The new Fitness lifestyle

(Second of a series)

Fitness training, workout, exercise, Pilates, power yoga, kickboxing and taebo have become some of the catchwords since the 1990s – and it seems that the fitness dictionary just keeps on growing.

With the growing interest in the field comes the growing number of fitness centers. And what better place to put up a gym than in the most stressful area – the Makati business district. But before you put on your trainers and make a dash for the newest gym in the area, you might want to take a look at the fitness centers that have been around for years.

Like Fitness International, which first flexed its muscle 17 years ago.

According to Connie Soriano, marketing and events specialist of Fitness International, Fitness International was the brainchild of its president David Lloyd, who has been involved in the fitness industry in the country for more than 20 years now.

Fitness recently moved from its old home at the Corinthian Plaza on Paseo de Roxas to 12B at the LKG Tower building on Ayala Avenue. "The move was good for us. After all, we felt that it was time for a change and we also wanted to be located at a place which was more accessible to our members and our soon-to-be members," says Connie.

The move also allowed Fitness to refurbish the 25 weight and aerobic machines it already had. More than that, the gym was also able to acquire 25 new machines.

Staying Fit – And Put

"Today, we are proud to say that we have around 500 active members–who have been with us for many years now. It has been our policy to provide a place where our members can feel at home," shares Connie.

The homey atmosphere is what keeps members loyal to the gym. Connie says that when it comes to making sure that the needs of members are met, all of them – from the personal trainers, to the front desk staff, to the gym instructors – "do all we can to get them what they need."

Aside from the special pampering members have become accustomed to, Connie says that the other big winner for the gym is the fact that it offers between 30 and 35 aerobic classes a week. "We make sure that our aerobic instructors update or vary their classes at least once every two months so that our members don’t get bored with the classes. We have very good instructors in the gym and our members have been happy participating in the classes," Connie adds.

Connie is quick to point out that aerobic classes are still the domain of more women than men, with yoga, kickboxing and Pilates packing ’em in. The good news, too, is that Fitness International has a separate aerobic room which allows those participating in the classes to fully concentrate on what they are doing and lets those who don’t do aerobics get on with their workouts undisturbed.

"But we offer a lot of weight training, too. Our personal training consultant, Rene Dio, is a bemedalled powerlifter and bodybuilder. We also make sure that our gym instructors are either physical therapists, graduates of Physical Education, or ACE (American Council on Exercise) certified instructors," Connie reveals.

And just like a true fitness enthusiast, Connie says that they make it a point not to keep their members confined to working out at the gym and continually encourage them to get involved in some sport or even try out competing in a bodybuilding or powerlifting competition. "We have been successful and now, there are many of our members who have seen the need to work out with the goal of more than just having a nice body," she notes.

Good fitness equipment are a must for a good gym and Fitness International does not lack in these. "We have six treadmills, three rowers, three climbers, seven stationary bikes, an elliptical walker and a virtual reality climber. We also have nautilus weight machines. Trackmaster, Tectrix, Sci Fit, Magnum and Nautilus are the brands of equipment we carry," Connie boasts.

Let’s Get Physical And More

Connie says that although Fitness International has kept a low profile and catered largely to Makati-based executives and residents, this does not mean that they are not open to accepting new members. "I am proud to say that even if some of our members left for a while to try out the other new gyms in the area, most of them came back. Our members say that they cannot get the same kind of personal treatment they do here at other gyms," she asserts. "We really pamper them."

What Fitness International wants to impart to its members is that fitness is not just a workout at the gym but rather a way of life. "Exercise and diet are just two components of staying fit. But there’s more to it. People must realize that unless they change their attitude towards life and take on a more positive outlook, then their workouts might just be that – physical workouts," says Connie.

A lifestyle change. A new beginning. A better tomorrow. A more beautiful figure. A more positive outlook towards life. Fitness, indeed, has come to mean so many things to so many people. But whatever it may mean to you, Fitness International might just be one place where you can discover what it’s all about.

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Fitness International is located at LKG Building, 12B floor, Ayala Avenue Makati City. For inquiries, call 884-11-61 to 65.