay connected to fitness or HYROX in another way?
McIntyre: I will always keep this close to me somehow. When I first started, only one major fitness influencer was on YouTube. There were four HYROX events this past weekend, and 40,000 people could enter. This sport has grown so much, and I am just grateful to be able to keep on doing it. I would enjoy hosting my own event in the future.
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Featured image courtesy of CELSIUS
