Everything about BF3 – British Functional Fitness

With Jason C F Media, Magda Rotsztejn & Harry Thomsett

The British Functional Fitness Federation (BF3) is making waves in the fitness world, aiming to transform functional fitness into a globally recognised sport. This blog highlights key points from an in-depth discussion with BF3’s CEO, Harry Thomsett, and Director of Operations, Magda Rotsztejn, hosted by Jason C F Media.

The Mission of BF3

The BF3’s primary mission is to professionalise functional fitness and achieve recognition as an Olympic sport. While this Olympic dream is ambitious, it is only one aspect of the federation's broader vision. The ultimate goal is to create a sustainable sport that benefits gym owners, athletes, coaches, and the wider fitness community.

The Super Worlds and Global Presence

The BF3’s efforts are showcased in events like the upcoming Super Worlds, a major international functional fitness competition combining youth, open, and masters categories into a single event. Such competitions underscore the federation’s commitment to fostering excellence and uniting the fitness community.

Currently, the International Functional Fitness Federation (iF3), of which BF3 is a member, boasts 67 national federations. Some countries, such as Sweden and Norway, already recognise functional fitness as an official sport, offering valuable inspiration and a roadmap for BF3’s objectives in the UK.

Why BF3 and Not CrossFit?

One key distinction is that commercial entities like CrossFit cannot govern a sport under Olympic rules. Just as triathlon governance transitioned from commercial bodies to international federations before being accepted into the Olympics, BF3 aims to establish functional fitness as a sport independent of any commercial brand. This governance approach ensures broader community ownership and alignment with global sports standards.

The Benefits of Sports Governance

Beyond Olympic recognition, BF3 aims to bring structure and sustainability to the sport by:

Introducing coaching qualifications and anti-doping standards.

Creating a clear competition season from grassroots to international levels.

Aligning with government policies to promote physical activity in schools and communities.

Ensuring fair play and safety standards in competitions.

This approach mirrors successful models in other sports, such as football and triathlon, fostering growth at both grassroots and professional levels.

How to Get Involved

BF3 invites everyone passionate about functional fitness to join their mission. Opportunities include:

Becoming a member (individual or affiliate) to influence decisions and support recognition efforts.

Volunteering for committees or operational roles.

Participating in competitions or promoting the federation’s mission within personal networks.

Membership offers individuals and gyms a chance to shape the future of functional fitness, while also helping the BF3 demonstrate community support to UK sports councils.

A Vision for the Future

BF3 envisions a future where functional fitness is part of school curriculums, community centres, and global sports stages. By professionalising the sport, the federation aims to ensure it thrives for decades, supporting athletes, gym owners, and the fitness community at large.

Functional fitness is more than a trend—it’s a movement that combines health, competition, and community. With BF3 leading the charge, the sport has the potential to inspire millions, from casual participants to elite athletes, while achieving recognition on the world stage.

BF3, the British Functional Fitness Federation, is the UK’s National Governing Body for the sport. Their mission is to create a sustainable, professional framework for athletes, coaches, and gym owners, while seeking official recognition from Sport England to secure public funding. They also support the iF3’s goal of getting functional fitness into the Olympic Games by 2032. Want to help? Sign up today and strengthen our case to Sport England!