■ NEED HELP WITH YOUR FITNESS GOALS? YOU'LL FIND IT AT THIS NEW BOOT CAMP
Are you up for some challenges? Let Coach Junery Andales help you tackle the obstacles at the Gorilla Boot Camp, an outdoor facility that he runs in Mandaue City.
If you are up for a tough adventure, 26-year-old Junery Andales, FIT Certifitified Personal Trainer will take you on a thrill at the Gorilla Boot Camp, Mandaue City’s new fully operational outdoor obstacle race facility. Zup tags along with Coach Junery as he tackles the series of muddy obstacle course the Gorilla Boot Camp has to offer; and of course, he shares his “secrets” to living a fit and healthy lifestyle.
What is Gorilla Boot Camp?
Conceptualized in 2017, the Gorilla Boot Camp is an outdoor facility composed of several obstacles. It is Cebu’s newest and only open field boot camp that is pioneering in the Obstacle Course Race (OCR) training revolution. It is also a good training facility for those elite racers who want to test their practical performance. We opened the Gorilla Boot Camp to help anyone engage in obstacle races, and to help everyone, especially the children and youth, to be more active rather than be busy with their gadgets. We are located in Brgy. Labogon in Mandaue City.
Can anyone join the boot camp? What’s in store for the participants?
Anyone who is physically fit can join us. If you are someone who just wants to experience something new in obstacle racing, you are very much welcome to join. We cater and create categories for both elite athletes and beginners. More people are now into OCR, so we have weekend obstacle race sessions for them. The camp excites the sports and athletic communities to a whole new level, with the elements of adventure and fun brought by the OCR revolution and experience.
What change do you want to see in your participants?
As a certified metapwr and metafit coach and professional fitness trainer, I hope to change the perspective of every participant, show them that OCR is fun and is for everyone in any fitness level.
FITNESS. (Top) Coach Junery does an archer pullup workout for core strengthening. (Left) He also demonstrates the right body posture and technique in doing a Tire Flip and (right) shows the positive outlook that OCR brings at the Gorilla Boot Camp. CONTRIBUTED FOTOS / PAUL KEINER
What made you interested in fitness and healthy living?
I was a track and field athlete in college and it’s because of that sport that I finished my studies. I became interested in fitness and coaching when my coach appointed me as the team captain and let me handle the entire USC Track & Field team when I was 17. Coaching for me is not just a passion and profession, it is my calling.
What’s your fitness and nutrition plan like?
I don’t have a diet plan. I eat five to 10 cups of rice every meal with protein like fish, beef, pork, chicken, any vegetable and fruit. I really do take in a lot of calories but I always make sure that I burn the extra calories. That is why I regularly do my workout trainings.
How important is fitness?
Fitness and nutrition must be considered a priority for every individual. Doing regular fitness and eating healthy food will always be beneficial to our body.
What’s your advice to the youth who want to start living a healthy lifestyle?
start exercising regularly. Exercise has huge benefits for everyone; you will see a big change not just in your physical appearance but also in the emotional, psychological, spiritual aspects of your life.
What can participants expect from The Big Gorilla Challenge?
The Big Gorilla Challenge is happening this Sept. 2 at the Gorilla Boot Camp. There will be a number of challenges and obstacles. To join, you may visit race.ph/ gorilla or follow our Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/gorillabootcampcebu for more info.