Active for life: Valley Fitness Expo hopes to get residents moving

You don’t have to a serious bodybuilder, or even a health “nut” to check out this summer’s first-ever Valley Fitness Expo. In fact, organizers Autumn Bentz, Lanet Spence and Teresa Moss said they just want to get people active.

The three friends, who between them have 55 years of fitness, nutrition and bodybuilding experience under their belts, decided to tie the expo into the 2017 Wasilla Centennial celebration. Working with City of Wasilla officials, the ladies of LATitude group have set Aug. 5 for the event taking place at the Menard Sports Complex.

The ladies have a mission: to enhance the overall health and quality of life for the entire family through activity, experience and education. With that, the expo will be a venue of informative and entertaining activities including classes, Zumba dancing, cooking demos, book and autograph signings, contests, prizes and a continuing education track for fitness professionals and more than 100 vendor booths.

In addition to the above, other events on tap include, a food-truck alley, an open farmer’s market, a “Decades of H2oh!!!” swimsuit show, a family fitness challenge and the Wasilla Centennial Bodybuilding Show.

“It’s not going to be like any other show,” Moss said about the bodybuilding event. “We want people to know they don’t have to be a serious bodybuilder to be healthy. We want to energize and involve young people. This is a family event but it’s not like any other show.”

The exact schedule of events and vendors is not finalized but the main attractions include the family fitness challenge, swimsuit show and bodybuilding competition. The ladies said the show will feature the timeline and history of the swimsuit from the turn of the previous century through today. The fitness challenge involves family members visiting participating vendors where they will have to get active.

“Families will visit the vendor and have to do something. It may be one pushup, something to get active,” Spence said.

“We have a huge problem with diabetes and obesity and it’s just getting worse. Sometimes parents can motivate kids and sometimes kids can motivate people. They can do it. We just want to get them moving,” Moss said.

All three women stress one doesn’t have to an Arnold Schwarzenegger physique to get involved in the bodybuilding competition.

The following classes are on the books—Wasilla Centennial High School Mr. and Miss Fit; general fitness bikini and figure classes; and for the more serious competitors—women and men’s physique classes and a men’s bodybuilding class. The winners from each will advance for a chance to claim the Mr. and Mrs. Wasilla Centennial title.

The ladies admit that the expo’s focus is on improving and maintaining overall health, but are quick to point out that doesn’t mean just eating salads and fish or chicken. That’s why they’ve set up a food truck alley. Vendors throughout the Mat-Su and elsewhere are invited to set up shop and peddle their wares. They feel “comfort foods” are okay as long as one stays active. But for those who prefer otherwise, a fresh market will also be on the grounds where locally-grown offerings will be available.

“We want to get them involved and then realize they can start doing this and I don’t have to stop this cold turkey. Start (getting active) now. The more you do, the more it forces you to make better choices. Life is meant to be enjoyed a food is a big part of that,” Moss said.

In addition, Bentz said the ladies are very pleased to have secured former Anchorage mayor Rick Mystrom. A Type I diabetic and prolific author on the subject, Mystrom’s appearance will coincide with the national release of his third book “Diabetic Lifeline Diet.” Mystrom is providing the expo’s keynote address and will share his extensive research on the subject with the public.

“I have a passion for helping people find small steps on the way to create a really long life in fitness and health,” said Spence. “I think it’s important that we get outside every day, that we move every day, staying healthy and enjoy life. Too many of us are sedentary. It’s becoming a real health problem that’s sad to watch.”

The event’s website, valleyfitnessexpo.com, has a complete breakdown of to-date events and overall information. The ladies also invite those interested to visit the event Facebook page at Valley Fitness Expo.