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.

It started out as a random thought in one of our many conversations, but I'd like to thank my best…read morefriend for actually getting me to do Pilates this summer at White Space, because there's just so much to love about it. We were total beginners with no clue what was in store when we signed up for a trial. Now four regular sessions in, Mondays and Wednesdays have become our favorite days of the week because of them. Our wonderful instructor, Rissah, has a meditative approach to teaching the class. I love how we do warm-up and cool-down centering to send our daily worries away as we slowly melt into our mats. I love how some workflows are intense and others are more relaxed as she adjusts the main exercises for the night depending on the general mood of her students. I love how, even if I'm sore from all my muscles being stretched out to the max, I still have a fulfilled smile on my face when the hour's up. This beautiful space is more than just a weekly reminder to stay healthy, inspired, strong, focused, and mindful about myself and everything around me. I guess I've found my happy place.

Have you ever tried watching any Rocky movies with its tear-jerking yet awe-inspiring scenes where…read moreyou see the underdog overcome crazy adversaries after training in rundown gyms or makeshift equipment? When in Quezon City, training with UP's UPAK is basically the Karate version of that! Running on a makeshift dojo found at the roof deck of UP Diliman's Vanguard, this Shotokan Karate club is open to anyone who's looking to break a sweat and learn to break bones in the process. Though the makeshift dojo is littered with dirt and broken tiles - which you have to train on barefooted - punching, kicking and screaming your way through its 2-hour sessions are definitely worthwhile! And believe it or not, UPAK is also a dojo that keeps producing medalists in local competitions, hence, you can expect their training sessions to be as crazy as it is fulfilling. So, if you're looking for an alternative fitness regimen for the summer, studying the old art of Karate with Quezon City's toughest is definitely one thing you should try!

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!

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!!!!

Before I ended up at a CrossFit gym along Maginhawa last year, I was looking around the area for…read moredifferent fitness options. I figured that Spartacus Workout Fitness and Martial Arts would be a good try for me because I really needed to give myself a workout as my lifestyle is getting more and more sedentary. Plus, knowing self-defense in the city could come in handy. PROS: They offer a variety of classes like mixed martial arts, muay thai, wrestling, grappling, and a whole myriad of combat sports. It has a vibe that gives off high-octane competitive fitness not for the faint of heart. CONS: It was a bit expensive for the facilities, which were mostly worn out and needed updating. Maybe I'm just maarte; This gym is the epitome of gym-timidation for me. I entered the place and it was packed with burly muscular men grunting and beating each other up. I felt that a noob like me who just wanted to lose weight has no place in this place of competitive fighting; It doesn't help as well that the front desk person just stared at me (like I was being sized up) and gave me a flyer when I asked how I could start, what should I do, or what stuff I'd need. TL;DR: I ended up not enrolling here after checking it out. If you're looking for an MMA gym, and you're not a noob like me, this might be the place for you.

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!

There are more than a couple of ways to get fit. Some would take diets, some perhaps would try out…read morea casual weekend sport but some would take it to the far end of the spectrum. Dedicated to serving as a home for the hardcore, this gym is where the term beast mode may perhaps be its regulars during warm up. Filled with a comprehensive set of gym equipment and also an array of martial arts sessions that would range from pure MMA to pure boxing; prepare to feel and look like an action star here as they're about to make you one! So, whether you're after weight loss or probably some body building, well whatever it may be actually, best visit this house of hardcore and they'll give you the grind that you'd need!

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.