World Fitness Project Makes Their Debut

A new fitness event is here, and the World Fitness Project is the real deal. With the motto “For athletes, by athletes,” the inaugural season of the World Fitness Project (WFP) officially kicked off in Indianapolis, Indiana, May 9-11. The Concept2® team was on site in Indy, showcasing all our Ergs including our latest model, the StrengthErg™. With every first push and pull, spectators and athletes alike were surprised by the amount of resistance the StrengthErg created. We are excited to be partnering with WFP as the official ergometer machine provider for their first season. The second event of the season is taking place in Mesa, Arizona, in August, with the Finals happening in Copenhagen, Denmark, in December. We cannot wait to see how the rest of the season progresses! 

WFP is self-described as “an organization where people come first.” It was inspiring to see individuals of diverse abilities striving to reach their full potential, all sharing the same competitive space. Over the three days of competition, Pros, Challengers, and Competitors pushed themselves to their limits in six workouts, wanting to see just who had what it took to be the best. 

The Pro Division is made up of 30 athletes in total. 20 of which are “signed” competitors, while the remaining 10 are “Pro challengers” vying for one of the top 20 spots at the end of the season. At each WFP tour stop, athletes earn points based on their finishes after each workout. The top 20 point-earners at the season’s end will receive a Pro Card for the 2026 season, a cash prize, as well as guaranteeing a salary and a spot at all live events the following season. 

The Challenger Division is made up of another 20 athletes selected from the online qualifier selection process. These athletes are vying to compete in the Pro Division and have a separate leaderboard from the Pros. After the first two tour events, the Challenger’s season-long total points will be tallied. The 10 Challengers with the most points will be invited to compete against the 20 signed Pros in Copenhagen, where the champions will be crowned. 

The elites were not the only ones enjoying the festivities in Indy. Teams from the Competitor class also rallied, eager to show what they had been training so hard for. Teams of two and four threw down in teenage to master divisions, as well as in scaled, intermediate and elite classes. This was a great way for spectators to take part in the competition, along with pre and post event sponsored group runs and workouts. The feeling of community was palpable, and Concept2 was proud to be a part of it. 

The energy and anticipation built all weekend long, fueled by dramatic event lighting, billowing smoke, and personalized athlete walk-outs that captivated the crowd. The Pro leaderboard was in constant flux, with no clear front runner.  Meanwhile, the Challenger division delivered huge performances, as competitors clawed and fought to keep pace with the Pros. The sixth and final event was sponsored by Concept2 and featured the RowErg®, into burpees over block, dumbbell thrusters, and then finishing with double dumbbell overhead walking lunges. The athletes displayed true grit, perseverance, and strength, putting on a riveting performance. Pacing again played a huge role, as the grueling double dumbbell overhead walking lunges left every athlete tumbling to the ground once they passed the finish line. It was extremely exciting to watch the last event with close finishes and ultimately solidifying many athletes' standings after the first WFP stop. 

At the end of the first WFP stop in Indy, Austin Hatfield finished 1st for Pros, James Sprague was 2nd, and Jayson Hopper was 3rd, with less than 50 points separating them. For women Pros, Alex Gazan took the top spot, Danielle Brandon finished 2nd, and Aimee Cringle landed in 3rd, with less than 65 points separating them. It is notable to highlight that the top 30 Pro finishers all walked away with prize money, with equal amounts for men and women. 1st place finishers walked away with $30,000, descending gradually to $1,500 for the 26th-30th place finishers. Also to note, at the end of the season, Pros with the most points will walk away with $75,000. WFP is creating more opportunities for functional fitness athletes to earn a living and compete in a wider range of events. 

World Fitness Project’s first tour stop in Indianapolis was a resounding success and Concept2 is proud to be a sponsor of an event where “People Matter More”.  By prioritizing athlete welfare, transparency, and a supportive yet predictable competitive environment, WFP is clearly putting the athletes first. We are excited to see how this event series will evolve and expand, providing athletes opportunities to grow and improve, and elevate their performance throughout the season.