Largest fitness expo in the southern hemisphere heads to Melbourne

For the first time, the Australian Fitness & Health Expo, the largest fitness and health event in the southern hemisphere, will be staged in Melbourne in 2014.

Set to be one of the biggest staged in the Expo's twenty-year history, the Australian Fitness & Health Expo will, in addition to the launch of the latest fitness equipment, fashion and classes, will also see the addition of a number of fitness challenges and opportunities to participate along with new, high profile national and international sporting competitions that will run live at the Expo.

The event is being held from 4th to 6th April at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre.

For professionals who own or manage a gym, run a personal training studio or teach fitness classes, key features of the 2014 Australian Fitness & Health Expo will enables visitors to:

See it.
All of the major fitness and health brands attend the Expo to unveil their latest equipment and products. This is where fitness professionals get to assess the latest release equipment and classes and talk directly to the manufacturers. All the well-known and respected brands will be on show, including Technogym, Precor, Avanti, Matrix and Life Fitness with the Main Stage featuring demonstrations of equipment in action. The Fitness Business Advice Centre supported by Fitness Australia will be available if you want to speak to an expert and ask questions about any aspects of running a fitness business. Head to the Team Up Healthy Living & Endurance stage to hear training tips and advice from top coaches and athletes or watch a cooking demonstration from the Healthy Chef, Teresa Cutter.
 
Try it.
If there was ever a year to wear your runners and workout gear to the Expo, this is it. There will be plenty of opportunities to work up a sweat and even compete, if you wish. For the first time, Les Mills will be running free 45-minute group fitness classes at the Les Mills Stage. Participate in Body Pump, Spin, Combat and Attack classes led by celebrity instructors. If you're feeling like a little competition, you can try qualifying for the Fit Bloke or Fit Chick challenge held in The Arena, a purpose-built Crossfit competition zone complete with stadium seating. There will also be a series of endurance tests taking place around the Expo, including the Versa Climber Challenge, which offers a chance to win a Versa climber for your gym or studio valued at $6000.

Live it.
The vibe at this year's Expo will be electric with a number of high profile sporting competitions taking place live on the Expo floor across the three days. These will include:

• The Victorian Jiu-Jitsu Championships run by Australian Federation of Brasilian Jiu Jitsu in the MMA Arena. Over 1000 athletes are expected to compete.
• Australian Boxing Championships run by Boxing Australia
• Natural bodybuilding competitions run by the International Natural Bodybuilding Association. Over 500 bodybuilders will compete.
• International Pacific Powerlifting Invitational, reserved for the strongest men and women in the world, including current Superheavyweight World Champions , to tackle all-time records.
• Australian Raw Powerlifting Championships. 

The Australian Fitness & Health Expo will again be co-located with the FILEX convention. Presented by the Australian Fitness Network, FILEX offers over 250 sessions delivered by the industry's leaders and renowned educators making it a convenient way for fitness professionals to access all of the resources they need under one roof.

Introducing FILEX 2014, Australian Fitness Network Executive Director Nigel Champion, explains "as technology and lifestyle developments change societal behaviour, our industry is experiencing a change in what people want and expect from their fitness experience. 

"A decade ago boot camps were only for the military ... five years ago small group training was what happened when not many participants showed up to a group ex class. Now, both are staples of the Australian fitness scene.

"When faced with change we can either keep doing what we've always done and hope for the best, or we can embrace it and capitalise on the opportunities it presents. A quality shared by successful people in all walks of life is a willingness to adapt and respond to the world around them. In business, as in nature and, indeed, every aspect of life, those that embrace change survive and flourish.

"In 2014, Australian Fitness Network's flagship FILEX convention takes inspiration from the words of an individual who knows a thing or two about change, the great Nelson Mandela: 'Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world.'

"Whether you are changing a nation, or changing a single life, education in its many forms serves as the catalyst for moving from the old, to the new. From world-renowned Michael Port's opening Keynote Address, through over 250 sessions from more than 150 presenters, FILEX 2014 is your opportunity to discover the latest developments in all things fitness – providing you with the means to bring about real change in the lives of your clients, members and participants.

"For the FILEX team, moving the convention to Melbourne in 2014 marks the biggest physical change in the event's illustrious 20 year history. It is no exaggeration, however, to say that the fresh challenges and opportunities provided by the move have inspired us to even greater heights."

For more information go to www.fitnessexpo.com.au

27th November 2013 - EXCITING CHANGES TO AUSTRALIA’S LARGEST FITNESS AND HEALTH EXHIBITION