BigRig is off to the World Championships!

Welshpool’s former professional boxer Warren ‘BigRig’ Sinden has qualified for the World Championships of one of the world’s toughest fitness sports.

Warren, who gave us some memorable nights in the boxing ring more than a decade ago, has become a formidable competitor in Hyrox, a multi-discipline fitness challenge that is taking the sporting world by storm.

Speaking to us this morning from Cologne Airport before boarding a flight home, Warren confirmed that his time of 1 hour and 48 seconds at the event in Germany at the weekend qualified him for June’s World Championships in Nice, France.

The Welshpool Boxing Club head coach said that he has been involved with Hyrox for three years, but has been pushing his training to new limits over the past year to be ready for competition.

“It’s not just happened over a short period,” he said. “I’ve been much more dedicated and determined with my own training for competitions over the past year and gone from 1hr 20min down to yesterday’s time.”

Warren has adapted his Welshpool gym – Rigorous - to be an ideal Hyrox training venue and said that it is growing in popularity amongst clients since he brought it to Welshpool.

“Hyrox is a new but very popular sport and anyone interested in entering a race or training for one no matter their level of ability, I’d be happy to help guide them,” said Warren.

“I’ve picked up a lot of experience in my own six races but also in training others like my sister Lynzee who would have been competing this weekend too if it wasn’t for injury. I couldn’t do what I’ve done this weekend without her as she’s with me every step of the way and really pushes me in training and competition.”

Warren said that competing internationally is promoting Welshpool and he is looking ahead to rubbing shoulders with the world’s best on June 7 in Nice, France.

“I just want to do my best at putting Welshpool on the map like I used to with boxing,” he said.

“Hyrox has given me back focus and reason that boxing used to and because of that I’m much healthier physically but also mentally I’m in such a better place.

“I would urge any retired sports person who’s maybe feeling a bit lost with coming away from sport to consider Hyrox. It’s helped me loads.

“Hyrox is for anyone. It's not all about world champions and world records. Anyone can do it.”

Warren said he will step up his training in the coming weeks for the World Championships which will involve heavier weights, so realistically a slower time expected.

So, what is Hyrox? ‘BigRig’ explains… 
“In terms of the race, it is 8x1km runs followed by a function fitness station. This is - 1km ski, 50m sled push 153kg, 50m sled pull 103kg, 80m burpee broad jump, 1km row, kettlebell Carry 200m 24kgsx2, walking lunges 20kg 100m, and finally wall balls x 100 6kg ball.”