TheFitExpo Anaheim’s First Event Features a Lot of To See and Do

by Drew Kaplan · Published August 24, 2015 · Updated August 24, 2015

Crossfit competition

It’s not clear to me whether TheFitExpo Anaheim is a blessing for those with ADD or a curse. But one thing is certain: there is a lot going on. Having taken place over the past two days in the Anaheim Convention Center, this event was the first in Anaheim for TheFitExpo. While I was only able to attend yesterday’s festivities, there is a lot to experience and watch, between the various vendors and job opportunities, not to mention the many options of samples. These sampling options included not only various whey protein drinks, energy drinks, and some supplements, but also beef jerky, tuna fish, and more. Oh, and I hadn’t even mentioned the competitions!

Attendees enjoying nutrition supplements for tasting and for sale

There are many items being sold, such as workout equipment, workout gear, nutritional supplements, protein powders, and much more. There were some celebrities in the fitness world who had booths that attendees could visit. And there were also quite the handful of law enforcement agencies looking to recruit who were there. Attendees can definitely feel safe with all of them around!

Ultimate Armwrestling League

Other activities included something that looked like an adult jungle gym area, as well as an area for crossfit competitions, and another for weightlifting competition. The Ultimate Armwrestling League (yes, apparently, that does exist) held a competition, while nearby there was a stage MaxReps4Cash was hosting opportunities for attendees to win cash. Most of the competitions were already over by 4pm, though, which left some time to continue wandering the exhibition floor.

Chef Patrick Stark leading a demonstration in The Healthy Living Pavilion

There was also a Healthy Living Pavilion with healthy cooking demonstrations, a Bodybuilding Stage with different presentations, and an area for fitness workouts, where different individuals or groups led workouts, including one by the founder of Tae-Bo, Billy Blanks.

Billy Blanks leading a workout

One thing I knew going into TheFitExpo Anaheim was feeling inadequately fit. While my expectation matched my experience, I didn’t feel particularly out-of-place. Also, I would imagine that, no matter how fit one is, one will see someone else there whom one thinks is more fit than one is. While this could be despair-inducing, it could also – as I imagine it does for many of the attendees – inspire encouragement to work towards more fitness. Not helping matters was seeing couples, wherein both members were quite fit; this can be a very encouraging experience to get more fit. Also, as could be expected, many of the people at the booths were, themselves, exemplars of fitness, especially those who are celebrities in the fitness world.

Tanji Johnson answering a question on Females of Fitness panel

While there were certainly many things to see and experience, including many competitions, none could compare to the excitement found at the National Pro Grid League (NPGL) games. There were two games on Saturday and two games yesterday, allowing all eight teams in the league to play in one game each. So, I had never heard of either GRID or the NPGL, but I was curious to check it out. It didn’t take long for me to be quite entertained.

Venus Williams watching the DC Brawlers play an NPGL game

Walking into the arena at the Anaheim Convention Center, on encounters upbeat, uptempo music and, as I was sitting down, I saw Sofia Vergara and Joe Manganiello walk past me. But that was fine, since there was still one celebrity in attendance. Apparently, Venus Williams is a fan of the DC Brawlers, and she was excitedly cheering on the Brawlers, and looked particularly happy about their win.

An NPGL game between the Los Angeles Reign and Phoenix Fire

In an NPGL game, there are 11 races in which co-ed teams compete in a variety of crossfit activities; it’s essentially a professional co-ed competitive crossfit league. I had never heard of it, but it being paired with TheFitExpo Anaheim, gave it a boost in terms of exposure (certainly to me, but to others, as well (e.g.)). The competition floor is made up of a grid of four separate quadrants, with a contraption splitting up each side from the teams.

The end of each NPGL race is always exciting. Here, Noah Olsen of the Los Angeles Reign finishing up the Snatch Ladder while his teammates and fans cheer

Although all of the individual races were entertaining, my favorite was The Ladder, where the athletes incrementally lift more in snatch-and-clean. Other races include multiple lifting, push-ups, and many more crossfit athletics. Like any race, the excitement comes when either one team finishes first or time runs out for each race, and the excitement is really enthralling.

Taylor Drescher of the Los Angeles Reign competing in the Snatch Ladder

The NPGL games was quite the set-up with a fair amount of personnel, including camera folks, announcers – one man and one woman – referees, equipment wranglers, and more. Attendees watched in stands and other stands. In between each of the races, there were several minutes so that the equipment wranglers could clear out equipment and to set up for the next race. When I arrived, I saw the latter half of one competition – between the DC Brawlers vs New York Rhinos – then the entire competition between the Los Angeles Reign and the Phoenix Rise. This latter competition came down to the very last race, which provided a lot of energy, although the home team, Reign, lost.

The first weekend for TheFitExpo Anaheim seems to have been filled with excitement, activities, and attendees and one hopes it will return to Orange County.

(For more pictures of the event, see here.)

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