Top 10 new sports spots to check out now

MANILA, Philippines - So you think that only the restaurant, bar and club industry is booming in the city? Just as you were sipping your craft beef from The Brewery came a new surge of spots devoted to a different kind of high. Even global sales of luxury goods decreased as people started focusing on themselves and how they can be better at...sports.

The minute you wake up, Instagram bombards you with images of people running, working out, doing their CrossFit, yoga, Zumba; and at night, electric spinning, training sessions with so-and-so right beside you as they proceed with their nightly activities. Now here’s one trend that’s sure to make your life last longer. There’s always one that’s meant for you, no matter what age, size, body type or intensity level.

The best thing to do is to start now. 

1. Electric Studio Indoor Cycling

The current favorite activity of girls-on-the-go, Electric Studio Indoor Cycling, mixes big beats, energetic instructors and wise words on the wall for a full-body workout that simulates dancing in a club. The booking is all done online, and as soon as schedules are released, it almost always gets fully booked. The studio provides you with shoes and a towel, so just bring yourself and your water bottle. Lots of eye candy, too. (2nd floor, 8 Forbeswood Road, The Fort.) 

2. Beyond Yoga Serendra

The eighth branch of the Beyond brand opens in Serendra end of this month. Why “Beyond”? The studio offers ashtanga, vinyasa, hatha, yin yoga, kids yoga and anti-gravity fitness (it’s the only authorized brand to carry the franchise from New York) and even a kinesis machine. Located within the fitness compound is Saddle Row, a rowing and bike studio located inside. Beyond Yoga Serendra has partners like Iya Villania, Bubbles Paraiso, Phoemela Baranda and Atticus King so expect celebrities and their friends in this branch. (2nd floor, Serendra Mall.)

3. Options Studio Greenhills

Options Studio Greenhills is the only Pilates studio run in tandem with a chiropractic clinic.  Athletes and celebrities go there — chiropractor Dr. Anton Cancio is their best-kept secret. Options Studio Greenhills offers Pilates programs for weight loss, and even specific group classes to firm the butt and thighs, and tone the arms. Pilates strengthens the core and keeps you long and lean. Options Studio Greenhills is at the 3rd floor of 101 Connecticut corner Missouri Streets, Greenhills; tel. nos. 623-8449 and 0917-8903229. 

4. Tri Temple

Triathletes from various backgrounds got together to grow the multisport community by putting up this temple for lovers of the sport. T3 is the first facility of its kind, offering the latest triathlon equipment and gear plus coaching, training and diagnostic services. There’s an actual swim lab (which uses a GoPro camera system to record your movements), a T3 Temple Power lab cycling studio and a store where you can purchase all your multi-sport needs within this game changer of a sports facility. (2135 Chino Roces Ave., beside King’s Court, Makati.)

5. Fight Factory Manila

Fight Factory partnered with Elorde to open several branches all over the metro.  They have boxing, Muay Thai, wrestling, jujitsu (certified training by black belters) so you get the best of both worlds. For those who want to get into MMA, this is the best place to start.

6. Fly Health Hub

At Fly Health Hub, excellent and dedicated instructors and coaches spell the difference. Fly is a new studio and has everything from pole dancing to aerial silk, yoga, gymnastics to jazz to hardcore circuit to conditioning training. (2nd floor, Birch Tower, 1622 Bocobo Street, Malate. For schedules, 0925- 3374837.)

7. Pace Recovery and Pre-hab Studio

“Evidence-based preventive medicine and the science of recovery.” That’s what Pace is all about. Pace is the first pre-hab (not rehab) studio in town that ensures an athlete reaches his maximum potential while maintaining a well-balanced, healthy and injury free lifestyle. The man behind Pace is Francis Diano, an NYC-based physical therapist with master credentials in manual therapy who’s now in Manila to open Pace this October. (MDI Corporate Center, 39th St, 10th Ave. BGC.)

8. SIMS (Sante Impact Center)

Athletes swear by the Sante Impact System for strength and conditioning. SimS also specializes in TRX and Myofascial rehab as well. Popular with basketball players and triathletes because of its one-stop shop for multisport needs. Other people go the salon to get ready for an event. Athletes go to SimS before a race or a game. (U/G Eton Cyberpod, Corinthian EDSA corner Ortigas.)

9. Primal Ape CrossFit Center

Become your be(a)st self in this CrossFit center that’s rocking the fitness world with its unconventional methods and social media savvy. This classy boot camp also has weightlifting, individual coaching for the CrossFit community. Check out their IG page @weareprimalcf or www.primalapecf.com and see for yourself.

10. Anytime Fitness

After their successful branch on Pioneer Street, Anytime Fitness just opened a new one in Serendra. People used to work out either in the morning before work or right after work. With work times a-changing, so does the work out time. To avoid the inconvenience of rushing to the gym before it closes, you can go at anytime — like 4 a.m. to avoid the rush hour or past midnight to burn the guilt off from that burger you had at dinner. Fitness anytime, indeed.                 

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Erratum: In last week’s 10 new nightspots to watch out for, the cuisine of Bank Bar was erroneously credited to Bruce Lim. It should have been Robert Bolaños, head corporate chef of The Moment Group. Apologies for the mistake. And, here’s to the best yakisoba any nightspot could have! — TIM YAP