Tiger Toning

Optimize your reading potential, and your workouts. Photo by Angela Gzowski

“I always see these ads for fitness expos. What’s the deal? Are they just a vehicle for money-sucking faux fitness gimmicks or are they actually worth a visit?” –Skeptical Health Nut

I decided to pay a visit this past weekend to the Optimyz Live Expo at Exhibition Park. It’s the fourth year for the convention, which was part of a once-regional Nova Scotia startup magazine that has now gone national, Optimyz.

Fitness conventions can be positive or negative experiences depending on the gimmick-to-reality ratio found on the convention floor. Every event like this has some inevitable gimmicks, but, luckily, many of these conventions are organized by people and organizations  passionate about fitness and the health of our population, and they will ensure the quality of exhibitors is high. The Optimyz Expo was no exception.

I took a good tour of the show during my trip and was actually quite impressed by some of the displays of both new and existing products and services. I was also happy to see many health-based charities set up booths about their respective events and causes.

I can’t recount the entire expo in this column, but I would like to share a few highlights that jumped out at me. In the spirit of awards season, I will present accolades to a few standout displays:

Most Innovative Product: FitDeck Exercise Playing Cards

I’m a bit biased here because in the past I have personally—and with clients—used regular playing cards in creating workouts. This venture takes that concept to a whole new level with so many decks for so many different purposes.

Essentially, FitDecks allow you to craft a completely random workout toward a specific goal. The best part is, you don’t need any equipment. (Although there are some decks you can get for specific equipment.) So, for example, you could grab the FitDeck Yoga cards or the FitDeck Bodyweight pack and shuffle them up for a new and challenging workout each time. I will be getting myself a few of these decks. Check them out online at fitdeck.com

Coolest Health-Related Charity Event: RBC Amazing Challenge for AIDS

There are some great upcoming charities on display including Bust-A-Move and the Bluenose Marathon, among others. The Amazing Challenge race is one event I have heard only a bit about in the past, but having the opportunity to ask a bit more about it at the expo, I was hooked.

It’s a bit of an *Amazing Race*-type event that has participants getting around the city, completing challenges and competing to come out on the winning end.

Charities such as these are a great way to set some fitness goals and have an actual target to work towards. Races like the Bluenose are a bit more measurable, but this event is a lot of fun and there’s great motivation to get active and train.

Coolest Local Health-Related Business: Aerobics First

I love this store. Again, I’m probably biased because I have shopped there in the past. However, they definitely brought their quality service to Optimyz Live and are very deserving of a shout-out.

If you are new to the fitness world or are experienced and looking for some gear better suited to your needs, this store is the place to go. Their staff is well-trained and help ensure you get exactly what you need to accomplish your fitness goals. Be it properly-sized shoes or other fitness-related equipment suited to what you need, this is the place to go.

Their display at Optimyz was basically a smaller version of their store, and they’re local! It’s great service, and you feel good about shopping there.

Send your fitness-realted questions to Sports@DalGazette.com