Get fit or die trying

Fitness coach Hazel Chua assists fellow mentor Ken 
Benton in showing how a proper push-up is done.

Jumping jacks, squats, push-ups and lunges.

These may seem like easy and ordinary exercises to you. The same boring exercises you've been doing every gym class during your elementary years.

But try doing three intense sets in four minutes and it will surely test your fitness level.

I had the chance to try the so-called Metabolic Fitness Program developed by coach Jim Saret after I got invited a few days ago to attend the Medicard-Metafit Fitness Boot Camp.

It was easy at first but the fun really started when you feel your heart rate increase and, coach Hazel Chua and Irene Rafil egged you on to do as many repetitions as you can.

The lively group that joined the late afternoon session of the Medicard-Metafit 

Fitness Boot Camp at Medicard Lifestyle Center in Makati City.

I can already feel a burning sensation in my leg and calf muscles, halfway through the second set. Not cramps. I thought that I won't survive the whole routine and was already contemplating just collapsing on the floor.

But, in coach Irene's words, challenge yourself. I'm proud to say that I lived to tell the tale.

I thought that I was fit in doing the boot camp, for I run/jog, ride my bike and have my own weight training program. But it turns out that there's still room for me to grow.

"It kind of looks sissy to some but the exercises will challenge and measure your fitness level," said coach Irene.

Coach Irene said the four-minute program fits people who always make excuses of having no time to exercise and live a healthy lifestyle.

Mountain climber anyone?

"We want to inspire people to make the change and stop making excuses of having no time to get fit. People who always say they are busy and they have no inspiration in life. Now, they have something to look forward to and have fun doing something," she added.

Coach Irene said getting the program into your system will help you progress and conquer other challenges. "The program is a basic building block that you can start on. From there, you can slowly shift and progress into doing a 42-kilometer run or try mountain biking."

Aside from the four exercises, coach Hazel also taught me the proper way of doing mountain climber and an abdominal exercise where you lay down as if you are reaching for an imaginary bell (Sorry, I forgot the name of the routine and Google failed to help me).

"It will increase your stamina, boost your strength and it will raise your fitness level to heights that you think you can never achieve," said coach Hazel, who added that for every exercise you need to learn the proper form and way of doing it to avoid the risk of getting injured.

Coach Irene Rafil gives some inspirational messages.

But you need to eat the right food to back up your fitness program.

"You need to follow a proper diet, not junk food. You need to eat healthy to maximize what you've worked on," said coach Irene.

She said that the right type of fuel is needed for a car engine to run smoothly.

"Rather than being a couch potato, watching superheroes do their stunts on television, why don't you try and do it yourself. But of course, before you try anything consult a trainer that will teach you the basic moves and help you progress."

"Instead of hearing stories of your co-workers inside the office of them running a 42K or tried out mountain biking, it is you who is telling the story."

Stretch and reach for the sky.