Event this weekend will feature health advice, gear, gadgets, seminars, workshops, demonstrations and more for anyone interested in a better lifestyle.
Dust off your running shoes and prepare to be inspired this weekend. Calgary’s first-ever YYCfit Health and Fitness Expo is here and promises to motivate even the most avowed couch potato. Already fit? Great, there’s stuff for you, too.
“Anyone with an interest in health and fitness is welcome,” says Erika Holter, YYCfit president. “We’ll have people who are quite healthy and fit who want to find new things to try out. And (the expo) will be really good for people who want to introduce more healthy living into their lives, but aren’t entirely sure where to start.”
As for where to start, attendees will find plenty of ideas. Nearly 100 businesses will be on-hand showcasing everything from boutique fitness classes and adventure travel to workout gear, healthy food and aromatherapy. (Hot tip from Holter: Keep an eye out for deals and giveaways at the booths.)
For live demonstrations, be sure to swing by the demo stage, where you’ll be able to check out CrossFit, stick fighting, “urban poling,” rowing and more. Ready to get hands-on? Head to the activity corner for a taste of self defense, dance, hypnotism and other activities, and let your kidlets romp around in the KIDfit Zone.
The weekend’s events also include a variety of talks, such as “Things I Learned from 100 Marathons,” panel discussions and a World Guinness Record presentation by Mayor Nenshi.
Aficionados of The Bachelorette and Bachelor In Paradise take note: You’ll want to sit in for the Q&A with cast member Daniel Maguire, a personal trainer and model. (That session is happening Sunday afternoon — a fun post-brunch outing for Mother’s Day, if your mama’s a fan.)
Last but not least, the expo will host the Western Canadian Strongman Classic, with the finals taking place Saturday night. You can catch that event while you sit back and grab a drink in the beer gardens.
No one said healthy living can’t include a beer or two.
YYCfit takes place May 13 and 14 at Stampede Park’s Big Four Building. Tickets range from $7 to $15 and can be bought online and at the door. For a schedule of events, and to snag your tickets, head to yycfitexpo.ca.
Michelle Magnan McIvor is a Calgary-based writer. A former health and wellness columnist with the Calgary Herald, she has written for publications such as Maclean’s, Canadian Business, Chatelaine, Flare, Avenue and Reader’s Digest. You can find Michelle on Twitter, Instagram and, most days, drinking coffee somewhere in Mission.
