TheFitExpo™ Comes to the Chicago Area for the First Time May 2-3, 2015 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center

TheFitExpo™ Comes to the Chicago Area for the First Time May 2-3, 2015 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center 1 The West Coast’s largest and best known fitness event celebrates its 12th anniversary by expanding to the Midwest with TheFitExpo™ Chicago presented by Bodybuilding.com and Optimum Nutrition and sponsored by Subway Restaurants.  The event will take place Saturday and Sunday, May 2 and 3 at Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont, Hall G.

unnamedThe West Coast’s largest and best known fitness event celebrates its 12th anniversary by expanding to the Midwest with TheFitExpo™ Chicago presented by Bodybuilding.com and Optimum Nutrition and sponsored by Subway Restaurants.  The event will take place Saturday and Sunday, May 2 and 3 at Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont, Hall G.

TheFitExpo Chicago will bring together thousands of fitness enthusiasts from the Midwest and around the country. Attendees will come face-to-face with top-tier fitness celebrities, executives and industry veterans on a dynamic, fast-paced exhibition floor.  Over 200 companies will be on hand to display, offer show discounts and give away complimentary samples.

“Our two TheFitExpo events in Los Angeles and San Jose have been such a tremendous success, we felt it was time to bring the show to the Chicago area as well,” says Erin Ferries, Executive Director, TheFitExpo/National Fitness Productions.  “TheFitExpo is for everyBODY, whether you are a hardcore fitness enthusiast or someone taking their first steps towards getting healthier. We promise an exciting and fun weekend for the entire family.”

Featured events on the exhibit floor will include:

Kettlebell Challenge, an event where attendees can test their might and strength by seeing how many times you can lift the kettlebell over your head in three minutes.  Top male and female challengers will receive a cash prize of $500.   Workshops will be available all weekend to help you up your game and get fit.

Get ready for summer with The Evolution Fitness Conference.   Open to all fitness enthusiasts, free cutting edge 30-minute express classes will be offered daily from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 1:30 to 4:00 p.m. including Zumba, Booty Bootcamp, POUND, Celebrity Sweat, Xpressway, and more.

Chicago Affiliate Challenge “Battle of the Boxes” – This event provides the opportunity for area CrossFit style teams to showcase their skills and test their abilities.  Attendees will see why Forbes Magazine says CrossFit is “one of the fastest growing sports in America.” (Register online in advance)

Parkour/FreeRunning – Hosted by Chicago area-based Parkour Ways & Add Chicago, Parkour is an ancient discipline, teaching participants how to flow through their environment by vaulting, rolling, running, climbing and jumping.  See why this sport is so popular with youth for developing self-esteem and fitness.  Bring your family and try it out!   Must be at least 14 years old to participate.

Battle of the Bar 7: Raising the Bar – This competitive sports program has been created by Athletes for Athletes to elevate Calisthenics or street workout movements into a professional series of competitions in order to bring it to the forefront of competitive sports programs.

Extreme Tricking Challenge – Chicago’s famous Windy City Trickers will host this event, performing their aesthetic blend of kicks, flips, twists and intricate groundwork. And they’ll teach you how to do it too!

Along with these special events, several TheFitExpo fan favorites are set to make their way to Chicago, including: the Gracie Regionals 2015 (Jiu Jitsu Tournament); The USPA North American Powerlifting Competition; Odd Haugen’s Strongman Challenge Chicago; Chicago State Armwrestling Championship; 2015 IronMind ViseGrip Viking Challenge; and Mid-America MAS Wrestling Tournament.  Plus attendees get the chance to win cash, prizes and bragging rights with TheFitExpo’s Best and MAXREPS 4 CASH offering ten events for men and women.

On Saturday, attendees can test their MAS strength by stopping at Odd Haugen’s Strength Classic area on the floor and tryout this sport.  Friendly contests will take place against friends or family members of all ages, as a professional MAS athlete provide tips and monitor each bout. There will be a special gift for all who try and a grand prize for the winners of “King and Queen of the Hill” challenge.

Want to be a professional model?  Leading fitness modeling agency Naturally Fit Agency will be conducting a model search all weekend atTheFitExpo.   Bring a comp card, 8 X 10 photo and a resume and dress in fitted jeans and top/shirt and you are guaranteed to be seen.

Fitness greats slated to appear include: Billy Blanks, fitness icon and creator of the Tae Bo exercise program; the 4x and current Mr. Olympia Phil Heath; celebrity MMA Fighter and UFC Hall of Famer Tito Ortiz; former MTV reality star turned fitness guru Emily Schromm; the Naked Chef from MTV’s Snack off and author of 14 Minute Snacks Cookbook Jacques Laventure; the 7 X Mr. Natural Universe Ron Williams; ladies of the Legends Football League’s Chicago Bliss; from NBC’s hit show America’s Got Talent The Chicago Boyz Acrobatic Team; actor and fitness celebrityRoland Kickinger, and many more.

Also Internet sensations not to miss include: Kali Muscle, bodybuilder with 27 million views on YouTube and successful author, actor, philanthropist, motivator; Colin Wayne, fitness athlete and pro model; T. J. Hoban, fitness model and producer; James Ellis, fitness cover model and actor; David Kimmerle, cover model and fitness expert; and Maria Kang, the “No Excuses Mom” whose Facebook photo went viral and got over 16 million views.

For the younger attendees at the Expo, The Kid’s Zone, courtesy of The Gracie Regionals, will offer a supervised space for children 12 and under to learn, play and have fun.  (Separate fee)

Tickets for TheFitExpo Chicago are $25 daily or $40 for both days; tickets for children 12 years and under are $10 per day and children under six are free. Discount coupons offering half-off admission are available at area Subway Restaurants locations. Show hours are Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. and Sunday, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.  Plenty of parking is available

For more information on ticketing, exhibiting or sponsorship opportunities, call (818) 545-0290 or visit www.thefitexpo.comTheFitExpo is produced by National Fitness Productions, presented by Bodybuilding.com and Optimum Nutrition and sponsored by Subway Restaurants, ABB Performance, and Performix.

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About National Fitness Productions (NFP):  NFP is a Glendale, California company celebrating its 12th year producing the West Coast’s largest health and fitness event, TheFitExpo Los Angeles, held annually in January at the Los Angeles Convention Center.   In 2015, NFP brings TheFitExpo to San Jose,June 13-14 and Anaheim, August 22-23.