Exclusive coverage by our very own Rachel Crass!
Every year, Arnold Schwarzenegger sponsors an enormous fitness exposition in Columbus, Ohio, called, not surprisingly, the Arnold Sports Festival, the Arnold Expo, or simply “The Arnold.” Although the Arnold has been around since in the early 1990s, it gets bigger, better and freakier every year. For many athletes in dozens of sports, this is the competition of the year and marks the culmination of 365 days of grueling workouts and insanely-strict diet regimens. The 2010 Expo, which wrapped up Sunday, was the biggest show yet, with the CrossFit Games making its debut.
Although bodybuilding has always been the main attraction/competition at the Expo, the 170,000 spectators who flood the venue from Friday-Sunday get to watch 18,000 athletes compete in 44 different sports, from Archery to Weightlifting. In addition to the sporting events, an entire wing of the venue is devoted to fitness merchandise, including but certainly not limited to clothing, equipment, supplements, meal replacements, artwork, consultations with personal trainers and ask-the-expert advice from some of the world’s most successful bodybuilders. This year’s Arnold hosted 700 such fitness-related booths. Admission into the Expo (including access to all of the merchandisers and the vast majority of sporting events) is just $10/day.
Why Columbus?
Columbus, Ohio, holds a special place in Arnold’s heart, as he won his first Mr. World title there in 1970 (Happy 40th Anniversary, Mr. Gubernator.). The Greater Columbus Convention Center also has an amazing layout, which facilitates easy movement between events, and it’s attached to a hotel as well. So, regardless of the weather, fitness enthusiasts and anyone hoping to be inspired to get in shape can enjoy three full days of fitness mania.
Why Go?
Having been to the Arnold many times now, I’ve seen it grow into something not even pictures can describe. From powerlifting world records, to strongmen carrying 1,000 stones up a ramp, to 14 year-old martial artists, 9 year-old weightlifters and cheerleaders convincing me that cheering actually is tough enough and impressive enough to be considered a sport, the Arnold has it all and it’s a must-see for any hardcore fitness enthusiast.
Don’t think it’s just a freak show, though. The Arnold is, literally, a one-stop shop for anything you can fathom concerning fitness. Need supplement advice? Check. Want to try a few dozen protein bars, powders, and gels before buying anything? Check. Not sure what the difference is between UnderArmour’s line and Adidas’ Climalite line of workout clothes? Just ask. Need inspiration? Done. I’m already looking forward to making the pilgrimage again in 2011.
Want to Compete?
I can’t tell you how many spectators I came across this past weekend who made comments like, “Man, I wish I could be here” and “Geez, I wonder how you can compete in stuff like this.” It broke my heart, and I gladly let them in on my little secret. I’ll let you in on it too. Here it is: While every sporting event has its own selection criteria, competing at the Arnold Sports Festival is rarely more difficult than going to the website (http://www.arnoldsportsfestival.com/), clicking on the sport you’d like to participate in, and meeting their selection criteria. Even if you’ve never competed before, consider doing so, as the rush of a competition can often be a highly motivating factor in your quest to sculpt the perfect body.
More to Come
The Arnold Expo is simply too large, complex and inspiring to sum up in one article, so over the next few weeks, I’ll elaborate on the best parts of the weekend—including the bodybuilding, Olympic weightlifting, strongman and powerlifting competitions. I’ll also share some top-notch training and diet advice I personally received from some of the strongest and most beautiful people on the planet.
Rachel Crass – Born into a weightlifting family, Rachel learned the value of fitness and nutrition early on. She has a B.S. in Biology from the University of Colorado and is a 4-time member of USA’s Jr. World Weightlifting Team. She continues to balance motherhood, work and weightlifting in her drive to make the 2012 US Olympic Weightlifting Team. Rachel can be reached at r_crass@yahoo.com