Hybrid training: is this the secret to getting fitter and stronger?

Hybrid training combines cardio and resistance exercises within the same programme, either in a single session or across separate sessions during the week, says Matt Lee. Where people once picked a side between weights or cardio, the idea of the hybrid athlete has become mainstream as workouts increasingly demand both strength and endurance.

The term hybrid was popularised by Alex Viada and has been shaped by movements such as CrossFit and Hyrox, which mix running with weight- and power-based tasks. Those events have helped the culture boom online, and organisers say more than 1 million people entered a Hyrox race during the 2025/26 season, which culminates with the world championships in Stockholm this month.

Research shows hybrid training can improve strength, muscle mass, power, endurance, speed and agility, and participants report psychological gains such as better quality of life, reduced stress and greater self-esteem.

Sweden, Stockholm

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