Hyrox: Iivo Niskanen Competes in an Entirely New Sport

As Finland's premier newspaper, Helsingin Sanomat, we often celebrate the achievements of our national heroes in their traditional domains. Iivo Niskanen, a triple Olympic champion in cross-country skiing, is a household name synonymous with endurance, grit, and Finnish sporting excellence. However, our readers will be intrigued to learn that Niskanen is venturing into uncharted territory, taking on the burgeoning global fitness phenomenon known as Hyrox. This move signifies not just a personal challenge for Niskanen but also a reflection of the growing interest in functional fitness across Finland and the world.

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It depends on the pair, who is stronger. We'll see then, who has to be more serious.

Niskanen, alongside fellow Finn and CrossFit notable Jonne Koski, will compete in the Hyrox Helsinki pro-division team race on May 9th. This event holds particular significance as it's the first time an international Hyrox competition is being hosted in Finland, bringing a new wave of athletic spectacle to the country. While Niskanen is accustomed to the demands of elite skiing, Hyrox presents a unique hybrid challenge: an 8-kilometer run interspersed with eight functional workout stations. For a traditional endurance athlete like Niskanen, the running segments may pose less of a threat, but the strength and conditioning exercises – including sled pushes, lunges, and burpee broad jumps – will undoubtedly test his capabilities in ways his skiing career has not.

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I haven't tried the sport before. I did one training session with Jonne. For me, the only familiar movements are the rowing machine and the ski ergometer.

Niskanen himself acknowledges the novelty of the challenge, admitting that his training has historically focused minimally on strength work, comprising less than five percent of his total training volume. He notes that exercises requiring deep range of motion, like squats, are particularly unfamiliar. Yet, he expresses a surprising enthusiasm for Hyrox, distinguishing it from more superficial fitness trends. "If another trend is, for example, padel, then Hyrox is definitely in the right direction," Niskanen stated, highlighting its comprehensive nature. This endorsement from a respected athlete like Niskanen lends significant credibility to Hyrox within Finland. Helsingin Sanomat is keen to follow this new chapter for one of our sporting icons, showcasing how Finnish athletes continue to push boundaries and adapt to new athletic frontiers.

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Probably the worst are the squats and those done from deep angles. I haven't done those. You need to have some mobility for those.