Site Meter Columbus, OH » Blog Archive » Get Fit: The Arnold Sports Festival

Get Fit: The Arnold Sports Festival

by

Also known as the Arnold Classic, this fitness extravaganza has been going on in Columbus for 20 years. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s annual festival of fitness features over 35 different sporting events, including ladies fitness figure competitions, martial arts and this year, the Team USA Olympic weightlifting qualifier.

arnold2_1.jpgFrom the early years, the California Governor has made a point of letting the world know what a great town Columbus is. And in response the event has grown and grown, expanding from just Veteran’s Memorial to take Vet’s, The Greater Columbus Convention Center & Nationwide Arena.

From a personal standpoint I think the Arnold Classic is a fun thing to go to. In any given year your admission fee will get you everything from personal fitness advise, supplement samples galore, the opportunity to ‘try before you buy’ the latest in fitness equipment, and even free evaluations from everyone from personal trainers to chiropractors and sports doctors.

On the other hand, if seeing impossibly perfected ladies and wildly bulked-up men is really not your thing, you might want to simply skip this one. The physical standards set at the classic are more of a ‘Wow! did you see that?’ type than an actually attainable goal for the masses. Added to that, the crowds are ridiculous, you have to pay to park and the vendors can get a little pushy. If you won’t enjoy the events or the trade show, your time and money might be better spent seeing a personal trainer and nutritionist, like the ones at Lifetime Fitness, in the relative calm of the health club and the privacy of their offices.

But if you have the time, $20, and even a little curiosity, the Arnold Sports Festival is one Columbus tradition that I recommend you get to at least once in your life.

arnold1_1.jpg

Arnold Sports Festival

February 29 - March 2 2008

Greater Columbus Convention Center, 400 N. High St.
Nationwide Arena, 200 W. Nationwide Blvd.
Veterans Memorial, 300 W. Broad St.

EXPO hours: Friday 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

$10 EXPO ticket provides admission to most events.

614-431-3600

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Did You Enjoy this Post? Subscribe to Columbus, OH. It's Free!

Leave a Reply


About Columbus, OH

About Columbus, OH is a daily blog about all the great things to do and places to see around Central Ohio. The site includes information on restaurants, museums, events, nightclubs, shopping and other things that should be high on every Columbus visitor's "must do" list. The site is written by a long time Central Ohio resident who now resides in the heart of the city. While the writer is completely honest about her opinions, she tries to keep the posts upbeat and informational. The site is updated Monday through Friday, with a "What to Do This Weekend in Columbus" post rounding out every week.

Columbus, OH Author(s)