Public invited to community celebration Sunday hosted by Pro Maxx Fitness

Pro Maxx Fitness is hosting a free, all-day fun fitness event Sunday, Sept. 14, in the parking lot of the Annandale Fire Station, 7128 Columbia Pike. There will be fitness competitions, entertainment, and food donated by local vendors. The entire Annandale community is invited, as well as gym members.

The Live Life to the Maxx party has nothing to do with the gym’s troubles with the landlord of the Annandale Shopping Center, says Personal Training Manager Rachel Martin. There won’t be any petition signing or other campaign activities aimed at resolving the leasing conflict.

“This is completely separate,” says Martin. “We always wanted to throw an outdoor festival of some kind. It’s a celebration of the gym and the Annandale community.” It’s also the last day of the gym’s outdoor boot camp.

And although the gym is facing eviction on Sept. 30, “it’s not a farewell party,” she says. While the gym’s owners are trying to work out an arrangement allowing them to stay, there aren’t any new developments. The conflict with the shopping center will be heard in court on Sept. 19.

Here’s the schedule of events at the fitness festival:
11:30 a.m.—tire flip race (30 feet)
12 p.m.—Zumba
1 p.m.—bench press competition
2 p.m.—team events begin
4 p.m.—martial arts demonstration
4:30 p.m.—international dance performance

The team events include “tug of peace,” obstacle course, “if you can dodge a wrench … dodgeball,” hydration station, protein pig-out challenge, and medicine ball launcher.

There will be kids’ activities all day, including limbo, fitness bingo, a watermelon contest, and face painting.

Participants are advised to wear comfortable athletic clothes and bring an extra change of clothes if you’re taking part in the team events. Spectators might want to bring lawn chairs or blankets. Individual prizes will be awarded throughout the day; team prizes will be awarded at the end of the day.