I am about to start a new chapter of my battle against the bulge as my home gym for a couple of years is closing down. Fitness First Cebu has been a big part of my life in the past couple of years and I am really sad that it is closing down. The gym is going to close this Saturday and all I can do is look back on the many good things that I will miss about my beloved gym:
10. Trainers and Staff
I will definitely miss the friendly trainers and Staff like Josh, Sherman, Vince, Cha, Wela, Aiza, Janice, Nita, Rane, Johnson, etc. I am so used to see them everyday that February 1, 2015 will really be like starting over.
9. FF Lounge
The lounge has been a place that I met new friends. I have talked about business here. We even have several parties here. I used to enjoy drinking coffee or tea here while cooling down a bit before taking a shower.
8. Body Pump and Hardcore
Can you imagine yourself pumping weights for 1 hour with minimal rest or have you tried a 30-minute high intensity interval training the focuses on the core. These 2 classes have been a staple to me last year. The class is intense and I really enjoy the instructors.
7. The Squat Rack
I used to hate squats but since it is one of the most important weights exercises I forced myself to do it. The more I did squats, my feelings towards it changed. It became my favorite exercise. I do heavy squats almost everyday. I am probably one of the very few who spends a lot of time in the Squat Rack among Fitness First Cebu members. I will surely miss this spot.
6. RPM
Fitness First Cebu also boast off one of the best spinning classes in Cebu. The tracks are current and the instructors are very dedicated to their craft. I may not have done much spinning lately but the RPM class has been one of the reasons why I lost a lot of weight last year.
5. Body Combat
One of the most intense work outs that I ever had was in doing body combat. It is a total body workout that incorporate moves from different martial arts. I always enjoy the Muay Thai tracks.
4. Body Balance
Personally, the hardest group exercise workout for me is the Les Mill's Body Balance. The workout challenges my body but my mind as well. It made me more flexible and it also showed me that I can do things that I thought I cannot do. I always love the last part which is meditation. Body Balance is not all yoga. It involves Sun Salutations and Pilates. The soundtrack of a Body Balance workout is just amazing.
3. Group X Instructors
I have been a big fan of Group Exercise. A lot of people go to the gym to work out on their own but I am one of those who go to Fitness First because of the group classes. Fitness First has the best lineup of group classes and all their instructors are competent, fun, and friendly. Someday, I might join another gym but in the end the instructors in my new gym will always be compared to my Fitness First Instructors. They are the gold standard and they have set the bar quite high.
2. Dance Classes (Body Jam, Sh'Bam, Zumba)
I am one of the guys who loves to dance at the gym. There were many times that I am the only guy in class save for the Dance Instructor. In the last few months, dancing is the only reason that I go to the gym. These dance classes are the reason why I wake up early and drive faster to get to Ayala in the morning. I do not know if there is a gym that can match the dance line-up of Fitness First Cebu.
1. My gym buddies aka FRIENDS
I made a lot of friends at the gym. I practically see and talk to them everyday. We come to class together. We joke. We laugh. We won't be seeing each other as often anymore. January 31, 2015 is like a high school graduation. Friendships may not end but it is gonna be different.
The situation is tough but life has to go on. My struggle to attain a better body will continue. A big change is coming and it is also a great time to try out new things. I always told my friends that to be the best that we can be, we have to venture out of our comfort zone. The gym was my comfort zone for quite a while and the Fitness First closure will force me to grow and show a different kind of passion and commitment towards my physical goals in life. I pray that this turning point is for the better! Kia Kaha!!!
