The winner of HYROX Tenerife in the Men’s PRO category, along with Kat Parrell and Manuela García (third in the women’s category), explains why the archipelago’s climate, natural surroundings and recovery opportunities make the islands an ideal setting to prepare for high-intensity competitions.
Created in Germany in 2017 as a discipline combining 8 kilometres of running with 8 high-intensity functional workout stations, HYROX has quickly established itself as one of the fastest-growing formats in international fitness. Designed to challenge professional athletes and amateur fitness enthusiasts alike through a balance of strength and endurance,HYROX arrived in the Canary Islands for the very first time with t a historic event in Tenerife.
Peak performance in this type of event requires far more than just hard training; t also demands smart recovery. Preparation isn't measured solely in hours logged at the gym; it encompasses climate, quality nutrition, mental rest, and reconnecting with the environment. Ahead of the event, three leading figures on the professional circuit, Jake Dearden, Kat Parrell, and Manuela García, analysed why the Canary Islands offer the ideal conditions to prepare for and tackle the season’s biggest challenges with a destination that can support athletes before, during, and after the race.
A Unique Training Combination
For those competing at HYROX’s elite level, reliable weather conditions provide a major advantage when planning their training programmes. The islands' year-rund climate allows athletes to maintain outdoor training routines all year round, even during the months when adverse weather makes preparation difficult across much of mainland Europe.
This climate advantage is further enhanced by the islands’ diverse terrain. On islands like Tenerife, athletes can easily combine altitude training sessions, steep climbs , and sea-level workouts all within the same area. This versatility is particularly appealing for those looking to vary training stimuli and tailor their preparation to specific sporting goals.
Training in the Canary Islands is fantastic because the weather is great year-round, allowing you to train outdoors. You’ve got the ocean, the mountains, and so much to do outside the gym.
However, physical conditioning is only one side of the coin; how well the body absorbs that effort depends directly on the quality of rest. After demanding sessions in the mountains or the gym, the archipelago offers countless ways to slow down, unwind, and enjoy the natural surroundings.
Active Recovery and Local Nutrition
Hikes through ancient laurel forests, water sports in the Atlantic, or simply a swim in the sea offer athletes alternative ways to disconnect and recover between heavy training sessions.
Being up in the mountains, surrounded by nature with no mobile coverage, gives you so much space. It allows your central nervous system to take a breath.
This mental recharge in nature goes hand-in-hand with nutrition as a crucial pillar of training. The abundance of fresh local produce and fruit allows athletes to seamlessly incorporate regional ingredients into their daily diets.
When it comes to nutrition, we try to rely on local produce, especially fruit. With the tropical fruit available here, it’s a top-tier destination for me.
From Training on the Islands to Competing in HYROX
The Canary Islands are more than just a training ground. The arrival of HYROX in Tenerife reinforces the archipelago’s capacity to host major international sporting events, completing the cycle: train, compete, and recover all in one destination.
It’s the first race of the season. I’ve had a great block of preparation, and this will be my first test to see where we stand. My goal is to test myself and go out there to win.
For Elite 15 category athletes, competing on the island also presents an opportunity to push their performance further in an inspiring atmosphere.
I’m really looking forward to it because the level of competition is very close to my own, which is a huge incentive to bring out the best in you. When things are that close, it always forces you to dig deep and give that extra 5%.
The experiences of these three athletes highlight one of the Canary Islands’ key strengths as a sports destination: the ability to integrate training, competition, and recovery into a single trip, all year round. Consistent weather, varied terrain, untouched nature, and high-profile international events like HYROX come together in a location where the sporting experience doesn't end when the workout is over.