'It's about community and doing something positive for myself': New HYROX training facility opens in Northern Ireland following £50,000 investment
Husband-and-wife team launch performance-focused facility on Longstone Street, aiming to build a strong fitness community and support athletes of all levels
A new performance-focused training facility has opened in Lisburn following an investment of more than £50,000, bringing the city its first dedicated HYROX training centre.
Located on Longstone Street, HYROCKS HYBRID has been launched by husband-and-wife team Suzie and Nick Rocks, who identified a gap in the local market for structured hybrid strength and conditioning training.
The couple, who have collectively completed more than 25 HYROX events, say the new facility is designed to help people of all abilities train with purpose, whether they are preparing for competition or simply looking to improve their overall fitness.
Suzie Rocks, owner and coach, brings over 22 years of experience in education and began her own fitness journey in her early 30s.
“I started with half marathons and 10Ks with no strength training background,” she said.
“After having two babies back-to-back, I joined a gym feeling anxious and unsure if I belonged. Very quickly I realised it wasn’t about comparison; it was about community and doing something positive for myself.”
Her background in teaching naturally led her into coaching, with a focus on helping people build strength safely and grow in confidence.
“As a teacher, I understand that people learn and move differently. I became passionate about helping people move well and develop through structured training,” she added.
Discovering HYROX proved to be a turning point for both founders.
“When I completed my first race, I realised there were clear gaps in my fitness. It challenged me in a completely different way and pushed me to train with more structure and purpose,” Suzie explained. “We quickly saw there wasn’t a dedicated local space for this type of training, and we often had to travel to access suitable facilities.”
Nick Rocks, an experienced HYROX athlete with a background in competitive mountain biking, has competed in 18 events across the UK, Europe and the United States since 2024. His achievements include consecutive World Championship appearances in Nice and Chicago, with Stockholm marking his third.
“I thought I was well prepared coming from endurance sport, but HYROX demands real specificity,” he said. “That’s what made me respect it straight away.”
The couple say their new facility reflects a balance between structured group training and individual progression.
“HYROX is built around flow – managing effort and fatigue across different stations,” Nick explained. “We’ve designed the gym with that same mindset. Sessions are purposeful and progressive, helping people train with clarity and confidence.”
They also hope to foster a strong sense of community within the gym, supporting members at every stage of their fitness journey.
“Any form of exercise is positive, and if someone is making the effort to show up, that’s already a success,” Nick added. “There’s real value in being part of a team and being challenged by others.”
Suzie said the aim is to create an inclusive environment for everyone, from first-time gym-goers to competitive athletes.
“We understand the pressures of work, family life and the self-doubt that can come with starting something new,” she added. “HYROCKS HYBRID is about helping people build resilience, both physically and mentally, in a supportive and structured environment.”
The couple also hope the new facility will help grow interest in HYROX across Northern Ireland, offering a dedicated space where people can train effectively without needing to travel.