2009 Arnold Blog

The Arnold Classic also know as the Arnold Fitness Weekend or Arnold Sports Festival has now been around for 20 years. It is know as one of the most extravagant and prestigious events in the industry just behind the Olympia.  

The Arnold Classic includes has expanded over the years to include the Ms. International, Fitness International, and Figure International competitions as well as the Arnold Classic men’s bodybuilding. Now it has expanded into a whole weekend of multiple sports events such as gymnastics, cheer leading, dance, fencing, table tennis, yoga, martial arts, strongman competitions, archery, wrestling, power lifting and many other sports.

Learn more about the Arnold, see who the winners were each year as well as what events have been involved every year.

2009 Arnold Classic
2008 Arnold Classic
2007 Arnold Classic
2006 Arnold Classic
2005 Arnold Classic
2004 Arnold Classic
2003 Arnold Classic
2002 Arnold Classic
2001 Arnold Classic
2000 Arnold Classic
1999 Arnold Classic
1998 Arnold Classic
1997 Arnold Classic
1996 Arnold Classic
1995 Arnold Classic
1994 Arnold Classic
1993 Arnold Classic
1992 Arnold Classic
1991 Arnold Classic
1990 Arnold Classic
1989 Arnold Classic

Post by: Donlon

Derek Poundstone, a police officer from Waterbury, Conn., is out to dominate Strongman in 2009 by winning all three of the sport’s major championships in 2009.

Poundstone’s quest begins at the Arnold Sports Festival, where he looks to improve on a second-place finish at the 2008 Arnold Strongman Classic, March 6-8 at the 2009 Arnold Sports Festival. The sport’s other two major championships are the Fortissimus Strongman in June and the World’s Strongest Man in September.

“I am going out to win all three events this year,” he said. “That is the only way to be the undisputed ‘world’s strongest man.’”

Poundstone, 27, finished the 2008 season with a second-place finish at his debut at the World’s Strongest Man contest in Charleston, W. Va. He was narrowly beaten by Poland’s Mariusz Pudzianowski, who won his record fifth World’s Strongest Man event.

However, Pounstone will not have to battle six-time defending Arnold Strongman Classic king Zydrunas Savickas of Lithuania Savickas is taking a year off before a planned return at the 2010 Arnold Strongman Classic.

“My only goal is to win all three events and I have to start my year off the right way to achieve the goal. First place is the only option,” Poundstone said. “It is kind of sad that Zydrunas is not going to compete. The only hope to instantly put you in the realm of the great champions is to defeat them at the competition that they dominate.”

Poundstone joins a strong U.S. contingent at the 2009 Arnold Strongman Classic that also includes Phil Pfister (Charleston, W. Va.), Travis Ortmayer (Cypress, Texas), Brian Siders (Charleston, W. Va.) and Dave Ostlund (Edina, Minn.). International entrants include Mikhail “Misha” Koklyaev (Russia), Andrus Merumets (Estonia), Vidas Blekaitis (Lithuania), Ervin Katona (Serbia) and Oleksandr Pekanov (Ukraine). Pudzianowksi has been invited to compete as well, but has not yet accepted.

Post by: Donlon

I have been to the Arnold 2 years in a row and I always see the same thing…

Guys that work out in the gym get all pumped and walk around in the Expo with their shirts off, or a shirt that’s too small.

In their minds, they’re thinking they are swole and large as life - until that one of two crippling moments for the ego happens:

1. You walk past a pro bodybuilder with his shirt off and you feel belittled.
2. You walk past a woman whose arms are bigger than yours.

And for the ladies, don’t be wearing those small tshirts with a pudge in the front thinking you are looking in shape, ’cause there will be pro models and pro figure women there as well!

Post by: luvspellcpl

What should I wear? What do I bring? Where is everyone going to be? Where are my favorite athletes?

These are by far the most popular questions I get everyday from anxious fans, friends and fitness enthusiasts. So on that note I thought I would write a quick tip list for you all, especially for the Arnold 1st timers:.

Tips: PLAN PLAN PLAN!

Pre Plan your expo days

I don’t think you realize how hectic the Arnold really is! If you think you are just going to “meet up with people, think again! It is sooo packed, good luck just trying to find the people you are going with. Make sure you schedule “lost points if you loose your friends, especially for Saturday where the true circus is. Have cell phones and numbers readily available.
Whatever you do, give yourself  extra time to do everything, including getting there. Taxis are hard to come by so expect to be waiting this time around.

Find your favorite celebrities and icons ahead of time.  If you want to see your favorites athletes, icons or a certain booth ahead of time.

Do your research before you get to the expo. Find out what booth your favorite icons  will be at and find out where that booth may be. It will save you a lot of time. Bring your favorite pictures or magazine appearances with you so they can sign them personally.

What to wear?

Okay ladies, I think this was your number 1 question. Yes you all want to look hot, men and women, but the key is COMFORT!!! Trust me when I say, you say “oh, as long as I look good:but you will suffer and be miserable!

Ladies, bring comfortable shoes. You will be walking all day. Yes you want to wear high heels to look “fly by also bring an alternative pair of shoes to switch to. Trust me when I say you will be fatigued and dying with blisters if you don’t take my advice.

Ladies again. Wear anything you want. Yes it’s a fit expo:whether you want to go sporty, or a bit sporty dressy (which is what I like to wear personally), just make sure you are comfortable and present yourself in a respectable way. Remember you are meeting people you have been dying to meet for the longest time so they image you want to present of yourself should be clean and respectful.

In other words, don’t be “hutchie mamma looking. You never know who you may run into, what celebrities, what magazine editors, promoters etc. Have respect for your presentation. Same for the men. Men:where a shirt please! The most looked down upon thing is thinking you are at the beach and have no shirt on. Cheese!

What to bring?

Here are some quick things for your checklist for your long day:

If you are a competitor or in the industry, bring business cards or sample images.

- Money:  lots to purchase and lots to buy, tickets, food, clothing, autographed pics, tickets etc.

- Food: bring shakes, chicken or good protein sources if you want to eat healthy. There isn’t much to eat there other then all the freebees such as bars, shakes etc and one eating venue…

- Camera: a definite! You will be taking pictures everywhere and like I said you never know who you will run into! Stallone, the Wayan brothers… other celebs:  Video is fine too!

- Extra bags/luggage:  there are so many give always and items for purchase you will be bombarded with a million things to carry if you don’t bring a bag to put everything. And, extra luggage space for the trip home without your luggage being overweight at the airport.

- Bring directions to and from the venues, hotels either through Mapquest or your navigation system.

- Warm travel clothes:   Columbus is freezing this time of year: waiting outside for a taxi in club wear isn’t friendly. Bring your coats!

Hope this helps and be sure to catch me on the Friday night Ladies Webcast with Bob Cicherillo, or at the Bodybuilding.com booth on Saturday March 3rd! I will be selling my autographed pictures and taking candids.

Miss Nancy

Post by: NancyD4hn

I just have a few thoughts that I wanted to share with everyone attending this year.  As I mentioned before last year was my first time attending.  I went in not really knowing what to expect.  One thing that I really never thought about was how great of an opportunity it is to learn from the pros.  There are pros literally everywhere at the Expo.  There are usually long lines to meet them but if you approach them at the right time they are usually more than willing to share a few tips and shoot the breeze with you.

For example, I was in line over at the MuscleTech booth waiting to meet Jay.  They had a bunch of booths set up with bros leading up to Jay.  While waiting in line I struck up a conversation with Branch Warren. He was very approachable and more than willing to share some tips.  We talked about how he got started in bodybuilding and what keeps him going.  We also spoke about his training sessions with Johnnie Jackson. It was a very cool experience.  So just remember, when you have a chance to learn, take it, these guys are pros for a reason and I have learned that if you are polite they are more than willing to help you out.  

Chitown72

Post by: ChiTown72

A few quick tips I offered up to a GETBIG.com board member when asked about attending the Arnold Expo for the first time…

Saturday you can barely move in the EXPO. Late in the day, Sunday most of the people are exhausted and not as bubbly as on Friday. The best time to go is Friday but a number of the other stars make an appearance on Saturday. Year’s past - Wesley Snipes, Arnold and his 15 body guards, Sly Stallone, Shannon Sharpe and many others.
• Pack an empty gym bag in your checked luggage. You’ll end up getting so many samples at the expo that you’ll easily fill it and check it on the way home.
• Wear comfortable shoes and don’t wear a coat. There are so many people in there that you’ll be sweating your arse off and you’ll be on your feet all day. If you’re bringing a camera bring a small so it doesn’t bog you down and you’ll be able to capture the memories.
• You’ll see all walks of life at the expo, in the bodybuilder form. Geeks, White Trash, little people, Goth, Rednecks, Ganstahs, Posers,you name it - you’ll see it there. It’s some of the best people watching on earth.

When I made my first trip the Arnold Classic last year I was not sure what to expect. I had never been to a real bodybuilding and fitness competition or an expo of this size. Well you could say I was not disappointed. I can honestly say that there is something during this weekend in Columbus for everyone.

Check out this video to get a better idea of what you can expect at the Expo: 2006 Arnold Classic Video Coverage.

With events ranging from fencing to ballroom dancing, cheerleader exhibitions to wrestling, you simply can’t go wrong. And if you wanted to get all the freebies you might have to make a couple of trips because there were so many booths.

Of course for the guys, you really couldn’t go wrong. With hundreds of girls struttin’ their stuff around the expo it was hard not to have a good time - I got to meet’em all.

Here is what I wrote last year:
www.bodybuilding.com/fun/2006arnold_review.htm

Other Photos From The 2006 Arnold Classic Weekend:
www.bodybuilding.com/fun/2006arnoldpics.htm