Machineless at Metafit Camp

CEBU, Philippines - Your body is your machine at the Metafit Camp of The Persimmon Plus.

The Metabolic Fitness Camp is a program of Coach Alan Choachuy, finalist of ABS-CBN’s weight loss reality TV challenge “Biggest Loser Pinoy Edition.” It is patterned after the exercise program of the show’s resident fitness coach Jim Saret, but with twists introduced by Coach A with the help of assistant coach Eric Limatong.

Through packets of exercises, which is a combination of cardiovascular workout and strength-building exercises, one can achieve more muscles.

“Unlike cardio alone which is focused on running and cycling, and strength-building which is about weightlifting and push-ups, we combine both in the metafit program to increase metabolism. The advantage is to burn more calories. The problem with long cardiovascular exercises is that you lose muscles. With metafitness, we gain more muscles, thus burn more calories,” Coach A explained.

This writer is on her third session yet as of this writing, but is now wielding hard-rock respect for this program that allows a participant to bring the exercises home. My slot is, I think, a product of the consensus of some earlier-invited-but-uninterested writers who can’t give up their ice cream and fizz, just like that, so thanks much for declining!

But it took me just last Feb. 9 to start the program, which I later learned commenced on January 7. So my heart turned as heavy as my abdominal obesity (central obesity that’s how experts call it) thinking about the things I had already missed.

On first night (6-8 pm session), assistant coach Eric Limatong pointed out that exercises change every session. “New workout shocks the body every time. So rather than conditioning the body to a certain routine, that sets it to survival mode whenever great loss is achieved and thereby experiencing a plateau, there should be packets of exercises,” he pointed out.

We started with 30 minutes of starfish, snake kicks, squat thrusts, sprints, and plank with a twist for the first round, slashing the time to 20 minutes for the second round which means we have to do the workouts in a faster mode.

Second session was carried out through a buddy system. This is where I discovered how workouts can be made more fun if done with a partner, or in a group. We had to submit ourselves to dips and push-ups, leg raises, inchworms, pullbacks, and the terraband stretches in five stations. First round is again to be completed in 30 minutes, and trimming it to 20 minutes for the second round by indulging in the exercises in a more rigid manner.

The program develops the core, lower abdomen, triceps and chest, as well as the back muscles compensating the arms.

“What is most interesting is that these workouts can be done at home. Your smart body is your sole equipment,” Coach Eric enthused.

The mini camp will run until March 9. (FREEMAN)