Ogden Fitness Expo displays muscles, offers nutrition resources in first year
Lisa Wolfley (right) concentrates before the start of her round against Michelle Smart (left) in the women's arm wrestling matches on June 4, 2016 in Ogden Utah at the Ogden Fitness Expo.
Kody Merritt celebrates victory in his early arm wrestling match at the Ogden Fitness Expo held on 25th Street on June 4, 2016 in Ogden.
OGDEN — ‘Sun’s out, guns out,’ as they say.
On one of the hottest days in Ogden so far this season, there were lots of muscled arms and sleeveless shirts as bodybuilders, arm wrestlers, strongmen (and women) and fitness fans gathered downtown for the first-ever “Ogden Fitness Expo.”
The event kicked off Saturday morning at the Ogden Amphitheater. It featured a CrossFit team “throwdown” competition, an arm wrestling competition and a body building show. There was also a “strongman” competition where participants lifted cars, 700-pound tires and stones. All events were open to both amateurs and professional athletes.
“I don’t mind team sports, they’re awesome and fantastic. But I’m trying to make people aware that there are individual sports out there … based on you only,” said event organizer Derek Draper. “If you don’t lift that up, you didn’t lift it up. It wasn’t because a guy back here didn’t block a guy … it’s only you.”
The spectator turnout was modest for a sunny Saturday, but Draper said he hopes to see the expo grow in coming years.
Stephen Smith/Special to the Standard-Examiner
Ryan Lund competes in the “Strongman” Competition as part of the Ogden Fitness Expo on June 4, 2016 in Ogden Utah.
“I’d like to see it explode, and have this whole street cram-packed,” he said.
Lindsey Whitney came to the expo after hearing about it at her gym, CrossFit Kimokeo in Layton. She took third place in the CrossFit throwdown competition.
She said she likes CrossFit, a fitness program that incorporates various high-intensity exercises, because it both keeps her healthy and works as a form of therapy. She had advice for those looking for motivation to get off the couch and make fitness more of a priority.
“Just start small and figure out what you love,” she said. “Not everyone is going to love the same thing, and there’s so much to do in fitness.”
Stephen Smith/Special to the Standard-Examiner
Taylor Treasure competes in the bodybuilding competition as a part of the Ogden Fitness Expo held on Historic 25th Street June 4, 2016 in Ogden Utah.
Aaron Yearsley, an Ogden resident, is a professional arm wrestler who took first place in the left-hand competition for his weight division. He’s traveling to Las Vegas in two weeks to compete in the World Armwrestling League championship.
“Basically, arm wrestling is about holding strength – you’re training tendons, not muscles,” he said. “There’s a lot to it.”
When it comes to training, Yearsley said thinking about his competitors helps him stay driven.
“If I’m not doing something every day to get better at my sport, I know the other guy is,” he said. “You have to do something every day. Thinking about it, sleeping and dreaming about it, it’s a lifestyle.”
Stephen Smith/Special to the Standard-Examiner
John Shipes defeats Forrest Moore in preliminary round action in arm wrestling at the Ogden Fitness Expo June 4, 2016 in Ogden Utah.
Draper hasn’t always been fit himself. He said he lost motivation to work out in 2012 after falling into depression. But encouragement from friends got him back into the gym and research on proper nutrition ultimately helped him reach his fitness goals.
He’d like the expo to help others connect to the same resources.
“That’s the whole point,” he said. “I think this will grow as word spreads.”
Contact Reporter Leia Larsen at 801-625-4289 or llarsen@standard.net. Follow her on Facebook.com/leiaoutside or on Twitter @LeiaLarsen.