Meet the team behind BFT Scandinavia
From the first class in London to the opening of Scandinavia’s first BFT studio. For Stine Hjelvik and Endre Sivertsen, the journey began with curiosity about a training concept. Today they lead BFT’s growth in Scandinavia – and are looking for the people who will help take the next step.
- SHStine HjelvikCEO, BFT Scandinavia
- ESEndre SivertsenHead of Franchise, BFT Scandinavia
It started in London
For Stine Hjelvik, CEO of BFT Scandinavia, the story began with a trip to London. As a personal trainer, she was looking for a concept that combined quality, community and training that could work for far more people than just the most experienced.
She found it in BFT.
«My goal is to get people more active. I want to be able to walk out onto the street, bring anyone in, and they should be able to complete what we ask of them. That is what BFT has given me.»
The deciding factor was not just the training itself, but the way it was built. A system where everyone follows the same program, but where the training can still be adapted to the individual.
In Australia, the pieces fell into place
Endre Sivertsen, Head of Franchise at BFT Scandinavia, was on the trip to London. But it was only later, on a trip to Australia, that he truly saw the potential of the concept.
Australia is the home of BFT, and meeting the organisation, the culture and the people behind it made an impression.
«I was on the trip to London, but it was only in Australia that I really understood how big this is, how good it is, and what values lie behind it. And then I knew that when BFT came to Scandinavia, I wanted to be part of it.»
This is where the ambition to bring BFT to Scandinavia really became concrete.
A system where nothing is left to chance
An important part of BFT is the structure behind the training. Programming, exercises and progression are developed as part of a complete training system, while the coach’s most important job is to see the individual and adapt the training.
This means that people with very different starting points can train side by side.
«Absolutely everything is planned. Our coaches are there one hundred percent to adapt the exercises to what you need. I can stand next to an elite athlete or next to someone who has never trained – and we get the same out of the session, just personally adapted.»
It is exactly this combination of a well-developed system and personal coaching that is central to the BFT experience.
Frederiksberg becomes the starting point for Scandinavia
With the opening of BFT Frederiksberg, BFT has its first studio in Scandinavia.
But Frederiksberg is meant to be more than just one training studio. It will be the flagship of BFT Scandinavia and an important hub for further expansion in Denmark, Norway and Sweden.
This is where future franchisees can experience the concept in practice, meet the team and get the training, education and support they need when setting up their own studio.
«When you open your own BFT studio – in Denmark, Norway or Sweden – you come here, meet our BFT-certified coaches and get the training and support you need to build a strong studio in your region.»
The ambition is to build a strong Scandinavian network, where each studio is run locally but has an international concept, a proven system and an experienced team behind it.
Now we are looking for the next people to join the journey
BFT Scandinavia is at the beginning of its growth journey, so Stine and Endre are looking for people who want to build their own business and who see the value of not having to start completely from scratch.
You do not necessarily need to come from the fitness industry. What matters most is the desire to create something, the ability to bring people together and the motivation to run and develop your own business.
As a franchisee, you become part of an international BFT network and get a Scandinavian team close by, who will help you through the process from the first plans to opening and day-to-day operations.
More than a place to train
For Endre, one of the most interesting things about BFT is what happens between the workouts.
The community.
«The Scandinavian market is going to embrace this extremely well. It is not just a generic gym. There is a sense of community I have never seen before – I have never experienced anything like the members’ joy and commitment.»
BFT works from a “people first” philosophy. That applies to the members, the coaches, the studio owners and the organisation around them.
For Stine and Endre, the goal is therefore bigger than opening as many studios as possible. They want to build BFT in Scandinavia together with the right people.
Could you be one of them?
If you are considering starting your own business and are curious whether BFT could be the right opportunity for you, Endre is happy to have a no-obligation chat about the concept, the opportunities and the road to your own BFT studio.
Stine’s advice is simple:
«Go for it. It’s that simple. Contact him – he’s the man.»– Stine Hjelvik on Endre Sivertsen Book a no-obligation chat with Endre