The term "hybrid athlete" is trending on social media, with thousands of followers taking up the style of training and racing which involves many disciplines. While it's a healthy trend, experts say starting an intense training regime can be harmful, if not done correctly.
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00:00Karla Maganto-Parasotto was feeling uninspired with her regular exercise routine when she
00:08saw a concept on social media that sparked her interest.
00:11I kept seeing all these HIROX challenges and I've gone, you know what, why don't I try
00:15to do it?
00:16Why don't I try and motivate myself and do something different?
00:19HIROX is a fitness race that combines running with functional exercises.
00:23It's one of the fastest growing fitness sports in the world, with races in more than 11 countries
00:28and 30 cities.
00:31Since Karla began competing more than a year ago, she's seen its popularity explode.
00:36It just went crazy, just knew everyone doing it.
00:39And then Melbourne as well and now it's just the new thing.
00:42HIROX is part of a social media movement known as hybrid training.
00:46A hybrid athlete generally refers to someone who trains across multiple disciplines like
00:51endurance and strength.
00:52While it's not a new concept for athletes, fitness influencers are promoting the style
00:57and its intense training schedules and thousands of followers are trying it for themselves.
01:02Seeing muscle bound guys with their shirt off running marathon distances is intriguing,
01:08is interesting, is extraordinary and all these things feed engagement on social media.
01:13Generally hybrid training is a positive movement, but experts say jumping in to follow an unrealistic
01:19routine can be harmful if not done correctly.
01:22Do so slowly and progressively, make sure you're feeling appropriately and just making
01:27small changes to your training and making sure there's enough recovery in there.
01:30But when done right, it can create a positive community.
01:34I think it's really good to motivate people to get out there and do stuff.
01:37As long as they get out there and do things gradually and gradually expose themselves
01:39to these big strength loads or big endurance loads.
01:42There was different fitness components, different ages, different body types.
01:47I saw that there was a very big community in it, everyone pushing each other.
01:51A healthy trend that may outlast the New Year's resolutions.