I love to run for exercise, but I get bored running on treadmills (also too cheap to have a gym…read moremembership) and it doesn't make sense to me to have to travel somewhere (like to UP Diliman, which would be a nice, proper example) to go running. I suppose I've been blessed to be living in a greener, less dense part of the city, which is why I love to just put on running shoes and go all over New Manila every chance I get. I know it's a little strange to be making a review on a general area, but I love New Manila because it's really easy to run in. It's almost a grid so it's easy to navigate, the only traffic is during rush hour on the major roads going from Aurora to E. Rod, and most of those are one-way--cars may be going a little faster than they should on a residential area, but at least you know they'll only be coming from one direction (unless some a-hole decides to go otherwise). I see people sometimes running in the Makati CBD or in the Fort, which I find a little sad since they're running in a dreary concrete jungle. New Manila has a lot of trees to take shade in and a lot of pretty houses and places to look at, like the Mt. Carmel Church. Sometimes you even get to visit places you wouldn't think twice about, like Art Camp Bezalel along Hemady or Connie's Kitchen Deli along Broadway. You might be sweaty and winded coming in, but at least you're there.

S.P.R.A.W.L. has been around for decades and if not for its obscure location, I bet this gym would…read morebe full all times of the day because it normally is in the afternoon. The first time I looked for this gym I got lost for an hour around Cubao on the verge of tears. Then I found it nearby Mang Inasal on the Southbound lane of EDSA. It's in front of a bus station and a bit of a walk from the MRT so you practically get your warm-up from the walk. And the sights are fun. Ukay ukay shops, hardware stores and other places with various knick knacks line the sidewalk towards the gym. But anyway, the gym is pretty run-down but you aren't paying fo the facilities really. I still get a decent bath in their de-tabo bathroom. You pay for the training which is one on one with the coaches. I find this a lot more effective than classes because the coach really focuses on your weaknesses. I asked him once how to get abs like his and he snorted and told me, "If you train to get abs, you lose the soul of the art." Well, idol niya si Bruce Lee and I never did get my abs but I got my crappy kicks to improve like a mofo. Also they have the lowest rates at Php200 or Php180 per session which can last as long as you want hahahaha.

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.

For those who are living in the Guadalupe area looking for a fitness facility that is cheap but…read moreprovides quality service, you might want to check out Gymbassy. Located near the barangay hall of Guadalupe Nuevo, Gymbassy caters mostly to residents of nearby barangays who are looking for a quick and cheap workout session. Though the venue is relatively small, the gym is pretty well equipped with basic things any gym rat would need. Though they don't have any treadmill for cardio workouts, you can use their stationary bike to start off your session and break a sweat. The gym is not air conditioned since most of their members prefer an open-air workout place. Probably not the best place to do your work-outs during the summer season (INSANE HEAT!!!) but at night, the cool air breeze is enough to set a more comfortable room temperature. What's fascinating about Gymbassy is that they offer one-on-one TRX sessions. If you're interested, make sure to book an appointment at least a day before your workout. As early as 6 in the morning, clients schedule their TRX sessions with coach Mark Banta who will only need around 30-45 minutes to do one full session of TRX workout. You can check with him directly regarding the rates of the one-on-one TRX sessions. Coach Mark is actually a good friend of mine and I've seen his work. He's gotten a bit popular in the workout world, having a couple of local celebs choosing him to oversee their workouts. I have yet to try to have a session with him but I'll probably jump at the chance when I'm not so lazy anymore. Haha. Anyway! TRX sessions are advisable for people who don't have much time to spare to workout due to their busy schedules. Some clients schedule their TRX classes before going to work, which according to coach Mark, is better since you still have enough energy to condition your mind to workout rather that doing it after work. You can workout at Gymbassy at a very cheap rate of 45 pesos per session (TRX not included). Gymbassy also sells bananas and hard-boiled eggs, perfect for your pre-workout food. You can also purchase thirst quenchers like Gatorade, although the gym does offer free distilled water.

There are gyms that have too much going on. There are gyms that have to little to offer. Anytime…read moreFitness in New Manila, Quezon City is just right for me. If you're a gym body that does not care for the frou frou of some of the more mainstream gyms, such as offering teas or coffee, sauna or steam bath, and all the other things that have no relation to fitness whatsoever, then you should check out this gym. Anytime Fitness is an all-day-all-night fitness gym concept that entered the Philippines in 2014. Their philosophy is that access to gyms should be available to all, especially those that end work at unusual times of the day. They also believe that one should not have any excuse for not going to the gym. So Anytime Fitness guarantees that they are open to serve you when you want to go to the gym. Out of the 3 branches of Anytime Fitness, the New Manila branch, in my opinion, is the most conducive for working out. The arrangement of the weight lifting equipment are well thought of. The white walls mixed with their trademark purple makes you feel engaged in training. Their cardiovascular equipment are very high-tech, too. You can surf the Web or plug in your favorite device while you're on the treadmill. Ain't that neat? Take away: a perfect gym for those that actually intend to work out when they go the gym

I have tried calling their contact number for inquiries but no one answers. Not a good impression!read more