After centuries of courting Art and Culture, Florence finds space for a new admirer. During five full days at the end of May, Fitness will become the city’s newest protagonist, as participants from all over Italy and the world come to celebrate their passion for sports and healthy lifestyles. For the first time ever, the Festival of Fitness will move from its traditional host town of Rimini to celebrate its 18th anniversary in Florence. Wednesday, May 24 to Sunday, May 28, the city’s ancient fortress will become the reference point for the international fitness community as the 72,000 square metre Fortezza da Basso becomes the largest ‘fitness arena’ in the world. The annual event was created to promote an innovative concept of fitness that represents more than traditional goals of burning calories or increasing muscular definition and flexibility. In an event that stresses fun and interaction as well as physical fitness, participants can find the latest information and news concerning sports, sports tourism, food and health-related topics. Organizers decided to move the festival to Florence in hopes of introducing the element of culture to the festival. ‘It was a key element that has been missing,’ says Gabriele Brustenghi, festival creator and organizer. ‘With this formula of culture and fitness, the festival proposes and represents a modern lifestyle that combines sports with intellectual enrichment, fun and the desire to travel.’
The total financial investment for last year’s festival, both from the organization itself and from sponsoring companies, was 16 million euro. This international ‘sports rite’ costs 20 euro for one day and 25 euro for all five days. Residents, tourists and the entire international fitness community will be invited to accompany expert instructors for running or speed walking from the 500-year-old fortress to monuments and museums around Florence. The festival also includes a huge treasure hunt, during which athletes will partake in different sports and cultural activities. One of the most intriguing festival events is the ‘attack’ on the fortezza simulated daily at the entrance and exit. Participants will have the task of climbing the fortezza’s imposing walls via the prearranged cords, set up safely in the style of five centuries ago. Whoever ‘conquers’ the fortezza first will receive free entrance into the festival.
The Festival of Fitness will also host the long-awaited Italian Aerobics Championship finals. Teams of men and women of all ages from three different aerobics disciplines, and all members of the 2006 Italian Gymnastics Federation, will participate. From aerobic choreography to step movement to the rhythmic moves of hip-hop, participants can choose from a packed calendar of sports-related events. There’s a TBasket Playground, a Technogym Cardio Wave Convention, and Cruisin Hip Hop Contest. Participants can take advantage of the Rowing Stage, benefit from Progressive Power Yoga, partake in the Oriental Dance Gala, or make use of the Pilates 360° Stage. There’s the Fitness Duathlon, a ‘Martial Arts Planet’, a Golf Show, and an OKA Fitness/ Racing Wheels event. For the complete program and more information visit www.fitfestival.com.
