Santa Clarita residents took one step closer to a healthier lifestyle over the weekend.

The Santa Clarita Athletic Club’s Health and Business Expo brought more than 500 fitness enthusiasts together Saturday where they took in some free food, entertainment and health management workshops – and helped some charities in the process.

Participants began the day with a Zumba Dance party, followed by a weight loss clinic with SCV’s Dr. Thomas Polucki.

An outdoor car and motorcycle show was scheduled for the morning but clouds and rain brought unfavorable conditions, prompting automobile owners to retreat back to shelter.

Santa Clarita Athletic Club boasts a new youth gym.

Inside, more than 60 vendors packed the floor of the gym’s main basketball court, displaying everything from clothing to health care products.

The 68,000-square-foot complex is riddled with amenities aimed at promoting healthy lifestyles and alternatives to the norm.

“I wanted to put something together for everybody,” said Expo Director George Hartmann. “We do it for free so that people can dig in their pockets and help out the charities in our community.”

The complex boasts an indoor pool, a women’s-only gymnasium, a virtual cycling arena and other one-of-a-kind services – all of which were demonstrated for expo-goers.

Jesse Cobb, 5, lost his battle against brain cancer Tuesday.

Proceeds from purchases made at the expo went toward benefiting Single Mothers Outreach, Circle of Hope and the Jessie Cobb Memorial Fund.

“We’re very close to these charities, especially the Jesse Cobb Fund,” Hartmann said.

He explained why he chose to help the Cobbs, a family mourning the loss of 5-year-old Jesse Cobb.

Cobb was Hartmann’s nephew. The boy was diagnosed with brain cancer in October 2011. He lost the battle Tuesday.

“It hit me hard. My kids are the same age. We wanted to raise money to help his family,” Hartmann said.

Hartmann wants to gain exposure for more local nonprofit organizations and develop healthy lifestyles in local youth with an event every three months.

He also hopes for nicer weather next time.