photo credit: Ethan Wilkoff
The Arnold is one of the biggest sports festivals that showcases bodybuilding in the world, and it takes place in Columbus, Ohio. It is an annual festival that is typically held the first weekend of March with many different types of events.
“My favorite part about the Arnold is having fun and being around a like-minded community,” senior Lance Jenkins said.
Jenkins regularly attends the Arnold and has a Youtube channel where he posts lifting related content (@Lance_Jenkins). The Arnold also offers opportunities for attendees to see and meet different body builders who are being showcased.
“Ronnie Coleman was my favorite person I saw. His genetics and sacrifice he had is something I look up to immensely. Arnold is also on top as he revolutionized the space of body building. He got the publicity it deserves and was a pioneer in the field,” Jenkins said.
While the Arnold is one of the most popular sports festivals in the world, that can come with issues.
“The only thing that’s really ever been a problem is the overcrowding, as the convention center only has so much room, and it is such a big event,” senior Maddie Barton said.
Barton consistently trains and exercises and is in charge of the Girls Powerlifting Club at Olentangy High School.
“A big part of the Arnold is getting to converse with others, whether they are influencers or not, with a lot of experience and advice. It’s really awesome getting to meet with people who you always see on screens and learning from them about how to reach your goals and navigate obstacles,” Barton said.
The Arnold is named after Arnold Schwarzenegger, who regularly attends the expo each year.
“It was really amazing to see the legend himself, especially at a convention named in honor of him,” Barton said.
There is a list of special guests who attended the Arnold this year, some being Chris Bumstead, Ronnie Coleman and Jay Cutler, but one that stands out is Sam Sulek.
Sulek is a Youtube personality that is based out of Delaware, Ohio who is known by many across the country. He gained his popularity in 2023 and has since gained four million subscribers on Youtube.
The Arnold is home to different types of unique events, such as lifting events and dancing events. Mike Sommerfeld placed first in the Physique Final and Rajesh John placed first in the Pro Wheelchair.
“My favorite is the strongmen or knight stuff. It’s insane seeing people leg press a car and also brawling in medieval gear,” Jenkins said.
The Arnold is a good place to see people show off their strength and compete against each other, but it’s also a good space to learn.
“Ask anyone at the Arnold, and they’d be happy to give you lessons and advice. Everyone is super friendly and educated. A good community is everything. Without it, you’ll never reach your full potential and goals,” Jenkins said.
The Arnold is good for people who are just getting started in the gym, but if they haven’t been before, they need to be prepared.
“The Arnold is extremely overwhelming, especially for first timers. A lot of times it’s hard to move around and hear because of the insane amount of people who attend every year,” Barton said.
The Arnold is a widely known celebration of strength, fitness and being part of a good community that has been enjoyed by many for years and will continue for years to come.
“A good community can help you achieve everything, encourage and uplift you and the Arnold is a great place to meet new people,” Jenkins said.
