Thousands of people will head to Columbus, Ohio next week for the 2011 Arnold Sports Festival and we have all your Hardbody needs covered. Who better to cover Columbus than a resident hardbody? IFBB Figure Pro Stephanie Billings has assembled a great guide to getting around Columbus. Check it out!
By Stephanie Billings, IFBB Figure Pro
The 2011 Arnold Classic is fast approaching. For some, it will be a first time experience, while for others it will be another opportunity to create memories associated with the long standing event. Whether you are a spectator, booth worker or competitor, hopefully this information will be of some help during the hectic, fun filled weekend. It’s hard to lead a healthy, competition lifestyle far from home, but Columbus is a city that is “Commit to be Fit†and promotes overall health and well being. After living here as a competitor, just minutes from the convention center, I have the inside scoop of where to go for food, (both contest and cheat meals) gyms, tanning, supplements and last minute photo shoot outfits.
FOOD
There are amazing places to eat within walking distance from the convention center, and also places that deliver if you are unable to get away from the event. For breakfast, I highly recommend First Watch, located at 496 South High Street, just 2-3 min drive south of the convention center. They have a healthy options menu, and will also make special accommodations. They only serve breakfast and brunch. http://www.firstwatch.com/index.htm
Next door to the convention center is Mo Joe Lounge and they also serve breakfast, as well as lunch and dinner. They will accommodate, but have fewer healthy options, and their menu is a bit limited. The restaurant is attached to Cup O Joe, a local coffee shop true to Columbus and for all of those Starbucks connoisseurs, you will not be disappointed! They know how to brew a fabulous “Cup O Joeâ€!!!
North from the Convention Center is North Star Café, 951 North High Street, one of my most favorite places to eat, but not necessarily for a competitor during contest season. All of their food is organic, locally grown and they have gluten and dairy free options. They also have vegan and vegetarian dishes. There philosophy is expressed in ever menu option, and they serve all meals, but primarily breakfast and lunch.
Directly across from the center is the North Market (http://www.northmarket.com), a little hidden but only a block away. Everything within the market is fresh and locally produced. They have food options to go, as well as grocery items to purchase. They have the best fresh seafood, chicken and beef in town if you have the ability to cook within your hotel room. They also have fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables. You will also find a to-go sushi bar with pre-made items and the option to order.
Speaking of sushi, there are very few competitors I know that do not love it (I know they exist, but do not see how)!! Fortunately, the best sushi restaurants are nearby. Across the street is Sushi Rock, a trendy, modern, upscale restaurant that serves primarily sushi but offers a hot menu with plenty of healthful options. There prices are moderate to high, but there sushi is amazing. The downside, they are only open for dinner.
Half a block away is Lemon Grass Fusion Bistro. They have a more limited sushi menu, but have never once disappointed. The restaurant is more laid back, thai inspired and if you go there make sure to order their Lemongrass Soup, (without noodles).
Haiku is a few blocks down the street (800 North High Street) and personally my favorite. They have an extensive menu, great atmosphere and are reasonably priced.
Nida’s Thai on High (976 North High) is a newer restaurant with a sushi menu as well. I have eaten there once, but I will surely go back in the future! Lemongrass, Haiku and Nida’s are open for lunch and dinner and are more casual.
A couple of places in the area that deliver are Shane’s Gourmet Market, they will deliver but have a $75 minimum and Katzingers, true to Columbus only. They will also deliver with a $40 minimum. As a dieting competitor the only thing you could eat are their salads (if you are contest prep) and they are willing to make accommodations. Again, all of their ingredients are fresh, and not processed. When you order grilled chicken, you get real grilled chicken. Personally recommend the Artichoke Grilled Chicken Salad without cheese or bread. Friends or others who you are with that are not dieting will love this place! If you happen to go there, they have samples of fresh made breads and imported cheeses, so beware! They are also famous for their pickles, so make sure to stop by the barrel before you go!
The best place to find other places to eat is http://www.dineoriginalscolumbus.com. Most restaurants are downtown in the Short North (by the Convention Center), Downtown, German Village or Grandview. All are only minutes from all Arnold Events. You almost cannot go wrong with any restaurant listed on this site.
For after show dining or cheat meals, Barcelona is my number one recommendation. Located in German Village, by Shiller Park, it is a meal you will not forget. Spanish inspired, with a simple menu, but very complex dishes. The ambiance is extraordinary. Always great service and an extensive martini menu and wine selection.
Other quick mentions, Lindey’s in German Village, Due Amici located Downtown and the Rossi located in the Short North.
The main grocery store nearby is the Kroger Shopping Market, located on Front Street, south of the Convention Center. This grocery store is very large, and should have everything you would possibly need. During the day they have a hot food and a sushi bar.
GYMS
While in Columbus, I am sure most will need to get their workout on! Most hotel gyms do not cut it for competitors and during this weekend, they are sure to be busy and packed with everyone trying to fight for a treadmill.
Lifestyle Family Fitness is my gym and where I spend most of my time!!! They are located at 21 East State Street in the Fifth Third Bank building right across from the State House. There location is minutes from the Convention Center and all hotels downtown. There is street parking and also a garage that charges $2 per hour when you get your voucher stamped in the gym. This gym has everything you could possibly need! They have an exceptional plyometric room with kettle bells and jumping blocks as well as plenty of room to do other plyo exercises. They also have a large studio that is open to everyone to use when classes are not in session. For other cardio work, they have treadmills, bikes, cybex trainers, stair masters, stepmills and rowing machines. The gym has free weights, and plenty of machines, benches, cables and squat racks. The area is well maintained and very clean and not overwhelmingly busy. If you mention reading this article on Hardbody, they will offer you a $5 day pass (normally $12).
Metro Fitness located on Long Street has been the well known gym to attend while at the Arnold. It is a true bodybuilding gym but does not offer the extensive amount of cardiovascular training and other equipment for figure, fitness and bikini competitors.
Urban Active in Grandview is about a five-ten minute drive and just opened a few months ago. They gym is nice and brand new! They have an indoor running tack as well and lap pool. There day passes are a bit more expensive if you do not already have an active membership.
TANNING
For those reading living in Florida or California… or any other with fabulous weather year round, you may find this section unnecessary or comical but for those living in the Midwest, you empathize with me!
Polo Tan, located at 585 S Front St, about a 3-5 minute drive from the Convention Center (also right by the Kroger Shopping Center) is the only place I recommend to go! There staff is exceptional and their beds are well maintained and clean. The best part is, if you mention this article, they will give you 20% off on tanning and lotions. They have 4 levels of tanning to include high pressure deep bronzing beds and 10 minute mega beds with face and shoulder tanners. They also provide airbrush tanning by Infinity Sun Custom Airbrush, which is by appointment only. If you are working a booth or doing a photo shoot, they can easily adjust your level of color and the service is top notch! If you need to make an appointment, you can call the salon at 614-628-0068.
They are open Mon-Thurs 10am – 9pm, Fri 10am – 8pm, Sat 9am – 6pm and Sun 11am – 5pm.
SUPPLEMENT STORES
Grandview Nutrition, 994 W 5th Avenue, is a locally owned supplement store and where I buy all of my supplements. They will price match anything online, and if you are going there for a particular item that you cannot get at the expo, call ahead and see if they have it in stock, 614-291-5590. If they do not have it, they can direct you where to go. There staff is very knowledgeable and very courteous.
PHOTO SHOOT CLOTHING
Last but not least, if you need any last minute photo shoot clothing, the best place to go for sexy items is The Garden (thegardencolumbus.net) located north of the Convention Center on High Street. They have lingerie, costumes and a variety of high heels and boots. If you are coming from the Convention Center, it is on the right, and you cannot miss the window display! There are a variety of other places to shop on High Street in the Short North, but for those items in particular, it is the best place to go.
Hopefully this information will make your trip to the Arnold Classic a little easier and more enjoyable. If there is something I missed or if you have other questions, please feel free to message me on Facebook at IFBB Pro Stephanie Billings.
photo via Stephanie’s Facebook page.
