Staying in shape, making friends at fitness centers

Staying in shape, making friends at fitness centers

Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Clad in casual attire, dozens of people including models
Davina Veronica and Catherine Wilson gathered at a spacious hall
in the basement of Pondok Indah Mall II in South Jakarta
recently.

Most of them were listening to a speech by Celebrity Fitness
director John Franklin, while others were chatting with their
associates.

It was the opening of the Celebrity Fitness outlet in the new
mall.

"The concept that we pioneered has received a positive
response from the public. More and more people are joining our
clubs. In appreciation of their response, we provide only the
best facilities at our outlets," said Franklin.

The Rp 21 billion (about US$2.1 million) outlet is Celebrity
Fitness's fourth in town. Aside from the four outlets in Jakarta,
it also has two outlets in Surabaya, East Java.

Miskad, a fitness instructor who has been in the business for
12 years, agreed that more and more people are now going to
fitness centers.

This is because people are becoming more aware of the
importance of health and the benefits of exercise to stay
healthy. In addition, more fitness centers have been established
in the city, which makes them more accessible to most people.

"Previously, being a gym member was a privilege of the
wealthy. Now, there are many fitness centers which offer a range
of fees from the lowest to the most expensive," said Miskad, who
is also a fitness consultant and club manager.

The growing number of fitness centers also means competition
among fitness centers has become stiffer. This has prompted the
fitness centers to aim to provide the best service at the best
price. One of the strategies is to offer the latest aerobics
program to customers.

"Usually, people are interested in a new exercise or program.
In a short period, it become a new trend," he added.

While many people come to fitness centers to lose weight, some
of them come to relax.

Thus, people visit fitness clubs not only to get into shape,
but also as a stress reliever.

"The main reason I work out is to maintain my stamina and to
keep in shape," said Handoko, a copywriter at a public relations
company in Cempaka Putih, Central Jakarta.

Handoko, who is in his mid 30s, however, acknowledged aside
from health and relaxation, he came to the club to seek new
friends.

He said that he exercised four times a week at the New
Physical Studio near his office.

Handoko added that at the fitness center, he once met a girl
-- an attractive girl with black hair, clear skin and a nice
smile -- with whom he now has a relationship.

Fajar Hermawan, also in his mid 30s, said that he joined the
fitness club to maintain his stamina.

"I exercise at least twice a week. Our office recommends that
its employees exercise to stay healthy," said Fajar who exercises
at Klub Ade Rai in South Jakarta.

Like Handoko, Fajar comes to the fitness club not only to
exercise, but also to relax with colleagues and seek new friends.

Miskad added that the interaction among customers was possible
because they joined the aerobics classes. However, there are also
cases where customers want intensive exercise guided by a
personal trainer.

In personal training, a customer will go through exercises
like body pump (barbell class), body combat (martial arts), rpm
(cycling), body balance (tai chi and pilates) and yoga basics
under the close supervision of an instructor.

Given the enthusiasm of the people, it seems that exercising
in a gym is not only a trend, but it has become a lifestyle --
especially in the big cities.

And the opening of another outlet of Celebrity Fitness, which
has been named a Men's Health Approved Gym by Men's Health
magazine, will motivate more people to adopt a healthy lifestyle.