We attended the 2013 Arnold Sports Festival in its 25th year of running in Columbus, Ohio. My husband and I made a 1-night, 2-day trip out of it and drove over Thursday night catching the Amateur shows and then the Expo on Friday. While we were there, we ran into quite an awesome mix of people in the industry…..
Last year we went on Saturday, but chose Friday this year so we could catch the Pro Figure show on the Expo stage and also hope to avoid some of the crowd. Several other people got the memo….it was still pretty crowded! With hundreds of vendors, demos, and an active stage, it was the place to be!
Take part in a fitness demo if you dare!
We caught the ripped IFBB Physique Pro Dana Lynn Bailey
The IFBB Figure Pros took the stage promptly at noon. This was like the Super Bowl to me! Erin Stern and Candice Keene pictured amongst many other talented athletes in the first call out above!
(Click this link to watch our video of Erin Stern taking the stage!)
3x reigning champion IFBB Figure Pro Nicole Wilkins watches the show close up!
Later we catch Nicole on her way to the Met-Rx boothe. She’s a fan favorite for sure!
As we were walking the booths, a ton of security guards swarmed the area and blocked off the crowds. We just so happened upon Arnold himself making a visit to a group of people waiting on photos with him at one of the vendors. We could not have planned that if we tried!
The cut James Ellis poses {and flexes} with a fan!
Healthy food at a fitness expo? Not so much….I packed my own eats!
Can’t catch a glimpse of the stage? No worries…just watch the big screens!
Stage side view. Those lights are SO bright!
There are 4 days of events, including the Expo. Tons of sports venues for all ages take place literally all over town. We caught a glimpse of the Strong Man event as this big guy easily lifts this 500 pound pebble!
Tosca Reno, author of the Eat Clean Diet and wife of Oxygen Magazine creator Robert Kennedy, signs autographs for a fan.
We grabbed a pose down with Arnold on our way out the door!
My tank top souvenir from this awesome show. I’ll be sporting this in the gym tomorrow!
Wow…this day will be hard to top!
Love this post. I spent the weekend watching the Arnold webcast. I like your video of WErin walking although it is side ways. A girl that goes to my gym was competing in Figure. She came in fourth. I would love to go to the Arnold someday. I’m hoping to make it to the Olympia this year.
It shows sideways? I’m sorry! I thought it uploaded properly. So nice to hear from you. My goal is Nationals and it was great to see the Pros in action. I realize they are people just like you and me and ANYTHING’s possible! Where and when is the Olympia? Maybe that is a good one to hit as well!