Wed | Jan 28, 2026

FitFest returns with a push for healthier living

Published:Wednesday | January 28, 2026 | 12:07 AM
Kurt Dunn (3rd left), CEO, BodybyKurt FitFest Party & Expo, shares a photo op with Juliet Cuthbert Flynn (second left), state minister for National Security & Peace, and sponsors (from left) Diahann Gordon Harrison, Children’s Advocate; Hillary Coulton,
Contributed
Kurt Dunn (3rd left), CEO, BodybyKurt FitFest Party & Expo, shares a photo op with Juliet Cuthbert Flynn (second left), state minister for National Security & Peace, and sponsors (from left) Diahann Gordon Harrison, Children’s Advocate; Hillary Coulton, public relations and administrative manager, CHASE Fund; Maurice Bryan, sales and reservations manager, Courtleigh Hospitality Group; and Renee Fearon, category manager, Lasco Distributors Limited, at the FitFest media launch on January 15.

The organisers of FitFest Party and Expo have announced details of their 2026 series, positioning the event as a blend of fitness, health education and entertainment. The first staging is scheduled for January 31 at the NWC Sports Club in Mona, St Andrew.

FitFest 2026 aims to address Jamaica’s growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) by combining high-intensity workout sessions, a comprehensive health expo and a party-style atmosphere designed to attract a broad audience.

At a recent media launch, key stakeholders stressed the role of physical activity and community engagement in building a healthier population. Juliet Cuthbert Flynn, Minister of State in the Ministry of National Security and Peace, Wellness Trainer and Olympian, praised the initiative for making fitness both accessible and enjoyable.

She urged Jamaicans to regard wellness as a long-term commitment rather than a passing trend. “Fitness is a lifestyle and we should all practise and incorporate that in our daily lives. While it is encouraging to see more gyms opening, we must ask ourselves, are we getting healthier?” she noted.

Pointing to the proliferation of fast-food outlets, she called for a shift in lifestyle habits. Citing data from the Ministry of Health and Wellness, she said strokes account for 2,000 deaths annually from roughly 7,000 diagnoses – an outcome, she argued, could be reduced through regular exercise and balanced nutrition.

Kurt Dunn, chief executive officer of BodybyKurt: FitFest Party & Expo, said the 2026 staging would be the largest yet. “FitFest has grown from a workout session into the island’s premier fitness movement. But as we grow, our ‘Why’ remains the same. We cannot ignore the reality of our landscape. Health is no longer just a personal choice; it is a national priority, and FitFest is our response to that challenge,” Dunn explained.

The event has attracted strong corporate backing, including support from the Culture, Health, Arts, Sports and Education (CHASE) Fund, which continues to invest in initiatives aimed at improving national well-being.

Hilary Coulton, public relations and administrative manager at the CHASE Fund, outlined the rationale for continued partnership. “We have been with FitFest for the last few years because it aligns with our mandate to support healthy lifestyle programmes. We like the vision, the consistency, and we believe FitFest is really getting the message across about fitness. We encourage everyone to come out and enjoy the fitness experience,” Coulton shared.