CENTR Competition Power Sled Review | HYROX Sled Prep

Reviewing the CENTR Sled and Preparing for the Push & Pull Events

HYROX is known for its brutal mix of endurance and strength-based challenges—and few elements of the race test both like the Sled Push and Sled Pull. These two stations are infamous for humbling even the strongest athletes. If you’re training for a HYROX event, having access to the right equipment makes a massive difference. That’s where the HYROX Sled by CENTR comes in.

In this article, I’ll dive into my review of the CENTR sled, talk about the push and pull demands of HYROX races, and share several alternative training methods to help build the kind of raw strength and grit needed to thrive on race day.

What Makes the Sled Events So Tough in HYROX?

Let’s start with the basics.

During a HYROX race, competitors face two sled-based challenges:

1. Sled Push: 50 meters total, broken into four 12.5-meter lanes.
2. Sled Pull: 50 meters total, again broken into four 12.5-meter lanes.

The weight of the sled varies depending on your race category:

• Men’s Pro: 202 kg push / 103 kg pull
• Women’s Pro: 152 kg push / 78 kg pull
• Open Men: 152 kg push / 103 kg pull
• Open Women: 102 kg push / 78 kg pull

What makes these events particularly brutal isn’t just the weight—it’s the cumulative fatigue after running multiple kilometers and completing previous strength stations. Tackling the sleds demands explosive lower-body drive, core stability, and serious grip strength.

Reviewing the HYROX Sled by CENTR

CENTR, the fitness brand founded by Chris Hemsworth, recently released a sled designed specifically to help HYROX athletes prepare for the unique demands of the competition.

Key Features

• Modular Design: The CENTR sled is compact and can be assembled and disassembled quickly. It’s built for both push and pull training, allowing for seamless transitions.
• Durable Construction: It’s crafted from heavy-gauge steel and powder-coated for durability. It can handle high loads without flexing or breaking down under pressure.
• Multi-Surface Use: Whether you’re pushing on turf, rubber, or grass, the sled performs well. Add a nylon base or sled skis if needed for smooth motion indoors.
• Plate Loading: It has enough capacity to simulate real HYROX weight loads with bumper or iron plates.
• Low and High Handles: With both upright poles and low push bars, the sled mimics the HYROX event almost perfectly.

User Experience

The CENTR sled really shines in its versatility and portability. Unlike some commercial gym sleds that require specialty turf or are awkward to move, this one fits in a garage gym setup with ease. I’ve used it on 15-yard strips of turf and also outdoors, and it’s incredibly smooth while still providing the grind HYROX sled training demands.

The sled pull feature is also well-executed. Using a battle rope or a heavy-duty strap, the anchor points are secure, allowing you to pull confidently without jerkiness or slipping.

Value for the Price

While not the cheapest sled on the market, the HYROX Sled by CENTR delivers on value. You’re not just buying a sled—you’re investing in a tool that precisely replicates two of the most difficult HYROX stations. If your goal is to improve race times and train smart, this is worth every penny.

How to Train for the Sled Push

The sled push is all about quad dominance, glute drive, and midline stability. When you’re gassed and staring down the sled lanes, the last thing you want is for your form to collapse.

Technique Tips

• Keep your chest low and arms extended.
• Drive through the balls of your feet and stay explosive.
• Short, choppy steps keep momentum better than long strides.

Strength Builders

Here are a few alternative or complementary exercises to help:

1. Heavy Sled Pushes (obviously)

If you have access to the CENTR sled or a gym sled, progressive overload is key. Work up to the race weights over time.

2. Front-Loaded Bulgarian Split Squats

These build single-leg strength and challenge core stability.

3. Trap Bar Deadlifts

Emphasize hip drive and leg strength in a safe, compound movement.

4. Hill Sprints or Sled Sprints

If you don’t have access to a sled, hill sprints provide a similar quad burn and power output.

How to Train for the Sled Pull

The sled pull might be less visually intimidating, but it’s deceptively hard—especially after you’ve already pushed the sled.

Technique Tips

• Use a hand-over-hand rope pull, staying low with feet braced.
• Engage your lats and posterior chain.
• Don’t rush—controlled pulls are more efficient.

Strength Builders

1. Rope Pulls or Battle Rope Pull-Throughs

Anchor a rope to a weighted sled or plate and practice hand-over-hand pulling.

2. Seated Cable Rows

Focus on a full range of motion and explosive pulls to mimic the sled movement.

3. Farmer’s Carries

Grip strength is a huge limiter in the sled pull. Build yours with heavy carries.

4. Reverse Sled Drags

Even if you don’t have a rope, dragging the sled backward builds similar posterior chain strength.

Combining the Push and Pull in Training

To simulate the fatigue of race day, you’ll want to occasionally combine both in a single workout. Here’s a great sled-focused finisher:

HYROX Sled Simulation Set

• 4x 12.5m Sled Push (race weight)
• Straight into 4x 12.5m Sled Pull
• Rest 2 minutes
• Repeat for 3 rounds

This format trains not just your muscles, but your mental toughness and race pacing. Try doing it after a run or functional circuit to replicate mid-race fatigue.

What If You Don’t Have a Sled?

If you’re training at home or at a commercial gym without a sled or turf, you can still prepare effectively.

Sled Push Alternatives

• Treadmill Pushes (manual mode or turned off)
• Wall Sits + Isometric Marches
• Banded Forward Walks (attach resistance bands to a belt and march against tension)

Sled Pull Alternatives

• TRX Rows with Slow Tempo
• Cable Rope Rows with Low Pulley
• Dead Hangs and Towel Pull-Ups (for grip endurance)

These alternatives won’t perfectly match race-day mechanics, but they’ll get you strong, stable, and confident heading into the event.

Other great alternative, while pricey is a very amazing sled product line from Torque Fitness. They have sleds with wheels like the new M3. Heck if you have the extra $ it would be worth getting both the Sled to train specifically for the HYROK and also the Tank M3 for days you want to go outdoors.

Final Thoughts

The HYROX sled events are where races are won—or lost. They reward athletes who have trained not just hard, but specifically for the demands of pushing and pulling hundreds of pounds under fatigue.

The CENTR Sled is one of the best tools available to recreate the HYROX experience outside the competition arena. Its build quality, versatility, and focus on HYROX-style function make it a smart choice for anyone serious about improving their times and developing race-day confidence.

When paired with smart programming—including heavy lifts, grip work, unilateral movements, and cardio under fatigue—you’ll be more than ready for the sled push and pull. You’ll dominate them.