Annual Show for Fitness Fans
Thousands of fitness fanatics flocked to the 2013 FitExpo held this past weekend at the Los Angeles Convention Center in the heart of the L.A. LIVE entertainment complex.
The “Chatter Box” was on hand, along with several amateur fighters and coaches, to check out the newest trends in fight gear, boxing training and workout equipment in combat sports.
And this year’s show (FitExpo’s 10th Anniversary) proved to be even bigger and better as SoCal fans showed their support for this annual show in L.A. The West Hall was packed with attendees–from new fitness buffs to pro athletes–all convening for a weekend of competitions, meet-and-greets, and product tasting. This yearly fitness fest is a chance to try out the latest trends, sample fitness products and see celebrities from various sports. It has become a tradition to start this new year off with a bang at “TheFitExpo.”
The fight game was represented with a special boxing demonstration and exhibit featured in the venue. Expo guests learned the various benefits and discipline that the sweet science has to offer including strength and conditioning, balance, cardio and weight loss. During the day, there was also a a jump rope competition and a big “Piloxing” party with many taking part in the art of Piloxing (combining boxing with Pilates).
With the 2013 well underway, men and women of all ages and levels told me they like to incorporate boxing skills into their gym workouts. Training hard, eating right and staying fit are the New Year’s resolutions of the fighters I spoke to.
Several familiar faces from boxing and MMA were present including representatives from Big John McCarthy’s Fight Club and the “Island Boost” booth, a new company which works with several top boxing champions and contenders. I chatted with the Island Boost President Laura Mildon, an athlete who developed the natural drink to enhance performance in convenient pouches.
Laura mentioned she works with boxers from the famed Wild Card Boxing Club and is a big fan of the fight game too. She lists NABF Lightweight Champ Ray Beltran, WBO Intercontinental Light Welterweight titlist Ruslan Provodnikov and former WBO NABO Bantamweight Champion Khabir Suleymanov as some of the prizefighters she is currently working with and use the three flavors of Island Boost in their workouts.
Mildon was just one of the group of exhibitors having a great time meeting the patrons that lined the endless aisles.
The FitExpo was bigger than ever with a steady stream of fans checking out the exhibits in the halls with a broad range of fierce competitions, workshops, seminars, live demos and performances showcasing the latest technology and science of the sports.
Fans got to fist bump “Ultimate Fighter” star Krzysztof Soszynski and Mr. Olympia Phil Heath, compare biceps and abs with Holly Talcott (heavy lifting competitor), model/radio host Krista Kosmicki, Casey Lee (IFBB Bikini Pro), fitness model Chille DeCastro, Powerhouse Gym’s Eric the Trainer (“Flip N Smash Fest”), Gracie fighters, and many more who signed autographs and posed with the fans.
During the weekend event, one of the most popular draws was the table of “Team Hooters.” The Hooters Girls have hosted ring card girl competitions and bikini contest at the yearly FitExpo bashes and are always have a long line of admirers at their exhibit. Rocking the famous orange shorts and white crop tops were Hooters Girls Lexi, Drea, Cahley, Brittani, Pamela and Brooke. The gals told me they enjoyed the weekend and getting to meet their loyal legion of fans.
All in all, “TheFitExpo” 2013 was a KO weekend for all the attendees.
Check out some snapshots of the knockouts appearing at the show!
Photos by Michele Chong and Steve Harpst
