Crossfit MNL is a very friendly place for Drop-In. They are all very nice and they all speak…read moreEnglish. The floor where people work out is getting old and used, which is making it very "crumby"...literally. It's not great, but it's ok. The facility is decent where it does have showers. They have pullup bars everywhere. They only have hard balls for wallballs. I noticed they do not have rowers and I only saw one bike or GHD's. I assume those workouts are limited. Most of the workouts with did were barbell and pullup related. I actually went here during the Open and it was very easy to get on the list. Not exaclty organized. Not sure if they had a Friday Night Light set up like we do in the states. I would recommend going here again for the friendly service and very close to Greenbelt. Thank you for the drop-in!

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!

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.

The Zone Badminton Court has one of the best locker rooms among all the badminton courts that I've…read morebeen to within its price range. Nicely laid badminton court mat. However, some courts are damaged and they just patched the damages instead of replacing them. White stuff coming from the ceiling also fall down which I assume are bird feathers. They did not even bother to fix the damaged lights. Most of the staff are either lazy or rude. I have only come across two staff members who are nice so far (mostly women). Half of the time that we go there, they do not automatically turn on the exhaust on each court. We either have to turn it on ourselves or go back to the counter to ask them to turn it on, which, of course, consumes the time that we paid. Rudest of all is the guy receptionist who I think is on his late 20s or 30s. He once switched the light off of our court when we just started playing. When approached, not even one apology was heard from that guy or from any of the staff present. This guy also tends to answer sarcastically. They also have a very inconsistent rescheduling policy. Or so said this guy. We have asked to reschedule more than once before this incident because of an unexpected conflict on our schedule. We thought that that would be better instead of cancelling. All of the receptionists that we talked to have always been happy to accommodate this. However, on one eventful day, same receptionist guy said that they don't allow rescheduling even if it is on the same time period that we have scheduled and that it should be done at least 2 days before our supposed schedule. That is the first time that we have heard of that policy although guy insists that that is always how things go. Weird how that is not how it always was for us and only happened when he was the one we're talking to. When asked about this rescheduling fiasco and the unwarranted-turning-off-of-the-court-lights-incident, this receptionist guy even taunted that we should go there so we can discuss it in person. AGAIN, NO APOLOGY WAS HEARD. They suck at complaint resolution. Lastly, expect that when your schedule is near their closing time, they will turn off your court light without any warning 1-2 minutes before the supposed end of your playing time.

I've been to many badminton courts in the Metro, but The Zone remains to be my favorite. For one,…read moreit is conveniently located if one lives and works within Makati CBD. After work, I just walk to the court. I don't need to bring my car, even if there are ample street parking slots in front of the building. The Zone has a total of fifteen standard badminton courts. Six of which have wood flooring, while nine are equipped with Taraflex material. There's also a basketball court complete with digital scoring system. The shower and comfort rooms are air-conditioned and personal lockers are also available. A food stall in the receiving area makes sure that players don't have to worry about drinks and food. If you forget to bring accessories, there's even a small store that offers sports socks, apparel, and other badminton stuff. Recently, The Zone improved its security by placing surveillance cameras in strategic places inside and outside the building. With this, fees and court rentals have slightly increased. At present, the entrance fee is PHP 75.00 per person. During peak hours, weekends, and holidays, you can rent a Taraflex court for PHP 300.00 per hour, while a wood court can be used for PHP 250.00 an hour. A play-all-you-can promo is available during weekdays from 6:00am to 5:00pm for just PHP 150.00 per person. The basketball court rate is PHP 1,500.00 per hour during off-peak time and PHP 2,000.00 for peak hours.

The trainers here do not give a damn what you think, they really will put you through the most…read moregrueling workout until you keel over from exhaustion, and it's just what I need to not need a forklift to carry my coffin when I die, instead of a hearse. I'm an admittedly, um, horizontally-challenged individual, and I wanted to get fitter, and I thought it would be nice to lose some weight while also learning something. Boxing seemed a solid way to go, so one afternoon I headed to the Elorde Boxing Gym in front of La Salle and signed up for one session with a trainer. I thought he'd just show me the ropes and let me ease into what I hoped would be a nice routine. I was wrong. He made me run lap after lap around the gym, and THEN we went through rigorous warm-up routines. Before the warm-up was even over, I was puking my guts out in the bathroom. But I soldiered on. I did shadow-boxing drills over and over again, and then he paired me up with a petite college girl who then proceeded to wipe the floor with me a la Scarlett Johansson and Jon Favreau in Iron Man 2. It was humiliating, and I haven't gone back since. But that's more of a reflection on me than it was on the gym. There's no false advertising here. They give you what they say they'll give you. There's no coddling, no extended rests. You sweat and you lose weight. Nothing less.

Great gym Great trainers…read more Love this place I recommend this place if you live in the area . Sports Related

I first heard about PlanaFORMA through a couple of friends who became trainers. See, if you've ever…read moredoubted the fitness trainers of gyms or gotten bored with the usual thing, PlanaFORMA could be the workout for you! PlanaFORMA offers a class syllabus that is set to sculpt your body by toning the muscles we don't get to use every day. They'll concentrate on small movements that really get your inner muscles working! And the best thing about PlanaFORMA is that you're taught by dancers who have performed with the top dance companies in the country, so you know they know what they're talking about! They have classes with different themes, like Forma Endurance, Forma Strength, Forma Core, and one that mixes their syllabus with yoga. They also offer yoga and Zumba classes, though I haven't tried those yet! The weirdest thing though: the studio in Makati is found on the 14th floor of the Frabelle building, but you'll have to press 17th on the elevator. What a weird building.

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'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.