Bent Bar Powerlifting
2026 will mark the inaugural year of the Empire State Fit Expo. This will be a 1-day event on March 28th at the Albany Capital Center in downtown Albany.
The Albany Capital Center has 30k sq ft of space, and we are using every bit of it. We will have events including CrossFit, USA Powerlifting, Strongman, Hybrid Challenge, and Jujitsu.
There will be vendors from far and wide.
ASPIRE HYBRID CHAMPIONSHIP
The Aspire Hybrid Championship is a high-intensity fitness race designed to challenge both elite and everyday athletes.
EVENT OVERVIEW
The Aspire Hybrid Championship is a high-energy hybrid fitness experience built to challenge both competitive athletes and everyday gym-goers in an electric, expo-style atmosphere. Designed for speed, strategy, and continuous movement, the course flows in a clean single direction with no backtracking — keeping athletes racing and spectators engaged from start to finish.
The day kicks off at 10:00 AM with two action-packed 45-minute group competition workouts rotating through the course stations. Each class holds 24 athletes, delivering a high-intensity race-style workout that brings the competition feel to a group fitness format.
10:00 AM — Group Workout #1 (24 athletes)
11:00 AM — Group Workout #2 (24 athletes)
SOLO COMPETITOR RACES
Starting at 12:00 PM, the floor shifts to Solo Division racing.
Athletes will compete in 5 flights of 3 competitors, launching every 20 minutes for a total of 15 solo racers:
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12:00 PM
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12:20 PM
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12:40 PM
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1:00 PM
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1:20 PM
Each solo athlete takes on the full hybrid course head-to-head in a true race format.
ASPIRE TO ACHIEVE CHALLENGE PRESENTATION
From 2:00 – 2:30 PM, we’ll pause competition for a special awards presentation recognizing the Aspire to Achieve Challenge winner — celebrating transformation, dedication, and community impact.
DOUBLES TEAM RACES
Team competition begins at 2:40 PM, featuring 15 total teams (30 athletes) competing in 5 flights of 3 teams, launching every 20 minutes:
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2:40 PM
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3:00 PM
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3:20 PM
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3:40 PM
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4:00 PM
Partners will work together through the hybrid course, sharing the workload and racing side-by-side to the finish.
The event will conclude before 5:00 PM, wrapping up a full afternoon of competition and community energy.
THE HYBRID COURSE – 8 STATION RACE
Athletes move continuously through eight challenging stations designed to test endurance, strength, and grit:
• Assault Bike — 1 mile
• Ski Erg — 1,000 meters
• Sandbag Lunges — 50 alternating lunges (20 kg)
• Sled Push & Pull — 4 push lengths + 4 pull lengths (230 lb sled)
• Row Erg — 1,000 meters
• Dumbbell Squat to Press — 50 reps (20 lb dumbbells)
• Overhead Med Ball Slams — 50 reps (20 lb ball)
• Burpee Plate Jumps — 50 reps (45 lb bumper plate)
EXPO EXPERIENCE & COMMUNITY ENERGY
All competitors and spectators will enjoy a festival-style fitness environment featuring:
-Live DJ by MixItUp
-Aspire Athletic Apparel clothing table
-Total Metabolic Analysis (TMA) testing station
-Aspire Athletic Club info booth
- The L.E.A.D. Foundation community table
With nonstop action, music, vendors, and elite-level energy, the Aspire Hybrid Championship is more than a workout — it’s a full-scale fitness experience.
THE EMPIRE STRONGMAN CLASSIC
Mud Bog Tire Deadlift:
Competitor will Start Strapped in. Lift until Locked Out. Up and Down commands given. 18inch deadlift (NO BOUNCING)
60-second time limit
Equipment Allowed: Wrist Straps, Wrist Wraps, Chalk, Belt, Elbow Sleeves, Knee Sleeves
Log Clean and Press Away:
On judges command, Clean Log from the floor and press away for as many reps as possible in 60 seconds. Arms must be locked out and head through for a rep. Cannot have more than 1 under belt and/or 1 hard belt. Must wait for the down command.
Equipment allowed
Wrist wraps, Belt, elbow & knee sleeves, Chalk allowed.
Steel Husafel Carry:
On judges command, you will pick up and carry the Husafel for distance. turns at 30 feet, 60-second time limit.
Equipment allowed: Wrist wraps, elbow and knee sleeves, Belt, and chalk
Strongman Cornhole:
You will have 3 weighted throwing sandbags. On the judges' go, you will throw the sandbags old grandma basketball style between the legs, facing forward at an oversized cornhole board. The board will be numbered with points to score. 60-second time limit.
Equipment allowed: Wrist wraps, elbow and knee sleeves, Belt, and chalk
Stein Hold:
This will be a progressive hold. Every 10 seconds 5lbs for guys, 2 lbs for girls will be added while you continue to hold the stein to the front. 60-second time limit. Once your arms drop, you are done.
Equipment allowed: Wrist wraps, elbow and knee sleeves, Belt, and chalk
USA POWERLIFTING NEW YORK STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Bent Bar Powerlifting will be providing the platform for the 2026 New York State Championships for USA Powerlifting.