The first Body Power Expo was held at the NEC, Birmingham, UK on 9-10th May 2009. An event like this was long overdue in the UK, and it didn't let us down. Over the weekend a phenomenal 8,216 visitors attended, with over 60 exhibitors. I was involved in the organisation of the event from the outset and I was always confident we could bring it together.
Bodybuilding
The UKBFF ran the bodybuilding shows, Men's was on the Saturday and Ladies Bodyfitness on the Sunday. There was a reasonable turnout for the men's, which included the Misters weight classes and the Classic class, but a disappointing two competitors for the ladies.
Guest posers included British Heavyweight champ and MuscleTalk sponsored athlete Daz Ball, who was in his best shape ever, bigger than 2007 and more ripped than 2008 at 256lbs. Daz did MT proud and provoked as much attention as anyone else with his photo shoots and signings on the MT stand.
MT also presented Carly Thornton. Carly is sponsored by Boditronics but we were able to pinch her for her guest spot and a photo shoot with Daz on our stand. Carly was looking beautiful and in great shape in preparations for the IFBB Worlds 3 weeks later.
Nicole Pitcher-Scott sponsored by Met-Rx pro-figure champion put on a great display.
Kai Greene was the main attraction, who was called in from America by Dorian Yates just three days before, after Dennis Wolf had to cancel due to an accident and Victor Martinez couldn't get his visa sorted. I was lucky enough to chat to Kai a few times and he really is a great guy and a credit to bodybuilding. His condition wasn't great, but he didn't have time to prepare, saying that though, he is massive and his stage performance was outstanding on both days.
Also appearing, though not posing, were Phil Heath and Flex Lewis. Again, both are great guys and have an intelligent approach to their bodybuilding. I hosted one of Phil's seminars which we did with Daz and my fellow nutrition expert, Drew Price.
Daz Ball
Carly Thornton
Daz and Carly guest posing
Strongman
Although I didn't really see any of this myself, feedback was very good and the events were very entertaining. Some of the countries best competed in an array of events. One of the main attractions for Body Power was the appearance of 5 times World's Strongest Man, Mariusz Pudzianowski, who came on the Sunday for a guest appearance. He certainly was a crowd puller.
Bench Press
Sunday held the bench press championships by the British Powerlifting Congress which had some records broken. This was in the workout zone and some big lifts were viewed by an audience who aren't used to watching this sort of thing.
Olympic lifting
Again, I didn't get to see this, but feedback was really good. Apart from one accident where a lifter broke his knee and the ambulance was far too long arriving.
MMA and Martial Arts
There was a ring and some mats where fights and demonstrations were held, and there was always a lot going on. Guests included top champion Dan Hardy.
Other Events
Stands had their own events with lifting competitions and sponsored athletes. Xbox 360 launched their new fighting game at Body Power which was an enjoyable attraction.
The seminar room had a number of seminars by nutritionists, supplement companies and stars. Drew Price (nutritionist and strength trainer) and I held four nutrition and training seminars over the weekend and the response was really good. The last was with Daz Ball and Phil Heath.
MuscleTalk
MT was the official web partner for Body Power, and we had a large and exciting stand near the main stage. On it we had our own stage for entertainment all through the weekend. This included guest shoots with Daz Ball and Carly Thornton, Flex Pex posing demos and dancers, a bench press competition, caricature artist Patch, bodyfat testing, nutritional advice, T shirts and more. The weigh-in for the UKBFF shows were also held on our stand.
MuscleTalk and Flex Pex also had a pimped up VW Beetle playing training DVDs and music which certainly pulled some attention. The MT stand had great feedback and was a great point of meet for our members.
The MuscleTalk – Flex Pex Beetle
Daz on the MT stand
Flex Pex at MT
Daz Ball signing photos
Bench Press with MT's Big Les
Daz & Carly have their pics with members of the public
James and Bill Tierney of the UKBFF at MT
Big Lodge with Ann Gardner
Body Power '09 was a huge success and will certainly help push the bodybuilding, strength and fitness industry forward and all companies involved have given highly positive feedback. A huge 'well done' to Matt Bevan and the Pioneer team for what they pulled together and thanks for asking me to help out. Body Power '10 will be in May 2010 and is sure to be even better than this year's with more events, more exhibitors and more spectators.
Stuart Core at Extreme Nutrition
Newlyweds Tania Ridley George and IFBB Pro Paul George
Phil Heath, Daz Ball and videoman Eric Guy
Kai Greene, UKBFF boss Bill Tierney and Daz Ball
Kai and Daz
Daz Ball chatting with Kai Greene on the MT stand