It’s that time of year again.
The sun has finally returned, everyone is venturing back down the gym…and the BodyPower Expo is upon us.
Everyone at JOE is excited for this huge carnival of muscle, strength and power at the NEC in Birmingham from May 15-17.
It’s the kick up the arse we need to get training hard before summer arrives.
If you haven’t heard about Britain’s biggest fitness and health expo, then here are a few reasons why you need to be there…
RT if you're attending #BodyPowerExpo ! pic.twitter.com/sIc0MN5H0R
— BodyPowerExpo (@BodyPowerExpo) May 11, 2015
Muscles
We’re not weird or anything, but we like muscle. And Bodypower is absolutely packed with them.
There are more guns on show than the Arc Royal – literally anything you want to know about building muscle is under this roof.
You name it, they’ve got it – strongmen, aesthetics athletes, MMA fighters, bodybuilders, Olympians and the odd bikini fitness model too. If you can’t get some gym inspiration here then you might as well cancel your membership now and head down the pub.
https://instagram.com/p/0SM9BwPeDO/?taken-by=ryanjterry
Bodypower Pro Show
Bodybuilding is not everyone’s cup of tea, but these guys are hugely impressive athletes.
The bodybuilding stage is where Arnold Schwarzenegger made his name long before he became the Terminator or the Governator (or whatever ‘–ator’ he is these days).
It’s the only time you’ll see professional physique athletes doing their thing in Britain and seeing them compete is well worth the visit. (We do issue a budgie smuggler warning.)
Phil Heath
If you’ve ever learned anything about bodybuilding, you’ll know the name Phil Heath.
Heath is the king of bodybuilding right now – the reigning Mr Olympia champion with five titles to his name – and he’s chasing down Arnie, Ronnie Coleman and Lee Haney to be regarded as the best of all time.
The guy is huge. He is a masterpiece in muscle – and it has to be seen to be believed.
Well, ‘The Gift’ is jetting over from America to meet his fans in the UK. So get your tickets to the ‘Gun Show’ now.
One of my new shots/poses at this year's Olympia http://t.co/23Z0aCDwYU pic.twitter.com/RccoOhi61F
— PHIL HEATH (@PHILHEATH) September 21, 2014
Free Stuff
Every supplement company this side of Shanghai is at Bodypower – and they just love to give away free stuff. So who are we to stand in their way?
You’ll get loaded up with free samples of protein, pre-workout, healthy brownies and every supplement from amino acids to zinc (A-Z for the alphabet fans out there).
In fact, you will probably not need to stock up again until Bodypower 2016.
CT Fletcher
This man is a living legend.
The American powerlifter is not only strong as f**k, but he’s more entertaining than a night in with the Royle Family.
He might be in his 60s, but this guy has more strength titles than you’ve had hot dinners…and he could still out-bench you. He was a big hit at Bodypower last year and he’s flying over from the States again this year.
Go and soak up some of his expletive-laden pearls of training wisdom…
Strongman contest
It doesn’t matter whether you’re a bodybuilder or a CrossFitter, everyone loves watching blokes picking up heavy sh*t. Well, you’re in luck, because some of the strongest men on the planet will be at Bodypower doing just that.
There’s an amateur competition to watch and huge names (literally) like Terry Hollands will be there giving tips and advice.
https://instagram.com/p/n3OCoeHeOj/?taken-by=eddie_hall_strong
Bikini models
You might think Tanya down the gym is in decent shape, but you ain’t seen nothing yet.
Bodypower attracts some of Britain’s top bikini athletes – and these girls are in unbelievable condition. It’s living proof girls won’t get massive doing weights. Once you’ve managed to pop your eyeballs back in, you’ll never look at Tanya the same again.
https://instagram.com/p/0BtUq7rQkD/?taken-by=michellebrannan
Training advice
Stop listening to Brian and his ‘bro science’ at the squat rack. No wonder your legs won’t grow.
Bodypower is a Mecca for fitness experts, coaches and athletes, so go and soak up their knowledge and boost your training. Ask as many daft questions as you want.
We’re sure someone else must have asked ‘what’s a carb?’ before. The revamped Beach Body area is probably worth a visit if you want to get ripped for Ibiza this year.