At The Yard, we believe in training for something bigger. For Coach Gunther, that “something” is HYROX—the global fitness competition that blends endurance and strength in a race unlike any other. We sat down with Gunther to talk about her international HYROX experience, why she brought the sport to The Yard, and what keeps her coming back to the start line.
What got you interested in HYROX?
Two years ago, I was going through a tough time and started running to prove to myself that I could do hard things. A few months in, I discovered HYROX on social media. It was the perfect mix of strength and endurance, and I’ve always loved lifting and feeling strong. I was originally planning to race in Anaheim and take a separate trip to the Nordics, when I noticed a HYROX race in Copenhagen. So I figured—why not combine the two and take on my first race internationally?
How did your first HYROX comp go?
It was so much fun! There’s nothing like the energy in the room your first time. I didn’t go in with a goal time; I just wanted to finish. That mindset really let me soak it all in. I connected with people from all over the world on the course and at the water stations—we were all in it together.
What made you want to become a HYROX trainer?
That first comp in Copenhagen was so memorable, and I knew I wanted to bring that same energy back home to Mill Valley. HYROX training builds both confidence and community, and I love helping people realize what they’re capable of. I’ve introduced the format to friends, family, and first-timers who never thought they’d do something like this—watching them gain strength and pride through the process has been the best part.
How did your NYC and Sydney comps go?
Great, and very different! The NYC venue was outdoors on the pier, which was super cool. I ran a solo race Friday and a relay with friends Sunday. I trained more seriously for my solo race and cut 9 minutes off my previous time, though there’s still room to grow! The relay was chaotic in the best way—lights, noise, late night energy. Sydney was special because I did my first mixed doubles with my older brother. The men’s weight was no joke, but my strength training at The Yard carried me through.
Any funny or memorable stories along the way?
Definitely. One of the funniest was during our NYC relay. In a HYROX relay, three teammates stay in the relay zone while the fourth competes, so we didn’t see each other perform. When we reviewed the footage later that night, we saw one of my friends doing 80 meters of burpee broad jumps—her first time trying them was 30 minutes before the race!
More meaningfully, my parents came to support me in Copenhagen and NYC. They used to cheer me on at basketball and softball games, but it’s rare as an adult to have your parents see you chase something new. That meant a lot to me.
Join the Movement
Want to try HYROX-style training for yourself? You can now join Coach Gunther for HYROX HIIT classes every Tuesday and Thursday at 6 PM at The Yard Mill Valley. These workouts are designed to mimic real HYROX events and will help you build the grit, endurance, and strength needed for race day.
And don’t miss our Summer Social on August 16, where we’ll host a mini HYROX community competition open to members, trainers, and clients from all locations. It’s your chance to test your training in a fun, supportive environment.
You can also join our monthly PFT (Physical Fitness Test) Saturdays, a great way to benchmark your strength and cardio progress.
Whether you’re gearing up for your first race or just looking to push your limits in a new way, HYROX at The Yard is your gateway to a whole new level of training.
See you at the starting line.
