2025 Seasons outline
THE FFL RETURNS FOR 2025!
Here’s how to join the fun.
Looking for a fitness competition that’s both exciting and inclusive? The FFL is all about recreational competition for athletes of all levels—not just the elite. With Scaled and Rx divisions and a roster of spare athletes on your team, you’ll have the support to step outside your comfort zone while having fun and making new friends. Whether you’re a seasoned competitor or just a few months into your fitness journey, the FFL is the perfect place to challenge yourself and connect with a like-minded community!
What is the Functional Fitness League?
We know it can be confusing with all the FFFFFs… The FFL (formerly the Canadian Affiliate League) has been bringing gym communities together since 2014 with weekly matches and everyone friendly competitions and events. Meanwhile, the non-profit Canadian Functional Fitness Federation focuses on standardizing and legitimizing the sport nationally.
"What I love about the FFL is it's that opportunity to bring all the gyms together on a regular basis. We treat the whole region like one big giant gym. It doesn’t matter how you feel about another affiliate, the members of their community are exactly the same as the members are yours. We're all people that love some sort of functional fitness and to sweat, suffer, and work hard together."
How the FFL Works
The FFL makes participation accessible through its team structure:
Teams include up to 6 athletes with 4 active athletes for each match (2 men, 2 women)
The Season includes 3 weekly matches, with 3-5 workouts per match
Workouts require only 2 athletes, so you can strategically play to your team's strengths
Weekly matches last 2-3 hours with teams competing and judging each other
The season champions will recieve banners, and then the season ranking will count as event 1 at playoffs
Exciting Changes for 2025
This year brings some exciting developments to the FFL:
Two three-week seasons will be held, with exact match times to be finalized but typically Friday nights or Saturday / Sunday afternoons
Instead of separate playoffs, all participating teams will get invited to register for the "Super Playoffs"
The Super Playoffs will be held alongside the Canadian Functional Fitness Federation National Championships on July 18-20 at the PNE Forum in Vancouver
Teams can participate in the seasons in-person in Vancouver or remotely through video submissions to earn their spot at Super Playoffs
How to Participate
Ready to join the fun? Here's how you can get involved:
Form your team - Gather up to 6 athletes (you'll need at least 4 for playoffs)
Register for a season - Participate in at least one of the two seasons to qualify for Super Playoffs
Compete weekly - Attend the weekly matches with at least 2 athletes per workout
Register for Super Playoffs - To maintain your season ranking as event one, all 4 athletes on the playoff team must have taken part in at least 1 season match
Host a Match at Your Gym
Gym owners, this is a great opportunity to showcase your facility and build community. If you host a match, you'll receive:
Free team registration
A percentage of individual match registrations
At least 1 workout tailored to your space (and teams strengths)
Opportunity to invite and share your local brands or products
We’ve locked in the match weekends, but times are still pending - so take a look at what’s available and reach out ASAP to get first dibs!
Join Online or Start Your Own REGION
Not in Vancouver? No problem! You can:
Submit videos of your team's performances to join the competition remotely
Get at least 2 teams (from different affiliates) together to require lower video submission standards
Start your own regional in-person FFL (contact simon@league.fit to learn how)
Why Join the FFL?
The FFL isn't just about competition—it's about building community. We started the league because we missed training with friends from different gyms. The FFL creates regular opportunities for different gym communities to come together, suffer together, and build relationships that extend beyond a single competition weekend.
Building a Balanced Team
Why Team Balance Matters
Ensure all athletes on your team are of a similar fitness level.
A balanced team creates the most enjoyable experience for everyone involved! When teammates share comparable skills and capacities, workouts become collaborative challenges rather than frustrating obstacles. Your athletes may have different abilities with individual skills (ie some can do pullups and some can’t) but it’s important to ensure that the overall average abilities are matched.
What to Avoid
Mixing Rx and Scaled Athletes
If you have one Rx-level athlete on an otherwise scaled team:
They may find workouts unchallenging
Your entire team might be bumped up a division
Your scaled athletes could face discouraging workouts beyond their current abilities
Our Commitment
While we strive to offer balanced workout options for all fitness levels, the most fun and fair season comes when your team composition makes sense from the start. Remember, the FFL is about community, growth, and having fun together. Set your team up for success by recruiting athletes with compatible capabilities!
Ready to Sign Up?
Don't miss this opportunity to challenge yourself, have fun, and be part of a growing community. Whether you're looking to join the Super Playoffs or just want to enjoy some friendly competition, the Functional Fitness League welcomes athletes of all levels.
Make sure you’re on the mailing list and follow @FunctionalFitnessLeague for registration dates!
Affilaites interested in hosting matches, or starting new regions, contact simon@league.fit
Mark your calendars for July 18-20, 2025, and start training for the Super Playoffs at the PNE Forum in Vancouver. We can't wait to see you there!
Are you part of a gym that wants to participate in the FFL? Share this post with your coaches and fellow athletes to start building your team today!