Crossfit is dead, long live Hyrox. The other day, a colleague asked me what the hell that was, and I had a hard time answering him in a simple way. To keep it straightforward, Hyrox is basically a mix of running and seasonal exercises. You run a mile, move on to a station (sled pushing, burpees, rowing, weighted lunges), run another mile, and proceed to another station for a total of eight. This format has exploded in popularity, drawing together thousands of participants in competitions.
Such is the Hyrox boom that Amazfit, a leading smartwatch manufacturer, has launched two devices specially designed for athletic measurement in this discipline: the Amazfit Balance 3 and Balance Ultra.
Technical Sheet of the Amazfit Balance 3 and Amazfit Balance Ultra
Amazfit Balance 3 | Amazfit Balance Ultra | |
|---|---|---|
DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT | 47.5 × 47.5 × 12.5mm | 48.6 x 48.6 x 13.3mm |
MATERIAL | Grade five titanium | Stainless steel and grade five titanium |
SCREEN | 1.5 inches, AMOLED, 480×480 resolution, 3,000 nits brightness | 1.5 inches, AMOLED, 480×480 resolution, 3,000 nits brightness |
CONNECTIVITY | Dual band GPS, Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz WiFi | Dual band GPS, Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz WiFi |
SENSORS | BioTracker PPG, temperature, acceleration, gyroscopic, and barometric sensors | BioTracker PPG, temperature, acceleration, gyroscopic, and barometric sensors |
ENDURANCE | 10ATM (45 m diving) | 10ATM (45 m diving) |
BATTERY | 780mAh | 780mAh |
COMPATIBILITY | iOS and Android | iOS and Android |
PRICE | 349 euros (steel), 449 euros (titanium) | 599 euros (titanium) |
Born for Hyrox
The standout feature of the Amazfit Balance Ultra and Balance 3 is their dedicated design for Hyrox training. Equipped with a library of hybrid training plans, these watches aid users in preparing for competitions. They adjust strategies based on the track length and ROX Zone (the transition area between running and exercise stations).
Moreover, the watches provide precise analysis, allowing users to track their target, completed, and average pace through the app. A notable monitoring system, called Hybrid Charge, evaluates objective physical metrics alongside the user’s subjective feelings about their workout, offering a well-rounded view of recovery.
Specifications That Matter
Both models feature a 1.5-inch AMOLED display with sapphire glass, which enhances durability with a peak brightness of 3,000 nits—equal to an iPhone 17 Pro Max! The Balance Ultra boasts a battery life of up to 30 days with typical use, while the Balance 3 lasts up to 21 days.
One unique aspect these watches offer is a Dual band circular polarization GPS antenna, allowing for enhanced signal accuracy. In addition to various stored sports modes, they monitor blood oxygen levels, heart rate, sleep, and stress, all integrated with the Zepp Life app that syncs with platforms like Strava and Apple Health.
Versions and Pricing
The Amazfit Balance series stands as one of the company’s most advanced offerings, debuting in Spain with the following pricing:
- Amazfit Balance 3 in stainless steel case | 349 euros
- Amazfit Balance 3 in titanium frame | 449 euros
- Amazfit Balance Ultra in Titanium Case and Frame | 599 euros
Amazfit aims to carve a niche in the evolving market of Hyrox athletes, providing specialized features that have not yet been thoroughly explored.