Why Tapering Matters Before HYROX
You’ve logged the miles, pushed the sleds, hammered through wall balls, and tested your limits in Simulation Days. Now, as HYROX Boston gets closer, it’s time for one of the most important (and often overlooked) parts of race prep: the taper.
Tapering isn’t about doing less for the sake of it. It’s a strategic reduction in training volume and intensity in the final days leading up to race day. Think of it as giving your body the chance to recharge so you can show up stronger, faster, and more focused when it matters most.
Why Tapering Is Important
1. Recovery for your muscles
Your body has taken on weeks of hard training. Tapering allows your muscles to heal and rebuild, leaving you with more strength and power on the start line.
2. Refilling your energy tank
Reducing training volume helps restore glycogen stores, so you’ve got the fuel you need to push through every SkiErg pull, sled push, and wall ball.
3. Mental sharpness
A taper isn’t just physical—it’s mental. Stepping back from the grind gives your mind space to reset, rebuild confidence, and lock in your race-day strategy.
4. Peak performance
When you taper right, you’ll feel lighter, fresher, and ready to hit the ground running (literally). It’s the difference between showing up tired and showing up primed.
How to Approach Your Taper
Every athlete’s taper will look a little different, but here are some general guidelines:
Cut back on volume. Reduce your total training load by 25% each week.
Keep the intensity. Maintain the speed and effort of your workouts, just shorten the duration.
Prioritize recovery. Focus on sleep, nutrition, hydration, and mobility.
Trust your training. The hard work is already done—now’s the time to let your body adapt.
Hear It From Coach Brian 🎥
Coach Brian breaks down tapering in our latest video—what it means, why it matters, and how to get it right before HYROX Boston.