Yohka Sports is making obstacles fun.
The Australian fitness racing brand has just named former rugby player and fitness and wellness industry veteran Todd Liubinskas its CEO.
The announcement comes as obstacle course racing preps for its debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics, after the International Olympic Committee approved its inclusion.
The racing brand has partnered with Red Bull and hosts several competitive events, including an intense Dynamic Pursuit Course, where participants compete in a game of tag while navigating a challenging obstacle course. Other events include a 100-meter short course, as well as 5K and 10K races.
Despite the intensity, Yohka is inclusive to fitness racers of all levels and offers training tips and resources to help participants prepare.
As fitness racing continues to gain ground, it has presented an opportunity for gym and fitness studios to partner and help train racers. Last year, F45 and Spartan Race deepened their existing partnership to offer a week of free training to Spartan and Deka racers at any F45 studio.
Another fitness race brand, Hyrox, is dominating the space with its worldwide competitive fitness races, which has seen attendance numbers grow 100% per year. The brand has also organically attracted everyone from Lance Armstrong, beloved Peloton instructors and well-known fitness influencers.
This spring, Hyrox will host its second annual outdoor race in New York City, F45 Hyrox New York, a 3-day event. The brand expects between 15,000 athletes to participate in the race.
Hyrox also offers a digital fitness content, training and education arm with Hyrox365. The concept has led to more than 5,000 affiliate gyms signing up as Hyrox Training Clubs, including F45.
“We believe the sport of Hyrox can be trained inside every fitness facility around the world in the same way you go to yoga or HIIT class,” Douglas Gremmen, Hyrox’s chief operations officer, tells Athletech News.
