It’s been impossible to miss the word Hyrox in recent months. You hear it in the changing rooms, see it on Instagram, and find it on the schedules of the most cutting-edge clubs. At SEMPER wellness, Hyrox has found a home that suits it perfectly: an intimate space, small groups and precise coaching that transform this highly intense format into a burst of energy. Just a stone’s throw from the Champs-Élysées, SEMPER wellness is becoming the new hub for premium fitness in Paris.
An intimate club with a deliberately limited membership, personalised coaching, cardio and weight training areas, a Pilates Reformer studio, sauna and hammam: well-being and high standards, far removed from standardised gyms – we’re off to a very trendy class.
Hyrox, in a nutshell: a hybrid discipline designed for performance
Far from the cliché of a big show or a forced trend, it is through a controlled and intelligent approach to this discipline that the club is shaking up the conventions of traditional fitness. A class that certainly tires you out, but above all gives you the very satisfying feeling of doing something truly effective.
Originally, Hyrox began in Germany as an international competition combining running and functional exercises, designed to be accessible to both seasoned athletes and regular fitness enthusiasts. The concept is simple yet formidable: alternating between cardio phases and strength-building exercises, always in the same order, at a constant intensity.
No choreography, no frills, just effective movements: pushing, pulling, carrying, jumping, squatting, all whilst maintaining a steady pace.
At SEMPER wellness, the class takes this DNA but adapts it to a more intimate setting, far from the raw competitive atmosphere. The warm-up prepares the body methodically, the session is structured around well-calibrated cardio-functional sequences, and our coach Domi constantly adjusts to ensure everyone remains at a demanding yet sensible intensity.
We work on breathing, power, endurance and mental strength, without ever losing control of the movement.
Why it works (and why you get hooked)
What makes Hyrox so popular is that very contemporary sense of time optimisation. In a single session, you work your whole body, you really work up a sweat, and you leave feeling like you’ve ticked all the boxes. At SEMPER wellness, this efficiency is enhanced by the quality of the coaching and the small-group format, which avoids the ‘all for performance’ trap at the body’s expense.
The coach sets a clear pace, offers encouragement with a touch of humour, steps in when necessary, and creates a stimulating group dynamic without ever creating unnecessary pressure.
And then there’s the after-workout. Guided stretching, a cool-down, a high-five with the coach, followed by an almost instinctive visit to the sauna or steam room. You recover, you relax, you exchange a few knowing smiles. The effort is intense, but the experience remains fluid, pleasant, almost elegant.
This is undoubtedly why the SEMPER wellness version of Hyrox appeals to a generation that wants to push themselves without breaking down, and above all without losing the pleasure of coming to train.
It’s hard to say exactly what got the hardest workout: the legs, the lungs or the ego. The weights were heavy, the timer a bit unforgiving, but the atmosphere relaxed enough to make you forget the pain. On leaving, you clearly feel as though you’ve moved mountains, even if they were mostly inside your head.
That’s probably why we’re already booking the next session. It’s worth noting that every class is different and offers a varied programme alternating between cardio and strength training. It’s impossible to get bored, but there’s a strong chance of making progress and pushing yourself.
Club details:
Monday to Friday: 7am to 10pm
Saturday – Sunday: 9am to 6pm
25 rue de Ponthieu, Paris 75008
Champs Elysées area
Group class timetable
Translated by Bethszabee Garner
