Hidde Weersma is one of the fastest and most complete athletes in HYROX history. The Dutch strength & conditioning coach and former triathlete broke the HYROX Men’s Pro world record with a blistering 52:42, set at the 2026 EMEA Championships in London (Olympia London) on 20 March 2026. He became the first man in history to break the 53-minute barrier, smashing the previous mark by more than 30 seconds and claiming the 2026 HYROX EMEA title in the process.
At 192 cm tall with a background that blends elite endurance, gym strength, and high-level athletic coaching, Weersma has risen rapidly from age-group dominance to Elite 15 regular.
From age-group world champion to Elite 15 podium threat, here’s everything you need to know about Hidde Weersma…
From Triathlon and Track to HYROX Domination
Born in December 1997 in the Netherlands, Hidde grew up competing in athletics (sprinting, high jump, throwing), football, and eventually triathlon from age 16. He loved the mix of endurance and strength work: long summer triathlon blocks paired with heavy winter gym sessions focused on “the pump” in chest and shoulders. While he describes himself as a “decent but not elite” triathlete, that dual background proved perfect for HYROX.
He discovered the sport in 2022 and made an immediate impact. His first HYROX was Maastricht 2022, and by Las Vegas 2022 (only his second race ever) he won the Men’s Pro 16-24 age-group title and placed 6th overall. He defended the AG world title in Manchester 2023 and took overall AG gold again at Nice 2024 with a 59:12 – the fastest age-group performance of the entire championships. And then in 2025, he finished an impressive 7th in the world in the Elite 15 at the 2025 World Championships in Chicago.
Day Job: Strength & Conditioning Coach to Dutch Olympians
Off the HYROX floor, Weersma worked as a strength and conditioning coach at Papendal, the Netherlands’ premier Olympic training centre. He supported Paralympic cycling (strength focus), the talent pathway for speed skating (ages 16–19), and the Olympic beach volleyball programme (strength + conditioning). He previously interned with Feyenoord football club in performance analysis.
This real-world coaching experience gives him a unique edge. He understands the science of training, recovery, and the interference effect** (the topic of his popular guest article on Rox Lyfe). In a Rox Lyfe podcast episode (recorded ~10 months before his world record), he explained how he deliberately separates endurance and strength work where possible in the off-season, while still accepting some interference because “it’s a part of HYROX.” He also wrote a detailed Rox Lyfe piece on “training zones for endurance”.
Training Philosophy: High Volume, Smart Specificity & Easy Endurance
Weersma’s training is built on the lessons of his triathlon background and years of trial and error. Key pillars include:
– Running: ~70 km per week, with the vast majority at easy (Zone 2) pace. Only one session per week features harder intervals (e.g., 4×8–10 min or 2×20 min). He finishes many runs with short strides. HYROX-specific circuits mix faster running with slower stations (or vice versa) to build race-specific tolerance without constant race-pace efforts.
– Cycling volume: 6–8+ hours per week (peaking at 10–12 hours in winter), almost all easy. This builds aerobic base and leg resilience that transfers to sled work and lunges.
– Total weekly volume: 18–23 hours in heavy blocks (January–April), dropping to 13–14 hours in taper. More volume, less intensity was a key change after earlier over-reaching in late 2024.
– Specificity without burnout: He experiments with pacing in HYROX circuits (e.g., faster runs + slower stations one day, the opposite the next) to replicate race sensations. After a period of too many race-pace intervals that left him fatigued, he rebuilt with fun doubles races and gradual progression.
– Fueling: Carbs are king once sessions exceed 90 minutes (60–90 g/hour on long bikes). In races he carries a gel and sometimes uses mouth rinsing; for clients racing 80+ minutes he recommends intra-race fueling.
Mindset: From Hyper-Focus to Sustainable Passion
In the podcast, Hidde openly discussed a mental reset after the 2024 season. After strong age-group results he became hyper-focused on going Elite, which led to poor races, frustration, and a loss of enjoyment. He took a step back, went on holiday, trained for fun, and rebuilt slowly through doubles and open races before returning stronger and more confident in Barcelona.
When a race gets tough he recalls past suffering – brutal training sessions, late-night workouts, or that infamous unprepared 130 km hilly bike ride at age 15. “This is what you did it all for.” He emphasises consistency in training, sleep, and nutrition as the real 95 % of success; the extra 5 % comes from smart specificity and experimentation.
Notable Achievements (Selected)
– HYROX Men’s Pro World Record: 52:42 – London EMEA Championships 2026 (EMEA Champion)
– 3× Age-Group World Champion (16-24 / 25-29)
– Chicago 2025 Worlds: 7th Elite Men (56:09)
– Hamburg Major 2025/26: 3rd (54:26)
– Barcelona LCQ 2024/25: 2nd (56:33) → Elite 15 qualification
– Multiple Elite Doubles podiums with partner Thierry Willigenburg
– Captain of the Dutch Elite Relay team at Worlds
Hidde Weersma’s story is still being written. From a fun-loving triathlete who once turned up to a 130 km hilly ride on two training rides and a mountain bike, to the first man under 53 minutes in HYROX history – his journey shows what smart programming, relentless consistency, and a love for the process can achieve.
To listen to our most recent interview with Hidde, watch below or listen on the Rox Lyfe podcast…
