When machines make way for fit play
In the gym, be a kid again and get fit.
FEATURE
There’s a quiet revolution happening in gyms everywhere today. You may have noticed it. One day that quiet nook by the watercooler was empty, but now it is filled with sandbags and 10kg ropes. And little by little, you see the usual fancy weight machines disappearing. Invasion of the Body Snatchers, anyone?
Relax. It’s all for good reason.
“Gyms are basically realising that traditional strength workouts (where one uses equipments) are just that – they’re traditional,” explains personal trainer Ridwan Habsha. “We’re now looking at fitness as a total body workout, where you don’t just work on a single muscle. (Think chest press, leg press machines, etc.) Instead, trainers everywhere are now encouraging clients to use their bodies as they normally would, opting for functional training that works multiple muscles simultaneously. “This will give you the sought-after results in improving overall strength and mobility, and increased caloric burn,” he says.
Most gyms welcome the trend because it also makes more business sense. Machines can be costly, and often take up a lot of space. But the space you need to lift say, a couple of sandbags, or do some medicinal ball exercises, requires only a minimal area. Factor that into rental, it can save businesses a hefty sum.
As gyms turn into playgrounds, clients too benefit from the change. Exercising with medicinal balls for instance, engages the core like no other exercise, and helps a person achieve a leaner and stronger physique as opposed to a muscular one. Climbing and battling ropes are great to gain forearm/grip strength and total body coordination.
When Tony Hwang first saw the battling ropes, he was a bit sceptical. And he had to be persuaded to give them a try. He says, “I’m a product of the old fitness school. I’m comfortable with reading diagrams on the machine and working one body part at a time.” When he first tried the ropes, he could not believe the amount of workout it gave him – nor the number of muscle groups he had to engage. “By the time I was done with it in 10 minutes, I was sweating,” he said shaking his head. “I was working my core, my back, my thighs and arms. It was probably one of the most satisfactory workouts I’ve ever done in years!”
For those that still prefer traditional workouts, Habsha says they have nothing to worry about. “Machines will not go obsolete in the gyms. They will still have a following. But if your gym suddenly turns into an urban playground – where you’re required to squat, jump, pull, throw and climb – just have an open mind and give it a go. You’ll never know if you’ll like it until you’ve given it a try.”
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