Recap: The First-Ever World Fitness Project Tour Stop & What It Means for Functional Fitness

This past weekend, the World Fitness Project (WFP) launched its inaugural Tour Stop in Indianapolis, introducing a new competition structure to the global functional fitness community. While still in its early stages, the WFP brings a unique format that could complement the current competition landscape.

Athlete Spotlight: Jeffrey Adler & Ella Wilkinson

Jeffrey Adler, the 2023 Fittest Man on Earth, showed why he’s a force in the sport. Competing in the Pro Division, Adler brought intensity and precision to every workout. After two days of action, he was just three points behind the leader, ending with a strong 329-point finish. With more tour stops ahead, Adler is firmly in the race for the overall title.

Ella Wilkinson, a rising star from the UK, earned her Pro Division spot through the WFP Online Qualifiers. Her performance in Indianapolis highlighted her grit and versatility. While the full leaderboard is still taking shape, Wilkinson made her mark as one to watch throughout the season.

What Is the World Fitness Project?

The World Fitness Project is a newly launched functional fitness competition series that offers athletes a three-phase season structure. Rather than replacing existing events, WFP appears to be carving out a complementary lane for athletes seeking additional opportunities to compete.

1. Online Qualifiers

Athletes compete in a series of workouts remotely. The top 10 finishers qualify for the Pro Division, while ranks 11–30 enter the Challenger Division, a pipeline for up-and-coming talent.

2. WFP Tour Stops

Live, in-person competitions where athletes earn season points. These points accumulate across tour stops and determine who qualifies for the Finals. The first stop in Indianapolis featured high-intensity programming and elite matchups that tested every aspect of fitness.

3. World Fitness Finals

The season concludes in December in Copenhagen, Denmark, where the top athletes across divisions will face off for the WFP Championship title.

Why This Matters for the Future of Fitness

The emergence of the WFP adds another avenue for athletes to test their fitness and gain competition experience. With a format that blends remote qualifiers and live events, it offers flexibility and season-long structure. Whether it will become a long-term fixture in the competitive calendar remains to be seen, but the opening event drew attention from athletes, fans, and brands alike.

It’s important to note that many WFP competitors—including Adler and Wilkinson—are active in the CrossFit ecosystem, and this event seems to serve as a supplement, not a substitute, to existing competitions.

What’s Next?

The WFP season continues with:

• Tour Stop II – Mesa, Arizona (Aug 29–31)

• World Fitness Finals – Copenhagen, Denmark (Dec 18–21)

As the WFP season progresses, athletes will have additional chances to earn points and improve standings heading into the Finals. For those following the competitive fitness space, this could offer fresh stories and rivalries to follow throughout the year.

With early storylines already emerging—like Adler’s consistent dominance and Wilkinson’s breakout performance—fans can expect plenty of drama, upsets, and highlight-reel moments in the months ahead.