Auf der Jagd nach Größe in einem der härtesten Wettbewerbe der Welt
A Conversation with HYROX World Champion Linda Meier
29. Januar 2026
As HYROX continues its rapid global rise, few athletes represent its grit and community better than 2025 World Champion Linda Meier. We had the pleasure of welcoming Linda to the PUMA HQ in Herzogenaurach to ask her a couple of our burning questions…
Lessons from a Champion: Building Momentum into 2026
Linda’s past season has been nothing short of incredible, but her success didn’t happen overnight.You’ve had an incredibly successful year as a HYROX Elite 15 athlete. What are some lessons you learned in 2025 that you would like to take into 2026?Linda: “I’ve learned that success takes time. My first HYROX race was in 2019, and every year since has been about improving my performance and overall athleticism. There were setbacks along the way – some injuries and tough moments – but I’m proud that I stayed consistent. HYROX is an incredible sport, and I’m motivated to keep working, keep learning, and keep getting better as I head into 2026.”
The Gear That Makes a Difference
Whether on the track, in the sled push lane, or during wall balls, having the right gear matters.As the 2025 HYROX World Champion, what are some key attributes you look for in gear when competing?Linda: “The most important part for HYROX are the shoes, because you need a very good running shoe which gives you energy to run fast. But it also needs to be stable. A shoe that has grip for the workouts. As for my clothing, the most important thing is that I feel comfortable in them!”
The First Shoe Built Specifically for HYROX
HYROX Melbourne marked the global debut of the Deviate NITRO™ Elite HYROX, worn by PUMA athletes including Jake Williamson, Joanna Wietrzyk, Hunter McIntyre, Jake Dearden – and of course, Linda Meier herself.Linda Meier pictured wearing the PUMA Deviate NITRO™ Elite HYROX shoes at the Melbourne HYROX race:
You wore the new PUMA Deviate NITRO™ Elite HYROX shoes at the Melbourne race. With the shoes set to launch on February 19th, you were among the very first to put them to the test! Did you notice any differences compared to regular running shoes?Linda: “Yes, the most important thing I realized is that it’s a really fast shoe, which I really like! And when it comes to the workouts, it is also a very stable shoe. Especially at the wall balls, I felt very comfortable – I didn’t have any breaks like I would have with a slippery shoe. I will continue to work with the shoe in the next competitions!”
Designed for speed and stability, the new HYROX shoe was developed using PUMA’s most advanced performance technologies:
Full-coverage PUMAGRIP outsole with a new lug pattern for multi-surface traction
NITROFOAM™ Elite, tuned for maximum energy return
Full-length carbon fiber PWRPLATE for propulsion and stability
Feather-light ULTRAWEAVE upper for lockdown and breathability
To be Great, You Must Learn from the Best
When it comes to chasing greatness, you learn from the great. We couldn’t let Linda leave our headquarters without asking her four top tips when training for HYROX:Don’t overpace.
Aim to keep a consistent pace across all eight runs. A great way to practice this is by running 8 × 1000m in training.
Adjust the damper setting.
On both the ski and row machines, choose a damper level that allows you to comfortably complete 1000m without burning out.
Don’t treat the Roxzone as a rest area.
It’s still part of the race – keep moving efficiently so you don’t lose valuable time.
And most importantly: have fun!
HYROX is all about the community. The best part is the energy, support, and camaraderie shared by everyone on the floor.
Aim to keep a consistent pace across all eight runs. A great way to practice this is by running 8 × 1000m in training.
Adjust the damper setting.
On both the ski and row machines, choose a damper level that allows you to comfortably complete 1000m without burning out.
Don’t treat the Roxzone as a rest area.
It’s still part of the race – keep moving efficiently so you don’t lose valuable time.
And most importantly: have fun!
HYROX is all about the community. The best part is the energy, support, and camaraderie shared by everyone on the floor.
What’s Next for a World Champion?
What’s Next for a World Champion? Linda’s journey is a story of persistence, passion, and the drive to continuously improve-qualities that define the HYROX community and inspire athletes worldwide. With the 2026 season on the horizon and the right performance gear at her side, we can’t wait to see what she conquers next.
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