I love this place! Lost a stone and a half and everybody was happy for me, especially the wife…read more Crowd is mixed, local, expatriate, prices are superb and definitely no ripping off. Had horrible experiences at other Makati boxing clubs and Empire represents Filipino hospitality! 24 hours and no appointments needed. 5 stars.

As recently being part of the work force, the value of time has become very important to me and…read morehaving time for my daily workout was something that I really had to put effort and plan for as of late because of busy working schedules. Thank god for Empire Boxing because this is also just but a mere walking distance from where I work, and apart from that, they are open 24 hours. Yes! 24 hours! So even if I get so busy with work during the day, I need not to worry because I could still make it on time. The coaches here are friendly, accommodating and very efficient at what they do. I am especially thankful for my regular trainer because when I was still a student, he was already the one who trained me in a different boxing gym back then. More than boxing, they also offer Muay Thai and cross-training exercises. The owner of the gym is also usually there and extends effort to get to know his customers and also offers his help in doing certain workouts. What I like most about working out here is the overall atmosphere and vibe of the people working out there. Everyone is generally friendly and definitely not an intimidating place to be in.

I've been going to this gym since 2012. Honestly, I'm really not athletic nor physical activity…read more Back in high school and college, Physical Education was my least favorite subject (practically failed the subject). BUT, when I started working, I started to feel the "heaviness" of my over-eating and over-drinking lifestyle. So, I guess it was a wake up call to lose weight and get fit! I tried out the gym (which BORED me!), spinning classes and even those calorie-count diets. None of these kept my interest. Then, a friend invited me to try out Boxing. During that time, PacMan was at the peak of his career. So, everyone was boxing for fitness or trying to be amateur boxers. For me, I thought it would be cool to wear wraps and just punch the heavy bags. :) My very first day at the gym was quite memorable. In a room full of guys, I was just 1 of 3 girls. Each student was assigned a personal trainer; I got Coach Steve. It was pretty easy at first: warm up, stretching, putting on the wraps. Then, he taught me the basic footwork + stance. When he saw I was comfy, we started with the punches. This went on for about 3 minutes (Round 1). Before Round 2 started, Coach Steve told me, "Ma'am, ang hina ng suntok mo. Ilabas mo galit mo! (Ma'am, you're punch is weak. Unleash your stress/anger!)". That surprised me! So, I DID! I just let it ALL out! He kept at it until we reached a total of 6 Rounds with the mits, 3 Rounds with the heavy bag, 3 Rounds with the hanging ball + an Ab Workout. I was sooo TIRED but happy that I even finished ALL of that on my very first day! After that, I was hooked. It's been 3 years and Coach Steve is still my trainer! Enjoying something is probably the number one reason why you'll stick to any routine and get better at it too. For me, boxing is FUN! Boxing is my workout and stress-reliever. Try it for yourself! Who knows, boxing could be that awesome exercise you've always wanted. :D P.S. - the reason I'm giving this a 4-Star is because the gym isn't a high-end gym. It's more like a boxer's stable. So, don't expect it to be clean and air-conditioned. The grunginess adds to the charm.

The Good: They have the best trainers, regardless of your skill level…read more The Bad: The showers leave much to be desired The Pro-Tip: If it's your first time, look for Steve or Powell! I've always been a fan of fighting! Even when I was a kid, I would spend summers learning Japanese Martial Arts like Aikido or Judo. Too bad boxing wasn't so big back then! Fast forward to decades later - here I am, looking for alternative sports to augment my boring gym routine. I lucked upon a friend who does boxing. He invited me to his gym which happened to be near my office so I decided, why the heck not? It was love at first sight! There are a lot of things I love about boxing: the science behind it, the discipline, the practicality. And yes of course, the workout! Boxing is a great form of exercise! It combines both aerobic and anaerobic workouts. Plus, it's very much scalable to your fitness level. Oh, and did I mention that hitting stuff is a great way to relieve stress? Onto the gym itself: Elorde Ortigas is very spacious. One of the biggest boxing gyms I've been to! Their prices are very reasonable specially since all training sessions are one-on-one. Since it's an Elorde gym, you know that you're getting the best professional training - all of their trainers are pro fighters or pro coaches (one of the perks of being in the Philippines). My one negative about this place are the showers. There's only one shower stall and it's not exactly the cleanest. So, shower at home if you have the option to! Will we be coming back? Yes, at least 3 times a week!

As obvious from most of my reviews, I could stand to lose a lot of pounds. All that eating does not…read moredo me good. I tried a lot of exercise too, from gyms, where the cheap ones are deficient and the better ones are too expensive, to walking, where I was out of breath not from effort but rather the smoke from all the vehicles. In short, none of them are fun. You know what's fun though? Boxing. You're constantly moving, constantly sweating, and it's more or less a full-body workout. And thanks to a certain someone, I went ahead and joined a boxing gym. Elorde, in Makati Ave. and I was right, this place is fun. Pumping loud music from big speakers (at this time, unfortunately, a mix of Jason Derulo and house music, I don't know why), this gym boasts of shower rooms (segregated, and a unisex one), a boxing ring (duh) and competent boxing trainers, whose approach to your goals of fitness, though varied and unique to each trainer, all center around how well you can throw punches AND not get hit. While not as fancy as, say, more upscale boxing and fitness gyms, this gym does give you that unique taste of how boxing REALLY is. It even comes with a resident old timer, a trainer affectionately called "Tatay". If ever you go there, look for Vic.

Five years ago, I started boxing, and I haven't stopped since. It's a great exercise and it also…read morehelps your self-defense. Unlike team sports where you need to gather a group, which can be very difficult as you get older, you can just go alone and train/spar with your trainer. I've tried many gyms through the years, but the longest I've stuck with, the one I currently go to, is Elorde at Makati Ave. Admittedly, it's not the newest or most advanced boxing gym out there. One could even describe it as gritty. But if you're like me who doesn't really care about how sleek a gym and its facilities should be, then you'd like it here too. For me, it adds to the testosterone of the place. As long as they have working equipment and good trainers, I'll be alright. The music there changes from day to day. You've got hip-hop, pop, house, pop, and sometimes, OPM ballads... Someday, I will play my iPod there (they allow). The training is rigorous and thorough. The trainers are professionals who can adjust to what kind of training style you want or need. While some want to improve their fighting skills, others just want to lose weight. If you're a fan of no-nonsense boxing, this might be the right place for you.

I have nothing but positive remarks about FIST GYM. The atmosphere screams hard work and…read morededication will get you results. The coaching staff are patient and considerate. They will breakdown techniques for you and help you step by step. As a foreigner looking for a BJJ gym to continue my training I couldn't have found a better spot. This is the gym for anyone who wants to work hard. I look forward to training at FIST GYM when I go back to Manila.

Best Muay Thai gym in Metro Manila! They have a syllabus from beginners to advance. Other Muay Thai…read moregyms just teach you how to do jab-straight-kick and it becomes a monotonous routine. Fist Gym trainers adhere to a set of standards that really teaches you the art of Muay Thai. Great for fitness enthusiasts and for competitive athletes as well!

Everyone seems to be getting fit nowadays and I believe that there is no better way of doing it…read moreother than eating right and getting proper exercise. I was an active member of Elorde Boxing Gym in Don Antonio back in 2010 to 2013 and of all the sports that I've been involved to, Boxing and Muay Thai training is by far the most strenuous and most calorie-burning physical exercise for me. Elorde has definitely sweated a hell lot of fat from me! The biggest weight loss I had was with their Muay Thai and Boxing programs. For sure, you've seen a lot of Elorde branches around the metro. I've tried Lagro, Katipunan and Don Antonio branches and I can tell that all maintains quality services and facilities. All of the branches were accessible to me but I find it more comfortable and at home with the trainers in Don Antonio because they train beginners and advanced students better than the others that I've worked with. They know how to engage and motivate their students one step at a time with proper combat and martial arts discipline and eventually hardcore training! Also, the best part about Elorde training is the mandatory post work-out massage that's surely gonna pass you out. If you're looking for an indoor activity to sweat you out this coming rainy season, I suggest you try Elorde Gym. To me, it's better to be fit with skill training than weights and other gym machines. You can check out www.elordeboxinggym.com for rates and details.

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've been coming to Primal Ape for almost a year now and it still feels like the best decision I…read moremade for myself. I walked in super nervous--zero lifting experience, just some random home workouts--and thought I'd probably embarrass myself within the first five minutes. Nope. The coaches (shoutout to Coach Anton especially) scaled everything perfectly for me from day one. They're tough when you need a push but so patient and genuinely happy when you hit a new PR, even if it's just a little one. The box is massive, the energy is electric, and somehow the community makes you want to show up even on days you feel like dying. I've made actual friends here--people who cheer for you during the WOD and ask how your week was after class. It's cheesy to say, but it really does feel like a second family. The workouts are brutal (those damn burpees still haunt me), but seeing my body get stronger, faster, and more capable week after week is addictive. I'm sleeping better, eating more (and enjoying it), and honestly just feel like a more confident version of myself. Five stars aren't enough. If you're even a tiny bit curious, just go try a class. You won't regret it.

Simulan na ang pagsusuri mo...The first rule of crossfit: never shut up about crossfit. And I'm…read moreabout to fulfill that rule. Yep, I used to make fun of the cult (albeit lovingly), but now I'm part of the cult and quite happy about it. Primal Ape is a Crossfit box that offers two fitness packages: Crossfit and Bootcamp. If you avail of the Bootcamp package, that's all you get, but if you sign up for Crossfit, you can also take Bootcamp classes. The crossfit package is naturally pricier, though. You can google the difference between Bootcamp and a WOD (Workout of the Day). But basically, bootcamp is mostly bodyweight. Crossfit's where you do all the #doyouevenliftbro-level weights stuff. Both are exercises done in groups, although the coach keeps watch of everyone. No spotting, though. But that's okay because the coaches will teach you how to handle the weights properly, and also, they're bouncy weights. Like literally, if you drop them, they bounce! I heard that Crossfit gyms are called boxes. And from what I've seen, Primal Ape's box is HUGE compared to most other Crossfit establishments locally. It's literally an entire warehouse. As of the time this review was written, construction is not done yet, since right now it's very new. The establishment has no aircon, which I like. SWEAT HARD. NO PAIN NO GAIN. Ahem. Equipment include rowing machines, weighted balls, kettlebells, barbells, ring rows, pullup stations, mats, foam rollers, jump ropes, wooden boxes (for jumping on and off, I don't know what you call them.) The entire box also spans a 100m run. I was with Primal Ape since its roots. Well it's actually still roots level right now, haha. But during their beta testing, I availed of a 2 week free trial for Bootcamp, and I liked the workout AND the environment in the box so much that I never stopped until I signed up for the actual Crossfit package. Which, by the way, shouldn't deter you if you're new to it, since there is a Foundations class. And mind you, I never ever used any equipment or worked out at a gym before doing crossfit. Okay, so you know what you're getting into and so you know how much you, too, can do this, I might as well give you my physical background: I used to do Bikram Yoga, and I work out nearly everyday (I stream cardio, abs and HIIT stuff on Youtube), but I'm also anemic. I have been completing the WODs just fine. Well, okay, not just fine, my butt gets kicked every single time, but in the best possible way. Take note these workouts are ruthless and brutal, but very rewarding. But if a scrawny little pipsqueak like me can handle them, then YOU can. Provided you don't have health concerns that directly conflict with this form of fitness, naturally. If getting into crossfit worries you about certain medical repercussions, I'd suggest consulting with a doctor before you go ahead and sign up for classes, or inquire with any of the coaches or partners at Primal Ape. They are very nice, honest and will tell you if you should take Crossfit or not. Speaking of the coaches and partners, they do a really good job at building the environment in the box. First timers are told to "sing, dance, or say something about yourself" which immediately warms people up to each other. The coaches and regulars initially only seem intimidating because they're BEASTS. But they're all really nice, and encouraging and motivating and understanding that fitness is a process and you can't be a great crossfitter off the bat. They'll help you push yourself. Head Coach Anton, who handles the WOD classes and the foundation classes (but also does some Bootcamp classes) is actually the Hulk. No, kidding aside, he's extremely helpful. His criticisms, praise and encouragement are quick, concise and effective.. Hey, just like CrossFit! Since I started with Primal Ape, I've been the fittest I've ever looked and felt. But I'm also eating a lot more, for the record. I'm normally squeamish about group exercises since I'm a terrible introvert, but I like the community a lot and I've already made some new friends. I feel a sense of very healthy and supportive "competition." But really, the only person you're truly competing with here is yourself, BOOM CHEESY FITNESS MOTIVATION LINE. True, though. I mean it. Some closing pieces of information: If there are certain movements you really can't do properly yet, the coach will tailor the requirements of the movements for you. The locker rooms are air conditioned, well equipped, basic and clean. Also, the rug will get you dirty for sure. You will get down on all fours and on your back a lot. It's easy to book classes, I do it through an app called MindBodyConnect. They offer classes in the morning, lunch break, and after work hours. They have morning and 4pm classes on Saturdays. The gym is closed on Sunday. You'll need lots of sports bras and a change of clothes. The sweat is merciless. You will learn to love Burpees... ... enough to make you hate them a little less.

My brother is a fitness monster. He has been working on his fitness routines ever since he was…read morefourteen years old. Today, he's one of the fittest people I know who works out a couple of hours a day and practices Jiu Jitsu. He competes locally, wins medals, and has more plans of competing abroad. We're all very proud of him and many people admire his discipline. I'm not one who religiously goes to the gym because I like to change up my workouts and try different things. Whenever I would train at the gym, I would always try to find new workouts and try to improve my conditioning and strength. When my brother challenged me to try his gym work outs, I met his strength and conditioning coach Jay and I took on his program. In just a matter of a few months, I switched to clean eating and training with him. The results were amazing and I found myself sleeping better, up early in the morning and looking forward to the new challenge Coach Jay had for me. My body became stronger and my old injuries that were limiting my physical activities went away. I know many people find it hard and challenging to try a new routine because I was one of those people. However, I believe its a matter of finding the right coach or program that will target your specific needs and help you reach your goals. RX is one of the simplest yet most effective places you can commit to and I strongly advise those looking for any form of programs such as the following that RX offers: Clinical and corrective exercise, Athletic Performance Enhancement/Strength And Conditioning, Body Conposition Training (Fat Loss/Weight Gain), Martial Arts Strength and Conditioning, Fitness for Older Adults, Youth Strength and Conditioning. All their workouts and programs are custom designed and prescribed to your own limitations and what you want to achieve. This I think is the best way to help your body find the right balance and improve your overall condition!