Meet the Weider Powerswitch 100. A complete set of dumbbells with plates of up to 100 lbs and comes with a stand. So if you have enough money to shell out and you’re just not too comfortable working out at the gym with strangers, this one is for you.

So where did I see this? I found this in CHRIS Sports in SM (disclaimer: I don’t own that store) while I was looking for a birthday gift for my brother a few weeks ago. Before you decide to buy this equipment, I suggest you first look for online reviews because like any other product, I’ve seen both positive and negative reviews. There were praises saying that it is an excellent product and there were also comments saying that it is not safe for beginners. Maybe you should try it for yourself and see if it is suitable for you.

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I can remember back in the late 90’s that Slimmers World was the first thing that came to my mind when people mention the word “gym”. Let’s face it: Slimmers World was among the first in the country to put up a gym inside SM Malls and although there is a lot of competition now, they still continue to become one of the top choices when it comes to gyms.

First Impressions: More of a ladies’ gym?
I don’t know why but I have an impression that about half of the people who work out at Slimmers are women. Maybe because they used to be the sponsor gym of Binibining Pilipinas during the late 90’s. I think this one is a good thing especially when you are looking for places to find women.

Another impression that I have which seems unusual is that the gym’s reception looks like a hospital. Yeah, you read it right – a hospital. This is because most of their personnel are wearing doctor’s clothes which will make you think you are going for a medical check-up. On the bright side, this gives them an “expert” look when it comes to health and fitness.

People and Equipment
Based on what I’ve seen in their branch at SM City North EDSA, their gym-goers are really serious people who are really into getting in best shape. According to friends who have been in various gyms, Slimmers World trainers are really one of the best. They seem to be real experts in fitness.

However, when it comes to their pieces of equipment, some of them are quite old (I guess they need to replace them) and only a few. I remember that during peak hours, you may have to wait until the machines are vacant before you can use them. I think they need to improve in this area.

Rates
The rates are pretty competitive and they do have a variety of options below. According to their sales personnel they accept cash or credit card as payment

Buy 1 month, get 1 month Free – 3,500 Pesos

3 Months – 3,375 Pesos

6 Months – 5,400 Pesos

1 Year – 9,450 Pesos

Lifetime Membership – 40,000+ Pesos

This ends up the series on gym guide. Check out the other related posts in the series:
Part 1: Gold’s Gym
Part 2: Fitness First

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Fitness First is perhaps the most popular gym in the metro. Reason? They have so many branches, mostly in malls, making them the most accessible gym in the Philippines.

First Impressions: Nice and plenty equipment

The first thing that will catch your attention upon entering Fitness First (especially in their new branches) are their numerous, big, high-quality TechnoGym fitness equipment. If you ever had the chance to be toured by their staff inside the gym, you will see a lot of equipment which are obviously imported.

Having numerous equipment is a big advantage for its members because you wouldn’t have to wait for one person to finish exercising before you are able to use the equipment. You can use it anytime you want.

Aside from having lots of equipment, you will notice too that unlike other gyms, you do not need to bring your own padlock because their lockers are already equipped with its own lock.

One thing about their facilities though that makes me wonder is why they are serving softdrinks as part of their free privileges. I mean, most people are there to lose weight and eat healthy so why the need for it?

People and Trainers

Depending on the branch, you’ll see that the population working out at Fitness First are 60% male and around 40% female. You will also see some high-profile people and celebrities working out there (just like in Gold’s Gym) which means that it’s a high-class gym. Based on the kind of people who work out, it appears to me that Fitness First is more of a “tone the muscles” gym instead of a body building gym like Gold’s.

The club prides itself in their 1:1 trainer-trainee ratio. However, I found out that getting a personal trainer is not cheap. I don’t mean to generalize but I have also been told that if you are a guy, and you are a beginner, you might be a little overwhelmed by their trainers since they usually push people to the limit. This may seem like a good thing for intermediate to expert gym-goers but for beginners, it may be a bad thing. Anyway, I’m not referring to all trainers but only some. It’s up to you to check them out.

Rates

These are the rates for Fitness First regular branches.

1 year home membership (workout at 1 branch only): 2,500 Pesos per month
1 year passport membership (workout at any of Fitness First regular branches): 2,600 Pesos per month

4 months home membership (workout at 1 branch only): 2,800 Pesos per month
4 months passport membership (workout at any of Fitness First regular branches): 2,900 Pesos per month

Note that actual rates may vary. They accept credit cards for monthly installments or cash if you wish to pay in full. They also have an admin fee and it varies from branch to branch.

In case you were wondering, Fitness First also has two premium branches with higher membership costs. These branches are called Fitness First Platinum (one of which is located in Trinoma and the other in RCBC Plaza). These branches are exclusive because they have added facilities and privileges. I think they cost above 3,500 per month the last time I checked. Could anyone confirm?

Related posts in Gym Guide:
Part 1: Gold’s Gym
Part 3: Slimmers World

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Last weekend, I got the chance to visit Gold’s Gym in Waltermart North Edsa. It has been quite a while since I visited one of their branches and this time I was stunned.

First Impressions: A Boxing Gym?

When I entered Gold’s Gym in Waltermart, my attention was caught by their boxing ring. Surprising isn’t it? It’s not common to see one in a fitness gym and if I remember it correctly, they never had a boxing ring the last time I checked one of their branches a few years ago. According to their staff, it’s a new feature of their gym after Elorde boxing gym was bought by Gold’s. Now, almost all Gold’s gym branches have a boxing ring so if you think you have the Manny Pacquiao in you, go ahead and check out any of Gold’s gym branches.

Equipment and People

I was toured by one of their personnel inside the gym. It’s not that big (compared to their other branches) but I was impressed by their equipment especially their complete line of weights, cardio equipment and if I may say it again – their boxing ring. I must admit that I really wanted to try to get into the ring (at least to have a feel what it’s like to be a boxer) but too bad, there was a boxing match the time I visited so maybe next time.

Their pieces of equipment are of superb and excellent quality. However, I think that they need to add more since there were only a few and I’m not sure if they are enough for all the gym-goers in that branch during peak hours. I would also like to add that you need to bring your own padlock for the lockers.

With their equipment suited for bodybuilding, I can say that Gold’s Gym is highly recommendable for those who want to get big muscles (just take a look at the logo of Gold’s Gym). I think that bodybuilders are their target market and is probably the main reason why there were only a few women working out when I visited.

Rates and Payment

Their staff was kind enough to explain to me their rates as follows:

UNLIMITED WORK-OUTS:

FEE: P25,200 – (good for 1 year: P2,100 per month)

FIXED NUMBER OF WORK OUTS – 144 visits per year (around 3 times per week):

FEE: P16,500 (good for the entire year: P 1,375 per month)

Note that actual rates may vary and this does not include the boxing facility. They accept credit cards for monthly installments or cash if you wish to pay in full.

If you will notice from the above rates, you will save more on a fixed number of sessions rather than unlimited. While this may give you less freedom to work-out whenever you feel like, I still think that it is more economical since the ideal number of times to exercise is 3-4 times a week, so it is definitely worth it!

But if you believe that you are a gym rat, I bet that the unlimited one is the right thing for you!

Related posts in Gym Guide:
Part 2: Fitness First
Part 3: Slimmers World
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Talk about men’s fitness at the PGG Forums

Alright, let’s face it. The past few days have been calorific – if you know what I’m saying. All those bacons, hams, chocolates, fruit cakes, pastas, lechon and leche flan from last week’s Christmas parties up to the actual Christmas day feast have gotten our stomach full like never before. The aftermath? Weight gain. So to negate that excess weight, I’d like to share some tips on how I plan to burn all that extra energy in our bodies. You might want to share your tips too.

1. Hit the gym or exercise today

This will surely be a part of my to-do list. Since there is no school or work, we all need to do some sort of physical activity instead of just sitting around the house doing nothing. I suggest you hit the gym, exercise, clean the house or even stroll the malls again to burn up the food before it becomes fat.

2. Bring food intake back to normal

While I understand that there are several leftovers after that great banquet, it’s time to take control again of one’s food intake. I know it’s pretty hard when you have delicious food around but think of this: In 3 months, summer is coming – how do you want to look?

3. Get back to fruits and veggies

Sounds cliché? But here’s the thing: I find it really difficult to get back to fruits and veggies after that sumptuous Christmas feast filled with meat and sweets. So the sooner we all get back and get used to eating these healthier foods again, the more advantageous it is for one’s health and body.

4. Watch out for the New Year

History repeats itself doesn’t it? Just a week from now I’m sure we will have another round of overindulgence on food as we celebrate the New Year. There’s no problem with that. Just make sure to eat only as much as you think you’re metabolism can burn. As a guy, I’m sure that we no longer want making the same New Year’s resolution of getting a beach body year in and year out right?

So how about you? What’s your plan in losing those few extra pounds gained over the holidays?

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Today we explore the Top 4 Pinoy Vices with PGG writer Jessie. See if you have one of these vices and let us know how you got that vice.

VICE/VICES – noun -
an immoral or evil habit or practice
immoral conduct; depraved or degrading behavior: a life of vice.
sexual immorality, esp. prostitution.
a particular form of depravity.
a fault, defect, or shortcoming: a minor vice in his literary style.
a physical defect, flaw, or infirmity: a constitutional vice.

Smoking
- Ice cold fact about the cigarette that you just smoked a while ago: Nicotine is far worst than Heroine in terms of addiction level. Pinoys just don’t think it affects them because, in reality, the effects of smoking related illnesses only manifests when you’re already at your worst condition (read: dying). I’m not here to preach on why you should lessen the sticks that you puff everyday. I am a smoker myself. I call it ‘express therapy’. I use it to pass time and earn extra patience when I’m having a rough day. But if you smoke two packs (or more) a day with your conscience intact – then you better make sure you have enough money in your bank account to keep you alive for at least 72 hours once you hit rock bottom.

Alcoholic Beverage
- Men are blinded by alcoholic beverages. It can either make or break a man. If you go out with the gang and drink your guts out – you’re in. You’re part of the circle. But if you reject an invitation or two – expect a lot rumors involving your sexuality spreading around the next day. Pressure is the element that turns a lot of Pinoys into beer drinking zombies. Drinking is a way of life. I drink. I’m sure you, Mr.Reader, downed a bottle or two at least in your lifetime. But like the saying goes; anything done excessively is wrong. If you drink at least twice or thrice a month. You’re OK. Congratulations. You will get to see your grandson play basketball in your backyard. But if you’re the guy who’s been part of every single drinking sessions of your peers, you have a very serious problem coming your way.

Online Games
- Aaaah, online gaming. One of the best inventions man has ever come up with. Back in the day, I used to be an ‘arcade’ guy. I used to be that alpha male who buys only one token, challenge a guy wearing that stupid NY Yankees cap, beats his ass in Super Street Fighter II using Guile, and beating the game itself in one seating. While a dozen of token-less guys gather around to watch. But all that magic happens AFTER school. Online gaming has taken the addiction of ‘killing’ someone, somewhere out there, to a whole new level.

Nowadays, students would often miss class to play DOTA, CS, Ragnarok, Diablo and all the games available in internet cafe’s around schools. Try going to the nearest school zone in your area and you will most likely encounter an internet and gaming cafe filled with teenagers in school uniform, screaming and yelling as they scour for more power ups and annihilate some guy’s home base with brute force. Its fun, affordable and the moxy you get when your the last man standing and yet your team still won because of your heroics is irreplaceable. But please – learn something in school. Something. Anything. Before you blow people’s head off with your sniper.

Workout
- There’s nothing wrong with working out. It takes a lot of discipline and hard work to be in good shape and it pays off in the long run. But there are guys out there who just can’t get enough of being with plates and exercise equipments. Guys who would go straight to the gym right after class or shift, ignoring everything that also matters in this life. Overexercising can lead to insomnia, depression, fatigue, and anxiety. When you’re sole motivation to work out is to have that Christian Bale physique to impress the ladies (and those fake scouts looking for new ‘talents’), then you are definitely hooked to the bones in all the wrong ways.

* other notable pinoy guy vices includes: women, shoes and Poker

How about you? What are your vices? Are you doing any efforts to stop them for the better?

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Image credit: Sarinva | Creative Commons

Ever wondered if you will become infertile if your balls got kicked? Or have you been thinking for a solution to your thinning hair? In this post, Jessie tells us answers to frequently asked questions on men’s health.

My breath stinks man, what can I do?
Give me three people around you right now and chances are, one of them is suffering from bad breath, or halitosis, at one time or another. Studies show that about 30% of Pinoys are affected by this. It may be caused by many factors, such as gum disease, smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages, eating food including onions and garlic, and of course lack of regular dental check.

To minimize the effects of bad breath and to keep you in the hunt for a girlfriend, you need to brush your teeth twice a day. Brush your tongue and gargle like you mean it. Refrain from eating food that contains a handful of onions and garlic. Last but not the least – go to your dentist at least 3-4 times a year. If you work in a company that offers free medical and dental check-ups, make the most out of it.

My hair is starting to thin. Is it time to let go?
Baldness patterns in males are cause by a combination of genetics and hormonal imbalance. So don’t go blaming your dad about it. The imbalance that occurs inside of you makes hair follicles decrease in size, thus making your hair silky smooth. Literally. As in silky thin. So there are actually two things that a man can do: Hold on to it and try to feed it with the right nutrients (botanical hair tonics like ‘Retane’ might do the trick since it contains Vitamins B5, Aloe Vera and Vitamin E) to keep the growth cycle or just let it go and shave it completely to have that bad ass look your girlfriend have been wanting all along.

I sweat like crazy. Is there anything I can do?

Sweating is a natural thing. Never be ashamed about it. Even the hottest FHM cover girls sweat about twice a day, regardless of their daily activities. It’s our bodies natural way of regulating its core temperature. However, for guys whose sympathetic nervous system works at an extremely high level of activity – leading to abundant sweating – it is indeed a problem. That problem is called ‘Hyperhidrosis’. Fortunately, there are a lot of methods that can help reduce or regulate your excessive sweating. Using antiperspirants are probably the most common one, but if you have the money and time, you can consult your physician who can prescribe drugs or ‘iontophoresis’ therapy ( its that thing doctors do when they apply a low intensity of electricity to your body). Last option is of course, surgery. But like I said awhile ago, sweating is a normal thing, if it doesn’t kill you – don’t worry about it too much.

Can I become infertile if kicked in the balls?

No man should ever experience this horrifying ordeal of getting kicked in the nuts. It hurts like hell. Ever wondered why a soft gentle hand on the groin (use your imagination guys) can automatically give you that arousal while a solid smack on the your ‘member’ can easily put you on your knees, screaming in excruciating pain. Reason being is that the groin area has the most concentration of nerves in the entire human body. But the question is – Will it make you sterile?

It could if it was severely damaged. If the hit resulted to bruises and bleeding under the skin, then better cancel all your dates and see a doctor right away. It is possible to be infertile, but the chances are slim.

Note from Chris:

I don’t know if it’s true, but I read somewhere that if a man is kicked very hard in the balls, it could actually lead to death. Well, whether it’s true or not we all know how painful it is. So guys, keep your defenses up – and don’t cheat on your girlfriends!

Jessie is a full-time employee in Makati as a Technical and Billing Support Supervisor and also works as a Freelance Event Organizer. He has a strong passion in sports and urban lifestyle. In his spare time, he reads books and magazines, surfs the Internet and plays video games.

Article references:

MedicineNet, NetDoctor and BCHealthGuide

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Here is an excerpt from the LA Times stating the results of their study:

The new study by the same research group, published online today in Fertility & Sterility, took sperm samples from 32 men and divided the samples into two parts for a test group and a control group. The test group specimens were placed an inch from a 850 MHz cellphone that was in talk mode. Measurements taken after the one-hour exposure showed that the sperm exposed to the cellphone contained higher levels of harmful free radicals and a decreased amount of protective antioxidants compared with the unexposed sperm. These factors caused a decline in the sperm’s function and motility and in the overall health of the sperm. However, there was no significant difference in damage to the DNA of the exposed cells.

It was also mentioned that guys should avoid putting their cellphones in their pockets especially when using their headsets to conduct voice calls. So the next time you put your mobile phone in your pocket – think twice because it might affect your fertility and your future.

After reading the news story, I guess I will have to bring a separate clutch bag just for my cellphone.

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Discuss this story at the FORUMS

Damn I wish I lived during the ancient times where men had to toil and do very physical activities but at the same time achieved great bodies! Unlike of course, in modern times where men tend to do intellectual things and sit on their butt lazily at a very cold office and watch their weight increase exponentially if they don’t go to the gym.

My friend and I were talking about how to get those 6-pack abs that every guy wished for. According to an article I’ve read, you need to drop your body fat down to around 8% to get it. Now that’s hard!

Coincidentally, I happened to have passed by Fitness First in Trinoma and they were giving away flyers containing the cost of membership in their state-of-the-art gyms. Just for your information, Fitness First Platinum is the “premium” gym of Fitness First among all other regular branches. There are only two Platinum gyms that Fitness First has which I know of – one is in RCBC Plaza (which even has a swimming pool) and one in Trinoma.

Fitness First – SM City North Edsa

I have taken a look into both regular and platinum gyms of Fitness First. What is surprising about Fitness First Platinum is that you wouldn’t need to bring your work-out clothes with you to the gym because they will provide you with one. Not once, not twice – but everytime you hit the gym!

As for the current rates, here they are:

Fitness First Regular
Joining Fee – 500 Pesos
Admin Fee – 1,900 Pesos
Monthly membership fee (12 months/any branch except Platinum) – 2,450 Pesos

Fitness First Platinum
Joining Fee – 3,500
Monthly membership fee (12 months/any branch) – 3,600 Pesos

One more thing: I heard that they are going to increase membership rates after January so if you wish to enroll, well I guess now is the time. But with the said rates, would you still do?