Where to sweat it out, work it off, and pump some iron in Manila…
We all need to keep fit, but sometimes doing the same old workout can be a drag. It’s hard to bring yourself on the daily (or on the weekly) to the same treadmill, the boring free weights, and the tired aerobics class.
Manila is full of options for spicing up your workout routine, making it less boring and perhaps even offering better results since your body probably gets just as tired of a boring old workout as your brain does.
There are, of course, other ways to work up a sweat — flying trapeze, doing anti-gravity yoga, and surfing indoors. And those options are all available right here in the city.
Indoor cycling
Spinning, or indoor cycling, is a tried-and-true alternative workout, much more fun and spirited than plodding along on the elliptical. When the lights are down, the music is up, and the instructor is screaming at you to “Just.Keep.Going” — it works wonders in burning those calories off.
There are several studios in Manila that get rave reviews including Electric Studio, Ride Revolution, Saddle Row, and Perigon.
With branches in Bonifacio Global City (BGC), Makati, and Mandaluyong, Electric offers candlelight and choreography during rides, as well as free weights during class to tone the upper body along with the lower. They stress the aspects of riding together to build community and positivity.
Ride Revolution also has three locations around the city and prides itself on its pay-as-you-go system without contracts or commitments. They believe the strength of their customized workouts will keep riders coming back even without a financial obligation to do so. They also stress the importance of wearing specialty cleated shoes to spin in order to engage the hamstrings and glutes to achieve lean, toned legs.
Saddle Row offers similar cycling exercises but alongside indoor rowing classes. Inspired by London’s famous suiting street, it has a more refined aesthetic that opts for muted tones of black, white, and beige, instead of the bright neons spinning studios are known for.
Perigon is the new kid on the block and sets itself apart through its location. Instead of situating itself in a business district like the other studios, it’s in Santolan Town Plaza, a new development tucked in San Juan City’s residential area. Its vibe is different too, as it’s grungier and has an industrial feel.
Find it:
Electric Studio is at 2/F 8 Forbes Town Rd., Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City
Phone: (632) 833-6051/ (63) 917-843-8424
More branches here.
Ride Revolution is at Unit GD107, North Wing Shangri-La Plaza, EDSA cor. Shaw Blvd., Mandaluyong City
Phone: (63) 977-807-7545
One more branch here.
Saddle Row is at 2/F, Central Square, 5th Ave., Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City
Phone: (63) 977-802-5433
One more branch here.
Perigon is at 2/F, Santolan Town Plaza, Santolan Rd., cor. P. Guevarra St., San Juan City
Phone: (632) 799-0806
Anti-gravity yoga
For a workout that might feel wholly unnatural but produce out-of-this-world results, check out anti-gravity (aerial) yoga at Beyond Yoga. With five studios scattered around the city, they bill themselves as the largest full-service yoga studio in Metro Manila and offer classes for all levels.
The benefits of this style of yoga, performed while hanging from a silk loop attached to the ceiling — other than the feeling of flying, of course — include: joint decompression, better alignment, less strain and relief from vertebrae pressure.
Find it:
Beyond Yoga is at 3/F 38 Rockwell, Rockwell Dri. cor. Palma St. Rockwell Center, Makati City
Phone: (632) 808-2061/(63) 998-999-7625/(63) 917-522-9449
More branches here.
Ladies only
Curves is a chain of mini-gyms scattered across the US that are open only for women and offer 30-minute workouts made up of short weight-lifting bursts followed by quick cardio intervals. They call this the “Curves circuit.” The ladies-only gym trend has made it to Manila, with five outlets located across the city, each with its own “Curves coach” on hand to help guests along and answer any questions.
Find it:
Curves is at 4/F Cinema Level, Citywalk 2, Eastwood City, Quezon City
Phone: (632) 718-5409 / (63) 917-737-7835
More branches here.
Calisthenics
Everything old is new again — and that’s certainly the case at Sparta. This Mandayulong City calisthenics academy aims to create elite athletes at their “one-stop, sports, lifestyle, and wellness center.” Naming their brand values as fearlessness, respect, honor, and excellence, we’re guessing this isn’t going to be a workout you can half-ass your way through.
Find it:
Sparta is at 126 Pioneer St., Mandaluyong City
Phone: (632) 655-3799/(63) 977-763-4402
Update: This venue is now CLOSED
Flying trapeze
For the truly daring, check out Flying Trapeze Philippines, the only full-sized flying trapeze setup in the Philippines, where you can pretend you’re a true circus star. This alt-exercise spot is in BGC and allows visitors, from total newbies to advanced circus trainees, to feel the wind in their hair as they fly through the air and get a great, full-body toning workout.
Indoor climbing
Whether indoor or out, rock climbing is one of the hardest sports out there — both mentally and physically. The main difference is that it’s somewhat safer indoors. At Mandayulong City’s Climb Central, you can try basic routes perfect for first-timers or advanced maneuvers for those that dream of someday conquering Everest. Sign up for classes, climb routes with a belay buddy, or boulder on your own.
Find it:
Climb Central is at The Portal, Mayflower St., Greenfield District, Mandaluyong City
Phone: (632) 721-8307
Indoor surfing
Hang ten indoors at this unusual workout spot. Located at The Seasons mall in Cavite, Flow House Manila promises a great, heart-pounding workout with a laid-back California vibe with food, beer, DJs, bands, contests, and more. Even if you’re not interested in a work out like this, it’s still a pretty cool place for chilling and people-watching.
Find it:
Flow House Manila is at Seasons Mall, Molino Blvd., Bacoor, Cavite
Phone: (632) 403-4344
Parkour
The cleverly-named parkour school Ninja Academy in Quezon City teaches you how to be Spiderman. Just kidding. But after a few classes, you will be able to run up walls, balance on tiny beams and do things you never thought possible. A few side benefits of this workout? Rock hard abs, cut calves, bulging thighs, and crazy confidence. They offer a six-month “ninja bod” program and 30-minute obstacle course classes called “the gauntlet” that happen four times every day.
Find it:
Ninja Academy is at 2/F Industria Mall, Circulo Verde, Calle Industria, Libis, Quezon City
Phone: (63) 917-146-4652
Circuit training
There are few exercises that get you in and out of the gym faster than circuit training. At 360 Fitness, which has six locations across the city, you’ll maximize every minute with one of the hardest, sweatiest, fastest-moving workouts around. Using weights, kettlebells, your own body weight, and all kinds of other equipment, you’re bound to get buff fast.
Find it:
360 Fitness is at 4/F. West Tower, Philippine Stock Exchange Centre Building Exchange Rd., Ortigas Center, Pasig City
Phone: (632) 800-3705/(63) 917-657-5202/(63) 917-560-0360/(63) 949-889-7868
More branches here.
Barre
Barre workouts may look easy, but they are one of the most challenging alt-workouts out there. If you’ve never been forced to hold an agonizing tip-toe plié for an entire minute — or felt the extreme soreness the next day — then we don’t want to hear how easy it is. However, stick with a barre program like those at Barre 3 and you’ll get a long, lean, defined look.
Find it:
Barre 3 is at 908 Bonifacio High Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City
Phone: (632) 403-5994/(632) 856-5858/(63)928-550-4891
More branches here.
Boxing
Last but not least, here’s an alternative workout for those with a bit of aggression they want to work off. Flyweight offers real boxing techniques taught safely for beginners to advanced students. They use six-foot heavy bags and work in intervals for max calories burned. How many, you might ask? Up to 750 calories per hour, they say, as well as toned muscle, fat reduction, and increased metabolism.
Find it:
Flyweight is at 2/F Eight Forbes Town Rd., Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City
Email: studio@flyweight.ph
Saltar
“Saltar” means “jump” in Portuguese. It’s also the name of a workout offered by Celebrity Fitness that has participants jumping on trampolines. The class runs for 60 minutes and promises to burn major calories, tone abs and legs, and improve balance.
Find it:
Celebrity Fitness is at L236-239 and 241, One Bonifacio High Street Building, 5th Ave. Cor. 28th St., Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City
Phone: (632) 744-7917
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in June 2018, but the Coconuts crew is bringing it back from the archives since the information it contains remains relevant and useful. Rest assured, we’ve reviewed and updated it to make sure this oldie but goodie will still serve you well.
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