Hundreds of fitness enthusiasts attended the 2013 Health and Fitness Expo at Graves Fitness Center Jan. 17 to learn about Fort Belvoir's wide range of exercise programs, participate in aerobics workouts with certified instructors and visit with several workout program and equipment vendors from the local area.

The event, sponsored by the Fort Belvoir Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Sports and Fitness, aimed to promote healthy physical activity and proper nutritional habits to everyone who lives, works and plays on the installation.

"This is intended to bring together a lot of fitness sources to celebrate health," said Debra Taylor, Fort Belvoir DFMWR marketing director. "Everybody is trying to get healthy in January so we thought this would be a good time to help people push to do that."

Many of Fort Belvoir's directorates and agencies were represented at the Expo among some 20 booths to help spread the word regarding the benefits of exercise.

"We have a lot of vendors here offering free assessments and samples and, of course, we have our regulars here, too. We want to bring out information because it's not just about physical fitness but mental fitness as well, like relieving worry," Taylor said. "We even have a sponsor in one of the racquetball courts giving massages."

"The vendors here tell visitors about their programs -- not only for cardio fitness but machine-based exercise, too," added Yong Yu, Fort Belvoir recreation specialist.

According to Yu, the Expo drew a large turnout in just the first two hours of the show.

"We opened at 10 a.m. and between then and noon we've had almost 170 come in -- and there will probably be more during lunchtime," he said.

One of the primary goals of the Health and Fitness Expo was to not only introduce Fort Belvoir's own fitness programs to health enthusiasts new to the post but also to provide tips about how regular exercise habits can be enthusiastically maintained over the long run for maximum benefit.

"This event is put on to showcase the offerings on post just to kick off the New Year and to keep people goal-oriented in order to help them achieve what they want to achieve and help them to stick to that New Year's resolution. We have a total of 31 vendors helping us with that today," said Mica Koefod, Fort Belvoir fitness specialist. "We used to do this in the summer but we decided to move it to coincide with the New Year; that's usually the time people get 'back on the horse' after the holiday season."

Attendees spent the four-hour show speaking with

representatives of on-post fitness organizations as well as several workout companies which operate beyond the gates. Fort Belvoir's Army Community Services, Fort Belvoir Community Hospital, Veterinary Center and Credit Union shared the floor with Metro Run and Walk, Core Wellness and Physical Therapy, and many others to offer information and advice. Red Cross certified health professionals provided free blood pressure, cholesterol and Body Mass Index screenings, and certified aerobics instructors invited guests to participate in short workouts on stationary bikes and on the mat.

Visitors said they found the Expo both informative and entertaining throughout its duration.

"This is my first time coming to the Belvoir Fitness Expo and I didn't exactly know what is was going to be like -- but I'm glad I came," said Cheyenne Rutherford, a stay-at-home mom who balances her time caring for her two children, with whom she attended the Expo, and being involved with the Belvoir Enlisted Spouses Club. "I had my blood pressure and cholesterol checked here today and since my friends and I love to work out, the Expo's been really enjoyable."

"I came to the show two years ago and it's always good," added Shirley Guvman. "I don't work here on post, but I come to gym often and I just really enjoy the classes and everything they offer."

DFMWR offered free t-shirts to all who attended the Expo as well.

For additional information regarding exercise and fitness programs on post, contact Graves Fitness Center at (703) 806-5368, the Body Shop at (703) 806-3100 or DFMWR marketing office at (703) 805-4137.