Making life worthwhile through exercise
Agroup of friends asked me if I wanted to enroll in the gym. Thinking that I neither have the time nor the patience to participate in extra-curricular activities, I flatly refused. I have never been fond of exercise, except for swimming and occasional Pilates sessions.
Stress caused by work and peer pressure compelled me to join my friends. What I did not expect was that two years later, I would become a regular gym goer, too. Maintaining an active lifestyle eased my period cramps — a sensation most women find absolutely unbearable. Despite having a stressful day in the office, an hour of workout leaves me feeling relaxed and moderately exhausted. I’ve learned later on that this has helped me sleep comfortably at night.
Some people just can’t manage to squeeze in a little physical activity after performing hours of mentally-draining tasks at work. But according to Jemie A. Adjad, a personal fitness instructor for 17 years, 10 to 15 minutes of cardio workout or swimming is enough, especially for beginners.
To prepare your body for functional training, such as weights and squats, you can do ten days of 10-minute cardio exercises.
This was how my friends and I started during our first few gym sessions. Fortunately, the Body Garage and Fitness Center in Grand Regal Hotel in Lanang, Davao City has facilities and members that do not intimidate. ¬
Aside from students, most of the gym members also work full-time on weekdays. Jemie said that they accept a wide range of client profiles, from teenagers to the elderly, and even people with hypertension. These members have something in common which most people lack: discipline.
If you don’t feel comfortable running or lifting weights, the gym has a studio for Zumba, aerobics, or yoga sessions where you can do mat-based workouts. There are just so many equipment and activities designed for all body types; there is simply no excuse to not find the workout routine that suits your capacity and mood.
Everyone has distinct body goals. I’ve met several people who gave up gym, believing that effects would immediately manifest after three sessions. Remember that it would take a lot more than 24 sit-ups for muscles to take shape.
Here in Davao City, fitness centers have proliferated in the last few years. It has become a trend to promote active lifestyle not just among athletes, but among teenagers, mothers, and young professionals as well.
Jemie said that exercise, coupled with balanced diet, is just among the factors that contribute to having a healthy lifestyle. Learning how to manage time, especially for those who work on a hectic schedule, makes room for more activities that make life worth living.