GYM coaches Chris Cummins and Harry Morse are off to the United States after qualifying for the championships of the world's biggest indoor fitness competition.

Chris, owner and head coach of CrossFit Skipton, based in Embsay, and fellow coach, Harry, beat off hundreds of the country's fittest in a qualifying round held in Manchester to win their ticket to the HYROX competition in Las Vegas in May.

Chris and Harry spend six months training for the January Manchester heat of the championships which sees athletes from around the world competing in the same race on the same course.

Each event hosts up to 3,000 with contestants starting with a 1km run followed by a functional workout repeated eight times. Everyone who takes part wears a timing chip and receives an individual finishing time, with comparable results through global rankings across all events and in each age group.

Each season culminates with the world championships where the athletes with the fastest times from each division in each city go head-to-head.

Chris, 31, who launched CrossFit Skipton in 2014, said: “Although we had been training hard over the last six months, we were so excited to get the call that we had qualified for the world championships in Las Vegas. Hyrox is a great race and we had a great time in Manchester but to be in the running global champions is a serious testament to our training.

“We’ve always been competitive at heart and with my background in fitness coaching and obstacle course racing, we are eager to fly the flag for CrossFit Skipton and prove that our training can work for everyone."

Harry, 24, joined the gym in 2018, and is now a fitness coach and personal trainer with the club.

He said: "I love training to keep fit and healthy but I also love helping other people reach their fitness goals too. I hope that by competing in Hyrox we can show that anyone can achieve their goals with a training programme that’s suited to them. We’re so lucky to be in a part of Yorkshire that seems to love outdoor activities, fitness and pushing it to the limit."

“Many of our members compete in fitness competitions, running races, downhill races and events and our training programming helps prepare those members for their competitions as well as our preparing other members for an active and healthy lifestyle."

In addition to helping people improve their health and fitness, CrossFit Skipton supports local good causes, including the Principle Trust Children's Charity.

Chris and Harry are looking for sponsors to support them in their bid to become world champions. Email: chris@crossfitskipton.com