(Los Angeles, Calif…October 06, 2008)  The Los Angeles Fitness Expo is proud to welcome Odd Haugen and his All-American Strongman Challenge back to California’s largest fitness event, The 2009 Los Angeles FitnessExpo™ presented by Gaspari Nutrition and Bodybuilding.com, Saturday and Sunday, January 24-25 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, 1201 South Figueroa Street, South Halls G & H.

The All-American Strongman Challenge features the strongest men in the world, offers over $10,000 in cash prizes and will determine the American athletes to compete in the 2009 World’s Strongest Man Super Series. The top six athletes will receive All-American Team Honors and the top athlete will be invited to one of the Grand Prix stops on the 2009 WSM Super Series, which is one step from qualifying for the 2009 World’s Strongest Man.
Competitions in strength discipline will include: the Farmer’s Walk, Log Press, Super Yoke Carry, Stones of Strength, and a overhead lift. Plus, strongmen will attempt to pull a 20-30,000 pound “Subway” truck over an 80-100 Ft. course using a harness and a rope.

“We’re pleased to once again host the All American Strongman Challenge in 2009,” said The Los Angeles Fitness Expo Executive Director, Erin Ferries. “The Strongman Challenge requires supreme fitness and strength training, and our audience really looks forward to it every year.”

Odd Haugen, Strongman Challenge founder, said, “We always look forward to coming back to The Los Angeles Fitness Expo. Our participation in the Expo offers us a platform to introduce the Strongman sport to a mainstream audience, which helps the sport to grow.”

Some new 2009 Los Angeles Fitness Expo events include:

•  The inaugural FITEXPO SUMO GRAND PRIX, an International Sumo
tournament.  Event host, Troy Collins, President & Trustee of the United
States Sumo Federation brings his world-class competitors to the Los
Angeles Fitness Expo stage in one of the oldest and most revered sports in
the world.

•  Wardance Entertainment presents the AMERICAN STREET DANCE CHAMPIONSHIPS where the best street dancers in the world will come to battlein Locking, Popping, BBoying and Hip-Hop competitions. ASDC will take place on Sunday January 25th. Also featured will be master street dance classes with celebrity guests.

•  THE GRACIE KIDS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS.  This is the first event of its kind and based on the success of the 2008 US Nationals, which featured hundreds of Jiu Jitsu and grappling competitors from as far away as New Zealand, it is sure to be a big hit.

Expo attendees will also cheer on competitors participating in returning
contests including The Iron Man Pro XX, The Scot Mendelson Pro Bench Press Classic, The Gracie US Nationals and USPF American Cup Powerlifting. The Gladiator Challenge will offer a great card of MMA bouts as well.

The Los Angeles Fitness Expo offers something for everyBODY!  Attendees will find over 250 exhibits offering the newest in fitness, diet, nutrition, strength and wellness products and services. During both days of the Expo, many leading fitness professionals will be presenting educational seminars and demonstrations on subjects such as proper nutrition and dieting, exercise philosophies, making health and fitness your business and many more.

Adult admission tickets are $15 per day or $20 for the full weekend, children 12 years and under are $5 per day and children under six are free. Show hours are Saturday, 9:30 AM – 6:30 PM and Sunday, 10 AM – 5 PM. Plenty of parking is available. For more information on ticketing, exhibiting or sponsorship opportunities call (818) 545-0290 or visit www.thefitexpo.com

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PR Contacts:

Monica Gillen
(714) 271-4081
mcatg@earthlink.net

Mary Anderson-Harris
(818) 729-9291
aharrism@pacbell.net