PARKERSBURG, W.Va. (WTAP) -The MOV Fitness Expo came to the Wood County Resiliency Center this weekend, connecting residents with fitness, health and wellness resources from across the Mid-Ohio Valley.

Organizers said the expo brought together local gyms, trainers and wellness vendors, along with nutrition and supplement booths, health screenings, expert advice, and live demonstrations and guest speakers.

Event organizer Liz Strong said the goal was to raise awareness of local resources people may not know are available.

“Just to make awareness of everything that we do have,” Strong said. “There’s a lot that people don’t know about that you can go to just here locally to help us learn more about our bodies, learn about how we can become healthier and fitter and feeling better about ourselves.”

Deanna Shuler with Memorial Health System said the expo helped showcase services available through the health system.

“We wanted to take an opportunity to just kind of demonstrate some of the services that we have for the fitness and wellness community,” Shuler said. “We’ve got some things displayed here for our physical therapy department as well as our wellness department.”

Strong said the event can be especially helpful for people just beginning their health and fitness journey.

“It is very important for people to see these resources because for people that are just getting into the health and fitness journey of their life,” Strong said. “It’s a good way for them to come in and see what is available to them locally so that they know what gyms are in the area, what nutrition options they have.”

Sydney Weber with the Wood County Resiliency Center said making health a priority can impact every part of life.

“Your health is the centerpiece of everything that you do,” Weber said. “It’s important to prioritize that. It’s important to take the time to go work out, to eat healthy, to, you know, find that community in the fitness world here as well.”

Shuler said small, consistent changes can help people build healthier habits.

“Take a little bit every day, a little bit of movement, get a little few extra veggies in every day,” Shuler said. “Just small steps, but doing it consistently is the best way to get into a healthy routine.”

Editor’s note: The video for this story will be added once it airs. Please check back for the updated video.