Fit to the Core

Fitness is a way of life, at least that’s what most of the experts say it should be. But try telling that to someone who isn’t into to it and the best reply you’ll get is, "Ya, I know. But I just don’t have the time to work out!?" or "If only I was more athletic, maybe that would do me good."

In the years that I have been working out, I have heard all sorts of excuses as to why people can’t work out – or they’d like to but couldn’t find the time to make it to the fitness center and give it a try.

In fact, I have met more people who say that they plan to get in shape "and it’s just a matter of time." But for people who are into fitness – be it working out at a gym or doing any of the many sports they enjoy – there is nothing that can stop them for making time for their daily dose of exercise.

Most people like to engage in some sort of physical activity to help relieve the stress that so much of life entails. This must explain the growing number of fitness centers all over Metro Manila.

Gold’s Gym in Glorietta has been attracting new members daily and that’s not only because of the state-of-the-art facilities that it offers, but because it’s open till midnight, too. Beat that.

Most of the other fitness centers in the Makati, San Juan and Quezon City areas have also spruced up their gyms and added all the new aerobics classes just to attract as many different kinds of clients as possible.

If you really think about it, there are as many different kinds of classes offered as there are types of people who exercise. The traditional aerobics classes are still very much around for people who love to sweat it out while marching, jumping, going up and down the bench to their favorite disco beat.

There are Latin dances, kickboxing and even punchbag classes for those who prefer to hit a large bag rather that just punch the air like they do in kickboxing. Pilates, yoga, and stretching classes are there for those who like to get the benefits of a good stretch but at the same time not feel like their hearts and ears might explode because of the loud music. Anyone who has attended a Pilates or Yoga class knows that the rhythm is slower (but definitely no less intense) and more relaxing, allowing a person to summon the strength and energy to stick with the movements from deep within their beings.

Weight training is still very much around and mind you, this kind of workout is no longer a male domain. Women have also seen the benefits of developing their muscles. "Although there are many people who still believe that the best way to lose weight is to sweat it out by running for hours on the treadmill, what’s really best is a combination of aerobic training, weight training and good eating habits," declares Paolo Villarroel, a fitness instructor who has been in the industry for over 10 years now.

Paolo has gone from being part of the Philippine Dragon Boat team to coaching the team to becoming a personal trainer and then to studying abroad and learning the Pilates approach to fitness. " But at the end of the day, what is important is that a person becomes familiar with what their strengths and weaknesses are and then work at improving what they’re good at and strengthening their weak points," he adds.

Paolo and his business partner Cheska Laural are the team behind Core Fitness, which the duo opened about two years ago.

In Core Fitness, says Paolo, focuses on developing a sports conditioning program. And it is here where Paolo is the expert. "In Core Fitness, what we have been able to do is to combine weight training, stretching with the use of a ball and the Pilates method," he shares.

In Core Fitness, clients undergo a three-point program. First, they are assessed according to what their fitness goals are (whether they want to lose weight, strengthen their muscles or just feel better about themselves) and from there, a program is developed by both the instructor and client.

The second point is wellness. It is here that the strengths and the weaknesses of the clients are discussed and program is developed, taking into consideration what might be good or not so good for the client. With the program in place, the client is then on his way to a fit lifestyle.

Of course, the third point of the Core program is to allow the clients to discover for themselves that a change in eating habits and lifestyle is what will make the program work for life.

Says Paolo: "It is easy to tell a person that he needs to eat less or lose weight, but if you force him, he will never do it. So, here at Core, what we like to do is let our clients discover for themselves, through their training programs, that they are actually changing their lifestyles. Yet, that change is gradual."

Tailor-made programs are what Core Fitness has to offer. Paolo is proud that their eldest client is 72 years old and still exercises regularly. "But we make sure that we work together with the doctors of our clients so that our programs will not in any way harm them," he points out.

Okay, I know you’re not the type of person who works out or likes to. There aren’t enough hours in the day for work, let alone exercise. But let me just say this, whatever it is you do – cleaning the house, walking the dogs, cleaning the car, walking an extra 10 minutes rather than taking the jeep or the tricycle – make time for it.

You can reach Core Fitness at 750-0116 or 750-0117.