USAWA

by Thom Van Vleck

Recently I got to attend the Arnold Fit Expo in Columbus, Ohio for the 3rd time.  Pretty crazy event.  It is there that I’ve got to meet Franco Columbo, Frank Zane, Lou Ferrigno, Tommy Kono, and Arnold himself!  I’ve also gotten up close with many of the World’s Strongest Man competitors.

When I say it’s a crazy event it’s not for the person who hates large crowds.  There are people everywhere.  I’ve heard as many as 200,000 attend.  There are athletic events going on all over the place as well as bodybuilding, Olympic lifting, Powerlifting, and Strong Man.  You can’t see it all.

There are trade booths set up in the main convention area.  Selling supplements, equipment, gear….anything related to weightlifting and exercise.

This year I attended as an assistant to the equipment director at the indoor Scottish Highland Games.  I would have rather been a competitor!  It was well attended with some of the largest crowds I’ve seen for a Highland Games.  The Pro Class was won by Spencer Tyler who put on one of the greatest performances I’ve ever seen at a Highland Games.  He set several World Records.  The next day he got to go to the main stage and compete against Halfthor “The Mountain” Bjornnson.

I would say that every muscle head should make the trip at least once.  I know I’ll go back.