BodyBuilding 101

At the end of January, the Ironman Pro body building competition will be held at the Los Angeles Fitness Center. A complete fitness competition, the Ironman features traditional weight lifting and body sculpting as well as dance fitness and strongman competitions.

Sponsored by leading fitness and nutrition companies, the competition is among the most anticipated in the sport. Fully sanctioned by the IFBB, the contest has over a 20 year history, and has helped kick off the bodybuilding season for decades. 2008 Winner Phil Heath went on to have a stellar year and is now among the top athletes in his division, while previous winners, including Shawn Ray, become legends within the field.

With capacity for nearly 20,000 attendees, the competition will include a complete set of competitive events, including Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fights, as well as a Gladiator Challenge and several martial arts competitions. A media expo will also allow vendors to showcase the latest innovations in sports nutrition, as well as related fitness products. Tickets to the competition are available through the Los Angeles Expo and run $20 for a complete weekend pass, which increased the Iron Man Pro XX on Saturday evening as well as cage fighting MMA contests on Sunday.