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We’re pretty sure everyone overate during the holidays. That said, we would bet our new overpriced coffee planner that one of your resolutions for 2015 — perhaps the same one you had for 2014 — is to lose weight and stay fit. Without breaking a sweat, we give you seven of the top gyms, health clubs, and fitness studios in Metro Manila where you can huff, puff and curse your flabs out.
Options Studio
Branches in Salcedo Village, Bonifacio Global City, Greenhills and Podium; www.options-studio.com, +63 917 8746888.
If you’re after a gentler yet equally effective workout, why not try Pilates? Options Studio is a Singapore-based Pilates studio, with branches in Hong Kong, Bangkok and Manila. It would be a great place to try out Reform Pilates, a choreographed functional-training group workout program — check out the photo above — based on the work of Joseph Pilates, the bro who invented the workout.
Cost: Rates vary depending on the type of session (private or group), ranging from PHP5,000 to PHP30,000.
CFMNL
Branches in Alabang, Bonifacio Global City, Eastwood, Makati, Pasig and San Juan; www.cfmnl.com, +63 917 5821338.
One of the biggest fitness trends of 2014 is CrossFit, a fitness program/regimen that consists of gymnastics, Olympic lifting, and metabolic conditioning. “The programs are designed to improve one’s fitness as a whole — power, strength, flexibility, speed, agility, balance, coordination, cardio, stamina, accuracy,” says Ian Villanueva, an avid “cross-fitter.” It is for everyone. The only difference is the intensity or the weights used,” he says. Best of all, it doesn’t require too much of your time. “Workouts only take 45 minutes to an hour, but are challenging enough that you don’t need to attend more than one class a day,” he says.
Cost: Rates vary per location, but ranges from PHP4,500 to PHP6,500. If you want to try it out first, and see if you’re cut out for it, there is a trial fee of PHP300 for one session.
Gold’s Gym
Branches nationwide including Metro Manila, Pampanga and Cebu; www.goldsgym.com.ph, +63 2 3845897.
One of the pioneers in the international fitness industry, Gold’s Gym boasts over 3 million members worldwide. Aside from having state-of-the-art machines and equipment, it also offers group activities such as Zumba, hip hop, Pilates, body combat, and yoga.
Cost: PHP7,800, PHP14,500 &PHP 28,000 for three, six and 12 months, plus a one-time payment of PHP3,800.
Fitness First
Branches in Cebu, Eastwood, Fairview, Bonifacio Global City, Greenhills, Mall of Asia, Mega Mall, Metro East, SM North Edsa, RCBC Makati and Trinoma; www.fitnessfirst.com.ph, +63 2 4214220.
Since it opened its first branch in Makati in the mid-90s, Fitness First has grown as one of the premier health clubs, now with 16 branches in the Philippines. Its newest one in SM Aura boasts state-of-the-art equipment and facilities that would impress even the most hard-core health enthusiast. It has a lap pool, boxing zone, outdoor workout area, well-maintained locker rooms that come with toiletries and towels [ain’t that great?].
Cost: About PHP 4,000 per month plus joining fee of PHP 2,500.
Beyond Yoga
Branches in Alabang, Bonifacio Global City, Greenhills, Rockwell and Tomas Morato; www.igobeyondyoga.com, +63 917 6299642.
Beyond Yoga has a wide array of yoga classes that you can choose from, including Ashtanga Yoga, Vinyasa Yoga, Yin Yoga and Hatha Yoga, and Jivamukti Yoga. But if you want to feel like a superhero, try Anti-Gravity Yoga, which combines the traditional yoga poses with aerial art, Pilates, and dance with the use of a hammock.
Cost: Daily rates range from PHP450 for Zumba, PHP550 for yoga, PHP650 for AntiGravity Yoga to PHP4,600 for unlimited classes per month.
360˚ Fitness Club
Branches in Alabang, Makati, Ortigas, Quezon City and Bonifacio Global City; www.completethecircuit.com, +63 917 5813933.
They pioneered “express” fitness in the Philippines, a fat-busting series of strength and cardio exercises (or both) that are repeated two to three times with little or no rests in between. Sounds tiring, yes, but at least you’re done 30 minutes. This doesn’t mean, though, that you’ll burn less calories. In fact, one circuit burns 30 percent more calories than a typical workout, making your journey to “balik alindog” faster. 360˚ Fitness Club offers five different programs: weight loss, toning, strength, athletic performance, or general fitness. Thirty-minute group exercises are available also available, including Zumba, Body Jam, Body Balance, Kettlebell Class, and Suspension Training.
Cost: PHP 2,290 & PHP4,000 per month depending on the membership package, which are priced at PHP2,800 for 12 months, PHP2,200 for 18 months.
Polecats Manila
Branches in Bonifacio Global City, Makati, Ortigas, and Timog; www.polecatsmanila.com, +63917.700.7653 or +632.631.0818.
Gone are the days when pole dancing was associated with strippers and strip clubs. Today, it is considered a form of exercise, which both men and women can participate in. One of the leading pole dancing studios in the country is Polecats Manila. Go ahead and learn the basics, and maybe work your way up to doing tougher and more challenging moves. This exercise is great for your core and muscles, and we must admit, damn sexy.
Cost: PHP500 walk-in rate, PHP4,500 unlimited classes for a month.
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