Building an Engine for Success: How Kathryn Parnell Uses Wattbike to Train for HYROX and Marathons

From the football pitch to the HYROX arena, endurance athlete Kathryn Parnell has always thrived on pushing her limits. A semi-professional footballer turned hybrid athlete, now channelling her competitive edge into HYROX races and marathons. With her Wattbike playing a central role in building the powerhouse engine that drives her performance.

“I’ve always loved endurance sport,” she says. “I played football semi-professionally for Ipswich Town and Colchester United growing up, but after rupturing my ACL in 2022, I had to rethink my training.”

During her recovery, she discovered HYROX through her friend and well-known athlete Jade Skillen. The combination of endurance and strength immediately appealed to her competitive nature, and she began racing in November 2024.

Alongside HYROX, she continues to excel in running, having won the Woodbridge 10k three years in a row with a PB of 37:27 and completing the 2024 London Marathon in 3:02:18.

Wattbike: Her Foundation For Endurance

Her relationship with Wattbike goes back much further than HYROX, though.

“I bought my first Wattbike in 2017 and it’s honestly been one of my best investments,” she says. “I even trained solely on the Wattbike for the 2018 London Marathon because I wanted to prove to clients that you don’t need to run to be a runner.”

Now, she uses her Wattbike primarily for aerobic conditioning and zone two training, spending around eight hours a week building the cardiovascular base that supports her hybrid performance.

Staying Consistent Through Winter

As the days get shorter and the weather turns, her winter training moves indoors and the Wattbike becomes her most reliable training partner.

“In the winter, I’ll spend more time on the bike because of the darker nights and cold weather. I’ll put on a podcast, catch up on emails, or just enjoy zoning out while getting a good spin in. I love how effective it is for both my quads and hamstrings, I can put my cling cleets on and make sure I’ve got perfect muscular balance.”

A typical winter week for her includes three runs, two strength sessions, and two HYROX-specific workouts, but the Wattbike features every morning.

“I use it for about an hour each day to get the body moving and keep my aerobic base strong. The bike is my power engine - I love it.”

Training Smart Indoors

For her, Wattbike isn’t just about convenience, it’s a data-driven training tool.

“It’s easy to just jump on and go. It’s in my outbuilding, so I can use it anytime for power tests, FTP tests, or steady zone two rides. I love all the stats and programs on the Hub App, it let's me adapt to how I’m feeling or what my training requires of me.”

HYROX demands a blend of endurance and strength, and the Wattbike plays a crucial role in balancing both.

“I use the Wattbike mostly for long intervals and recovery rides, my harder intervals are usually running-based to stay specific to HYROX, but the Wattbike keeps me consistent in zones 2–3. The perfect place to build endurance.”

Advice for Hybrid Athletes

Her advice for other HYROX or hybrid athletes is simple:

“The Wattbike is my go-to for heart rate zone training and building a solid aerobic foundation. You can’t go far wrong with it, aerobic work is where you need to start for HYROX.”

After eight years with her current Wattbike, it’s safe to say it’s become more than just a piece of equipment, it's a staple in her training.

“It’s probably time for a new one, but I’m so attached to this one. It’s like my child.”

For Kathryn Parnell the Wattbike isn’t just an indoor bike, it’s the cornerstone of her endurance training. Whether she’s chasing marathon PBs or pushing through the grind of HYROX prep, the Wattbike keeps her consistent, motivated, and performing at her best no matter the season.

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