Returned yesterday after too much time away, and I'm happy to say that the place is a lot nicer…read morenow! One, there is an actual floor. Two, it doesn't reek of sweat. Three, the ventilation has improved significantly, which is a blessing in this tropical country. Four, the bathroom is a lot cleaner now and one shower stall even has a curtain. Because I badly need to relax and get a change of pace for vacation, I went to inquire about the free trial classes. The lady at the front desk who gave me a tour of the renovated gym and explained the payment options and package deals was really nice. And, as expected, the teachers are the best of the best. Oh god, I nearly had a heart attack from awe and terror when I learned the muay thai coach is Red Romero, the current URCC featherweight champion (he'll be defending his title in July!). My fears were unfounded though, as he's very nice too. The workout he gave the class was hell, but that's what I signed up for. This summer is gonna be fun. Fun side note: the boxing coach remembered me from when I used to take capoeira here!

I love Muay Thai. Doesnt matter that it kicks my ass all the time and my lungs cant take the…read morepressure. I love the fact that it's a deadly dance that uses the art of eight limbs to inflict maximum damage. But. I cant train anywhere else. Or with any other Kru for that matter. I get real shyyyyy. For real. I will always be indebted to Kru Dante for showing me the art of the dance, the grace that comes with delivering a well-placed roundhouse, and the strength needed to endure the pain that comes with it. I am forever grateful to Kru Dante for his patience, training, discipline. Each session is a world of learning and even if i go home battered and bruised after sparring with large men with ripped chests, thick limbs, and a grin like a black eye waiting to happen, it will always be fun. Sa King's Den, bawal ang pagod! No pain no gain!

I got mugged one time while riding a jeep, and that memory of having a knife pressed to my cheek is…read morestill one of the most haunting experiences that I have ever had. That incident gave me a little bit of a trauma, and I felt helpless and defenseless for a while. I posted about it on my Facebook, and then days later, I got an invite to a self-defense class that was organized by a friend's mom. It turns out that friend was almost abducted by a gang while she was heading to her car in a parking garage. These are scary times that we are living in, and it is always a comfort to be able to rest in the fact that you know how to defend yourself in case ill fortune has it that you will encounter bad forces in this rather gritty city of ours. The self defense class that I attended was taught by the members of IKMF. I had karate when I was little, but that was about it. I was glad that IKMF taught basics, and in that two-hour class, I was able to learn a lot about the basics of safety and self defense. I appreciated the fact that they taught us to read the situation and not get into defense mode if you clearly can't overpower your attacker. Krav maga, the Israeli martial art and self defense discipline is wonderful in that it uses your body's natural instincts as a foundation for defending yourself during an attack. Basically, they have developed it in a way that it weaponizes your primal reactions to certain stimuli. In a span of two hours, the IKMF staff taught the class the basics of blocking and self-defense when attacked from different approaches. I don't ever hope to get mugged or attacked in the streets again, but at least now I know how to keep myself relatively safe just in case. I strongly urge everyone, especially women to take at least a basic self-defense course because you can never be too complacent. IKMF's basic class is enjoyable and fun, and you don't even have to have a background in any sport or martial art. It is also good exercise, and the IKMF staff can help you if you want to make a hobby or a sport out of it.

My husband wanted to practice some martial art here in Manila, but the classes should be close to…read moreour place. After some research, he discovered a fitness center just a walking distance from here (FTX Gym) that offers Krav Maga classes. Well, when he asked my opinion, the only think I knew about it is that it's an israeli self-defense technique. I had no idea it was possible to practice it inside a fitness center, so we both got curious and excited about that. The fact the classes are offered by the International Krav Maga Federation in the Philippines made us even more confident about the instructor's competence. Krav Maga is actually one of the most effective self-defense system offered today. It was originally created for military purposes in the early 50's and nowadays provides self-defense solutions also for the civil sector. Hubby enrolled in the class and practiced it for one month. He just quit it when our baby was born, but he intends to return as soon as possible. What I could notice is that Krav Maga training is never-ending and constantly improving. He told me classes are really amazing. First the instructor teach a set of self-defense tools and hen you're invited to put it in practice with your fellow classmates. Besides being an excellent technique to protect yourself, it's an awesome working out session as well. And the best part of it: instructors have always in mind that safety comes first!

Wonderful gym when visiting Manila. 700 pesos for a pad workout and tips from talented instructors…read more The instructors are knowledgeable fighters with tips to increase speed and power. Have visited gyms globally for over 45 years and I like fitting a quick daily workout in during visits to Manila. Nice people focused on the art of fighting.

Great place to train. Coach and students were very welcoming. I'll be training here whenever I…read moretravel. Added bonus: showers!!!!

Wushu is a traditional, non-contact Chinese martial art. It's been used countless times in big and…read moresmall screen fight choreographies, like the Star Wars films, the firebenders of Avatar: The Last Airbender, and pretty much every Jet Li movie. Paohong Wushu is one place in Manila where you can learn the art form yourself. The Paohong coaches have brought home the gold, silver, and bronze on many occasions, including the SEA games. The core team of advanced students keep their skills sharp by joining competitions throughout the year. Sometimes, they are invited to perform or guest for film, TV, or stage productions. The advanced students are taught to handle weapons, particularly the straight sword, broadsword, and spear. Most of their students are kids and teenagers, as they're encouraged to start out young, but adults are welcome to try out the classes. It'll require a lot of discipline, stamina and flexibility, but if you're willing to give it a try, classes are very affordable. But don't expect to be kicking butt right after a few classes! Again, wushu is a non-contact demo sport - pretty bad-ass to look at, but you won't be throwing any punches in the sessions. (Well, hopefully not!)

I am a 110lb, thin-framed girl but I know how to (and have successfully done so) make a guy with…read morethe heft of a Philippine Volcano team member fall. I've also kicked an ex-US Marine in the face (during practice). Now that I've got your attention, I'd like to tell you about this self-defense school that teaches a practical way of defending yourself in the streets. I am an entry-level practitioner because I've been on and off in my lessons, but apart from truly enjoyable and fun sessions, Krav Maga has taught me how to be alert wherever I go, how to choose the safest spot in restaurants so you can exit fast during an emergency, and how to use regular objects as weapons. It traces its roots to Israel and is used by the Israeli Defense Forces. It teaches proper technique so that smaller built people like women can have a level playing field and defend themselves against bigger attackers who are usually men. Most satisfying is you can expend your pent-up energies and relieve stress by being a "basag-ulero" in a controlled setting. Meaning it teaches you to manage violence - to run away from and deflect conflict, but be able to apply just the right maneuver when the situation calls for it.

Took an introductory class and walked away feeling like I learned a lot about krav maga. It wasn't…read moretoo much of a workout since as a beginner, we had to learn basic stances & positions first, though I'm sure once you progress it gets more intense. My instructor was very helpful and pointed out different & harder variations of movements that were appropriate for my skill & fitness level. I was the only woman in the class, but felt comfortable throughout the hour and a half long session. We started with a fun warm up, then learning & practicing the attacks/counterattacks, and ended with a conditioning portion before cooling down. The instructor gave a good amount of water breaks and seemed very knowledgable about krav maga. I'm definitely planning on taking more classes from Krav Maga Philippines!

My brother goes here for Aikido. They definitely have good ventilation. And good instructors…read more According to my brother, they're very strict with code and attendance. Being late once for training would get you a warning. The next time, you're not allowed in anymore. You pay by the session. My brother has been attending Aikido classes since he was about 7 or 8 years old. He's one belt away from black. I never really knew why he didn't push through for the black belt. His instructors are top notch too. A good gym for martial arts, that's for sure.

First time here for the Manila Live 2026. Nice venue. Clean environment. Comfort Rooms are clean…read more No toilet tissue or hand soap - will need bring your own. For a huge arena I would have thought the score board would be bigger. Overall it was a great experience. I did not walk around to see if there were concessions.

The Rizal Memorial Sports Complex may mean different things to different people: football stadium…read moreto the Azkals fans, martial arts dojo for the taekwondo and wushu practitioners, or badminton/tennis court for the avid players, etc. But for me, it will always be my most memorable playground, a.k.a. the place where I learned to swim, only two years ago. The sports complex may be known for its Olympic size pool, once the hallowed training ground of the members of the Philippine Team. What most don't know is that there are actually three pools side by side in the pool area: a small diving pool, 16-feet deep, if I remember correctly, where our Olympics contenders have tested their mettle; and a regular pool, half of the Olympic-size, four-feet deep, where swimming classes for kids and students are often held. It was in the latter pool were I was taught to swim. We were already working then, but my friend (the one who cajoled a.k.a. coerced me into taking lessons with her) and I persevered through learning how to kick, using a kickboard, mastering the freestyle breath, and enduring humiliation from the kids in the water with us. We used to just pay Php 60 to get in and use the pool for the whole day. (We paid a different rate to the instructor. The guards and staff at the sports complex recommend contacts for those who want to learn.) Sadly, the pools were declared closed to the public a few years back. One can still swim with their accedited instructors' supervision, though, or with a special permit from management (which may be requested).

The PhilSports Complex, or "Ultra" caters mainly to the needs of national athletes, but is open to…read morethe public, for a small fee: P35 for the track oval; approximately P60 for the pool. Its sporting facilities have improved; they only recently reopened the track oval for use after being closed for over a year. The track and field area is still well-lit, cushioned for comfortable running, and the grass rehabilitated. I've come here to run during both the mornings and the evenings -- while it is cooler in the evening, there tends to be more people and less parking. And parking can be a problem. There are a few slots, which are not actually open for parking and I am not sure why. Going in the morning means less competition for parking, and less people. Besides the track oval, both whole teams and individuals come to Ultra to make use of the Olympic-size pool, and the field for frisbee, rugby, futbol, and martial arts. However, the toilets are disgusting. If you can, hold it in. You do not want to go into those (dis)comfort rooms. Opens at 5 AM; closes at 9 PM. They will be closed or at least be unavailable on some days without obvious notice. The guards at the main gate will not even know. They need to be more transparent about their special activities, or when they will not be open to the public.