Linda Meier didn’t arrive in Chicago expecting to win. She arrived hoping for a podium. A few hours later, she left as the 2025 HYROX World Champion.
In this episode of the Rox Lyfe podcast, the experienced German HYROX athlete Linda breaks down one of the most surprising and impressive performances we’ve seen at the HYROX World Championships. A two-minute personal best. A controlled race from start to finish. And all of it achieved while working full-time, and training fewer hours than most of the elite field.
The Training Shift That Changed Everything
After injury and illness earlier in the 24/25 season, Linda rebuilt her training almost from scratch. The focus was not more intensity or more HYROX-specific workouts. It was basics.
Roughly 80 percent of her training was foundational work:
- Zone 2 running and long aerobic sessions
- Stability and basic strength
- Technique work across every station
Only around 20 percent was threshold or VO2 max work, carefully placed so she could recover fully and stay consistent week to week.
That balance allowed her to absorb the hard sessions and feel strong late into races.
Racing Without Expectation – But With Intent
Linda’s approach to the 2025 World Championship Elite 15 race was calm and pragmatic. She didn’t go in chasing a win. Her goal was to stay in touch with the front group early, particularly Lauren Weeks and Joanna Wietrzyk, and trust her strength in the second half of the race.
That mindset mattered. Rather than overreacting when she found herself leading, she stayed focused on pace, execution, and process. Her rule was simple – race yourself, not the field. That discipline carried her through the final runs and into the wall balls, where races are often decided.
Why Technique Matters More Than People Think
A big theme of the conversation we had with Linda is efficiency. She said she spent significant time improving how she moved, not just how hard she could push.
That included:
- Running mechanics to stay relaxed and recover faster between stations
- SkiErg and row technique to reduce wasted energy
- Reworking her burpee broad jump approach to move faster with less fatigue
She’s open about the fact that these changes weren’t exciting – but they paid off!
Low Volume, Full-Time Job, Elite Results
Linda works full-time as an IT consultant and averages around 8 to 9 hours of training per week. Her sessions are rarely longer than 90 minutes. This is a significantly shorter amount of time that many other athletes in the Elite field
She’s clear on why. Longer sessions take too much out of her and compromise recovery. With her schedule, consistency matters more than volume.
Her belief is one many athletes will find uncomfortable – most people train too hard, too often, and neglect the basics that actually drive performance.
Recovery, Racing Formats, and Staying Durable
Racing three times in one weekend (in the singles, doubles and relay) took careful management. Linda says she leaned on simple recovery tools:
- Compression boots used immediately post-race
- Light cycling to flush the legs
- Dialled-in nutrition and electrolytes
She also shared honest thoughts on race formats. She loves doubles, tolerates relays, and accepts that seven minutes of all-out suffering is part of the sport.
What Motivates a World Champion Now?
Winning hasn’t changed her relationship with HYROX. She still sees clear areas to improve and is already thinking about how to go sub-60 again.
Her motivation comes from progress, not titles. HYROX remains the sport where she feels she fits best – not strong enough to be a pure strength athlete, not fast enough to be a pure runner, but capable of excelling in the middle ground.
A Message Many Athletes Need to Hear
Linda’s biggest contrarian view is simple. Train less. Train smarter. Respect recovery. Spend time on technique. Build a base before chasing intensity. Chicago showed what’s possible when those principles are applied properly.
To check out the full interview, watch below or listen on the Rox Lyfe podcast.
