Bjoern Schinke, coach of 2025 HYROX World Champion Linda Meier, has built a reputation for doing things differently. Known for his emphasis on movement efficiency, neuro-athletic training, and mindset, Schinke helped Linda win the world title while training fewer hours than almost anyone else in the Elite field.
Schinke has also worked with athletes like 2021 HYROX World Champion Tobias Lautwein, and prior to HYROX coached Germany’s men’s eight rowing team to Olympic silver.
In this conversation, he shares why chasing volume isn’t always the answer – and why joy might be the most underrated performance tool in racing.
From Rowing to HYROX Coaching
Bjoern’s sporting roots are in rowing, where he competed nationally before moving into coaching. His time with Germany’s men’s eight gave him a deep understanding of how small technical details – even millimetres of movement – can create big performance gains. That eye for precision now shapes his work with HYROX athletes.
Movement Efficiency and Neuro-Athletics
For Bjoern, efficient movement is the foundation of performance. He believes athletes should focus less on “more training” and more on “better training.” Neuro-athletic drills, which target the brain’s role in movement, are a key part of his approach. These help athletes activate underused systems, improve coordination, and ultimately save energy on race day.
“Just good movement can be a strong or a fast movement,” he explained. “When you move well, you can train harder, prevent injuries, and race more efficiently.”
Mindset, Pacing, and Patience
Beyond the physical, Bjoern places heavy emphasis on mindset. He encourages athletes to approach racing with calm confidence, to pace themselves effectively, and – crucially – to find joy in the process.
“When you lack fun in this sport, you definitely lack energy,” he said. For him, joy isn’t a side effect of success – it’s a performance driver in itself.
Training Smarter, Not Harder
Bjoern’s work with Linda Meier is a clear example of his philosophy in action. Despite training fewer hours than many of her rivals, she became World Champion by focusing on quality over quantity. Running efficiency, targeted strength work, and selective neuro-athletic drills allowed her to maximize limited time and energy.
“The way Linda improved her ground speed and efficiency showed that smart training can compete with high volume every time.” Bjoern reflected.
To check out the full interview, watch below or listen on the Rox Lyfe podcast…
