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The coronavirus disease 2019 or more commonly known as COVID-19 has forever changed how we live.

Without any vaccine for this highly-contagious disease, we humans have to adapt to a new world it has created. Using face masks in public is a must and social distancing is a norm.

One of the industries that suffered the most brought about by this global pandemic are gyms and fitness centers.

As of September 1, gyms in Metro Manila and areas under the General Community Quarantine (GCQ) are allowed to operate albeit at 30% capacity.

What does the future hold for gyms and fitness centers? Will the industry adapt or collapse under the new normal?

In an exclusive chat with fitness instructor and book author Julian Roxas, we ask him to share his thoughts about the challenges gyms and fitness centers will have to deal with in the coming months or even years.

Julian published an e-book titled 120 Days of CrossBuilding and has also appeared in television as an actor.

He candidly admits in this interview with GMANetwork.com via video conference that because of the closure of gyms, he lost approximately 30 to 40% of his income.

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Lockdown Day 66/79: since we're not allowed to go back to school. (MBA - Lyceum Go Pirates) I'll just check in first period at Bakal University. Today's lesson: Fasted weight lifting

A post shared by Julian Roxas (@julsfitph) on May 17, 2020 at 7:29pm PDT

Julian shares, “Malaki [nawala sa akin], kasi one client could range from P8,000 to P12,000. One client, 12 sessions depende sa program. Maka-apat lang ako for one month, okay na ako.”

Dark days ahead

The future of gyms and all related businesses look bleak as of the moment. According to Julian the odds are stacked against the industry.

He points out that one of the biggest challenges for them is convincing people that it is safe to go back to gyms and fitness studios.

“Honestly, it's going to be very-very challenging, napaka-dilim pa rin ng future ng industry namin. Isipin mo, sige let's say magkaroon nga ng vaccine and the gyms reopen,

“They are not going to reopen like before, siyempre magi-start sila at 50% capacity. Magi-increase sa 60% siguro pinaka-max 70% capacity.”

Julian then elaborates, “Even if magbukas 'yung mga gym, even at that capacity hindi pare-pareho ang iniisip ng tao, there is still fear and takot pa rin sila regardless [if] there is a vaccine, whether the ban is lifted, [may] takot pa rin.”

“So what would happen, kailangan talaga ma-maximize 'yung online training. And not a lot of the clients are techie, not a lot have laptops or are willing to learn this new e-commerce. So, the future for this industry is very dark as of the moment, pero marami pa rin lumalaban.

“So, saludo po ako sa inyo (fitness professionals) na hindi pa naghahanap ng ibang trabaho, I see still a lot of [them] creating online programs.”

With the pandemic disrupting the work for many fitness trainers like him, he observed that a lot of them, including himself, took a while to figure out how they will stay fit.

Julian explains, “In terms of staying fit ano 'yung difficulties? First of all unahin po natin 'yung nawalan tayo ng second home para maging fit--that is our gym, fitness studios, however you do your fitness activities mapa-sports man, mapa-gym man, aerobics.

“So, it took a while for a lot of us para ma-figure out kung ano puwede natin gawin instead of [going and using the gym].”

He observed that most of his colleagues in the fitness industry decided to do online workouts during the lockdown to at least generate some income.

Furthermore, without access to a myriad of gym equipment, they had to devise new programs for their clients too.

“As for my trainer friends and fellow instructors sila naman they were able to do workout from home videos. I'm very thankful para sa mga brands na kumuha sa akin para gumawa ng workout from home videos, so 'yun 'yung mga naging challenges.”

“We had to create new programs para sa aming mga trainer, kailangan namin gumawa ng program which is applicable for all, hindi ko puwede asahan na 'yung kliyente ko may barbell sa bahay, so we had to create programs wherein you use completely nothing but your body weight, so that's one of the biggest challenges,” Julian adds.

Easy workout you can do at home

With no assurance of regular gym operations returning anytime soon, Julian Roxas mentions three exercises you can do in the comfort of your home, which will give you the same intensity that you have been missing when using gym equipment.

1. Climbing stairs

You can use the stairs at home or the stairwell of the fire exit in your building.

Julian stresses that climbing up and down the stairs is an excellent workout for anyone.

“Para sa mga condo unit gamitin n'yo 'yung stairs. Very-very helpful,

“Before the lockdown I was [preparing] for a competition and I was 165 lbs. Nung nag-lockdown nagkabiglaan hindi natin alam kung magbubukas pa 'yung grocery. I would eat as if it was my last, so umabot ako ng 195 lbs.

“And then I started use using the stairs. Start ka with no weights, stairs ka lang. So sa the bulding namin mayroon kaming 17 floors, ginagawa namin 'yan four rounds or try mo 45 minutes. Sasakit 'yung katawan mo pero grabe.”

He adds that the extra difficulty of climbing at a higher altitude is good for you heart as well.

“No need to buy anything and sabi nga If you are training at a higher altitude, your heart rate works faster and if your heart rate is working faster, your burning fats.”

2. No bench press, no problem

Are you still dreaming of getting that Captain America chest? If you are used to doing bench presses, then Julian suggests to do some push ups instead to build those pectoral muscles.

“Ang favorite na ginagamit ng tao mayrun tayong bench press, 'pag pumupunta ka ng gym hindi mawawala yan, you will always see some doing bench press.”

“So what can we do, push up lang.”

3. Squats

pexels.com

Don't skip leg day they say. So doing squat exercises is a must and should be included in your routine.

“Another work out, squats. Usually maglalagay ng barbell [points to shoulder] tig-45 lbs pinaka-basic. Instead of that air squats, siguro [do] 20 reps at four sets.”

Staying fit during these times is imperative and should not be taken for granted.

Because a strong and healthy body is one of our best defenses against COVID-19. Time to sweat it out!

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