Schwarzenegger’s Fitness Event Marks Another Annual Success

The 2018 Arnold Sports Festival has entered into the history books. The annual event takes place in Columbus, OH and draws thousands of fitness fans and professionals from all over the world. Among the intriguing outcomes of the event was actor Hafthor Bjornsson winning the weekend’s strongman competition. Hafthor Bjornsson is, of course, one of the actors who played “The Mountain” on HBO’s Game of Thrones.

The newest event adds one more positive item on the ever-growing resume of Arnold Schwarzenegger. Schwarzenegger remains best known for his acting career and forays into politics, but everything started for the man during the 1960’s when he entered the world of bodybuilding. While Jack LaLane and others played a large role in promoting the fitness industry, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s ability to draw mainstream attention to professional bodybuilding contributed greatly to the growth of gyms in the 1970’s. After starring in Conan the Barbarian in 1982, “The Austrian Oak” played a major role in the explosion of the fitness industry in the 1980’s.

Even though he left bodybuilding to go to Hollywood, Schwarzenegger never gave up on promoting health, fitness, and weightlifting. The establishment of the yearly “Arnold Classic” created a high-profile bodybuilding event that rivaled the Mr. Olympia competition. Over the years, the savvy Schwarzenegger understood that bodybuilding reflected only one part of the fitness world. As the years progressed, the event started to feature martial artists, powerlifters, fitness models, and more. This is why the name has been changed to the “Arnold Sports Festival.”

The event draws attention to charismatic and successful professionals in the fitness worlds. In some cases, lesser-known persons may become breakout stars. By building up these professionals, the industry can grow since it is so personality focused. Successful people who reflect the best the fitness world has to offer draw attention to the industry. They also draw customers, too.

Without the Schwarzenegger name, such an event wouldn’t draw anywhere near the necessary crowd to be a success. The show wouldn’t draw the massive media attention it receives either. Consider it a fair statement to say that Schwarzenegger continues to give back to the industry that launched his initial fame.