By Rich Henrich
Now in it’s fourth year, the massive multi-sport fitness expo, known as the FLEXPO, a 130k square foot fitness and entertainment extravaganza returns to the Coachella Valley, November 17-20th at the Palm Springs Convention Center and Agua Caliente Resort. This year’s Ferrigno Legacy, produced by managing partner Christopher Minnes, Lou Ferrigno, Lou Ferrigno Jr. and the Ferrigno Family, welcomes a diverse array of fitness celebrities, including a personal meet and greet with the legend himself, Lou Ferrigno. Other bodybuilding legends include Tom Platz, 4x Ms. Fitness Olympia, Oksana Grishina, the first Classic Physique Mr. Olympia, Danny Hester and Men’s Physique Mr. Olympia, Mark Anthony. The expo will also celebrate social media stars like Lexy Pantarra, the Queen of Twerk, Brad Castleberry and Tianna Gregory to compliment the expanded format for this year’s show, organized around themed “neighborhoods.”
“Bodybuilding saved my life because I overcame a difficult stage. I got picked on for the way I talked and called a deaf mute and other names. I was small, thin and afraid to fight back. I was fascinated with power, and then I decided to take that direction (bodybuilding at age 13) because I knew that it would make me feel good about myself,” says the former Mr. Universe. An avid fitness advocate, Mr. Ferrigno and his family have developed a www.FerrignoFIT.com, a website with a mission to improve lives through health and fitness. Ferrigno FIT is a lifestyle brand that celebrates positive, healthy living. “We combine behavioral science, education, and entertainment with the fundamentals of health & fitness to build personalized transformation programs aimed at helping individuals achieve their fitness goals,” says the fitness guru.
This year, the event expands its format into a true sports expo including over 500 athletes in a fun, entertaining and family friendly environment. “This is a real class act event, the best show in the West, with great judges and no politics,” states actor, entrepreneur and California Reserve Deputy Sheriff Ferrrigno. “It’s a great event and Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley are wonderful places to relax and be with family and friends,” he adds. One unique duty he will perform this weekend is presiding over a wedding. Yes, The Hulk, also an ordained minister, can marry you. It’s probably best to keep those vows, too! Fans will have opportunities to interact with Lou at a free coffee Q&A and a formal Meet & Greet event.
Ferrigno Legacy anticipates over 10,000 attendees for the expo and competition and will offer the first 500 seats free for all military on Saturday, November 18th. “It’s really important for us to support our country’s military for all the work they do for us. We would love to see them join us for this great event,” beams Mr. Ferrigno. He says this year will have more of a focus on fitness and self-education on the positive impacts a healthy lifestyle can have on all ages. A couple themes that reach a broader audience include Food Technology and Anti-Aging. The event adds unique events with the addition of Pole Dancing fitness and a slackline National Championship. When asked what advice he has for people struggling with their fitness goals, the legend says “Rome wasn’t built in a day. Be patient, be consistent and connect the mind and the body for complete success and come to the Ferrigno Legacy event and learn from all the experts.” For more details, go to www.ferrignolegacy.com and www.FerrignoFIT.com.
FERRIGNO LEGACY 2017 EXPO SCHEDULE HIGHLIGHTS
(Full details and complete schedule available at www.FerrignoLegacy.com)
Friday, November 17, 2017
3-4 PM IFBB Check Ins with Lou Ferrigno – Athletes and VIP Ticket Holders Only (IFBB Group Photo in Built track suits at 3:55PM)
3-5 PM IFBB Pro Bodybuilder Press Conference – Open to Public
Saturday, November 18, 2017
9:30 AM
Expo Opens for VIP, Competitors & Premier Tickets
FLEXPO – Palm Springs Convention Center
9:30 AM
BoxLife SoCal Throwdown
BoxLife CrossFit Arena
9:30 AM
USAPL Meet
Power Stage
10:00 AM
Doors for General Admission
FLEXPO – Palm Springs Convention Center
10:30 – 11:30 AM
Coffee with Lou with Special Guest Rich Gaspari
Seminar Stage
11:00 AM
ASP – Slackline National Championships
Slackline
11:30 AM
Lexy Panterra – Twerkout Dance Class
Seminar Stage
12:00 PM
Oksana Grishina Pole Fitness Classic
Fitness Fashion Stage
1:15 PM
Figure Posing with IFBB Olympian Bojana Vasiljevic
Seminar Stage
1:00 – 5:00 PM
IFBB Pre-Judging
Bodybuilding Stage
2:00 PM
Halo Neuroscience
Seminar Stage
3:00 PM
Equinox Job Fair
Seminar Stage
3:30 PM
Bang & VPX Fashion Show
Fitness Fashion Stage
4:00 PM
Kim & Angie get married by LOU!
Seminar Stage
5:00 PM
EXPO ENDS
6:30 PM
Doors Open & Red Carpet – View confirmed the celebrities.
Agua Caliente Resort – Rancho Mirage
7:30 PM
IFBB Finals with over 150 IFBB Pros and an original guest performance by Ms. Fitness Olympia, Oksana Grishina
Agua Caliente Resort – Rancho Mirage
Sunday, November 19, 2017
8:30 AM
VIP & Premier Ticket Entry
FLEXPO – Palm Springs Convention Center
9:00 AM
Doors Open to EXPO
FLEXPO – Palm Springs Convention Center
9:30 AM
NPC Pre-Judging – All Classes
Bodybuilding Stage
9:30 AM
Group Fitness Class with World Gym Palm Desert
Seminar Stage
9:30 AM
Men’s Physique Posing with IFBB Olympian & former Ferrigno Legacy Champ James Hurst
Power Stage
10:00 AM
Bikini Posing with IFBB Olympian’s Tamara Haddad & former Ferrigno Legacy Champ Sabrina Martinez
Seminar Stage
10:30 AM
Lexy Panterra – Twerkout Workout
BoxLife Arena
11:00 AM
Beyond the Myth with Tom Platz & Sergio Jr
Power Stage
11:30 AM
Master Dance Class with Ms. Fitness Olympia Oksana Grishina
Fitness Fashion Stage
11:30 AM
Halo Neuroscience
Seminar Stage
12:00 PM
Bodybuilding & Classic Physique Posing Seminar with Mr. Olympia, Danny Hester
Power Stage
12:30 PM
Interactive Cyr Wheel Demonstration with guru Sam Tribble
Fitness Fashion Stage
12:30 PM
Group Fitness with EOS Palm Springs
Seminar Stage
1:00 PM
ASP – Slackline National Championships
Slackline
1:00 – 3:00 PM
Snatch Clinic with Anthony Pomponio – Open to all
BoxLife Arena
1:00 PM
KC Mitchell “That 1 Leg Monster” World Record Deadlift Attempt introduced by Lou!
Power Stage
1:30 PM
Understanding Hormones with Dr. Carr
Seminar Stage
2:00 PM
Fitness Fashion Show with host Lauren Abraham
Fitness Fashion Stage
2:30 PM
P-Knot myofascial tissue release and trigger point therapy
Seminar Stage
3:00 PM
Equinox Job Fair
Seminar Stage
4:00 PM
EXPO ENDS
4:30 PM
NPC Doors Open
Agua Caliente Resort – Rancho Mirage
5:00 PM
NPC Finals begin
Agua Caliente Resort – Rancho Mirage
