Please describe one of your memorable bike rides? Who joined you? Where did you reach?
Blinky de Leon. Event Host, Product Endorser & Influencer
“One of the most memorable bike rides I ever had was when my friend Jessicah and I joined the Active woman virtual challenge. We both decided to do it together and take the 100km ride from Ayala to Moalboal in just one day. It was a really fun and thrilling journey. The fulfillment we had as soon as we finished it prevailed over the physical exhaustion. Our training prior to the race really came in handy. It’s one thing to finish the race, but really proving to yourself that you can do it is very empowering, especially for us women. “
Yumz Mariot. Branding and Marketing Consultant
“My most memorable ride to date was my second which I decided to take after realizing there is more scenery than what the main highway brings. I took an off road route at the nearest Barangay and just kept pedaling. There I saw a farm which I thought was planted with corn. I took a stop to look closely and found my first encounter with Batad [Sorghum]. The farm owner was just in the vicinity and was friendly enough to tell me what it is. I immediately checked on Google and found this information: “Some of these species are grown as cereals for human consumption and some in pastures for animals.” I shared photos of that ride on Facebook and asked for more information about the plant and learned it is called “Dawa” in the dialect and is used to cook “Budbud Kabog”, a local delicacy. “
Prime Sarino. Digital Media Creative
“There were plenty of memorable bike rides I did last year. Most of it were long group rides. The most remarkable would be the Pangamihan climb in Toledo and my Round north ride. The Pangamihan route consists of uphills (around 2k elevation) off road trails, river crossings and heat. The view at the top was definitely the treat. It was one for the books. They say it’s one of top bike routes to try for mountain bikers here in Cebu. And then, I definitely enjoyed the Round north backpacking ride with a few of my friends. We covered around 302 km, and navigated the coastal route. Trip to the beach was refreshing.”
More to come with these ladies in part 3…. Zen
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In Cebu, event participants had a fun and active afternoon, a refreshing take on fitness where they got to trade their traditional indoor gym workout of four walls, stale air, and static views with the outdoor setup of Nature’s Gym. The afternoon started with a warm up session followed by demonstrations and exercise mechanics from the coaches from Anytime Fitness Oakridge, Escario, and Cebu Business Park.
Take it from Merrell fitness enthusiasts who make it a point to sweat it out through different and exciting activities. Notable guests present at the Nature’s Gym event were socialites Jasmine and Jennifer Sarmiento, Kate Ngo, Kyle Wong and Garbiel Wong from the Wonggoys, influencers Sinjin Pineda, Eva Aguspina, Jean Yu, Edgar Alan Zeta-Yap, Xterra Professional Athlete and Merrell ambassador Joe Miller, and more!
During warm up
Merrell Ambassador Joe Miller doing the rope slams.
Kirby Yu at Merrell’s Nature’s Gym Event (grabbed from https://www.jensarmiento.com/blog/merell-s-nature-s-gym-campaign-x-anytime-fitness-cebu)
Gear up with Merrell’s latest offerings—they’re perfect pairs to wear on your next outdoor workout: the Bare Access Flex for road running features the FLEXconnect
dual-directional flex-groove EVA midsole for agility and stability; the Trail Glove 4 for outside fitness, which has a sock-like feel for a locked-down fit, plus a Vibram® TC5+ outsole for lightly cushioned performance; and the Agility Peak Flex collection is equipped with FLEXconnect and the Merrell Air Cushion Viz with high rebound EVA foam pod in the heel absorbs shock and adds stability for trail runners.
Planning to get an Anytime Fitness membership? Merrell’s got a special deal for you! Get 50% off on your joining fee at our partner Anytime Fitness gyms when you purchase any regular priced footwear at SM North EDSA Annex, Glorietta 3, TriNoma, SM Cebu, and Ayala Center Cebu until May 29, 2019.
Missed the first few sessions of Nature’s Gym? You can still register for the next session at Anytime Fitness Escario on November 24, 2018. Sign up now at the Merrell stores at SM Cebu or Ayala Center Cebu or online at merrell.com.ph.
See you in Nature’s Gym!
For more details, visit www.merrell.com.ph and follow Merrell on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram(@merrell_ph)
In partnership with Anytime Fitness Oakridge, Anytime Fitness Escario, Anytime Fitness Cebu Business Park, and Oakridge Park.
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With an impressive physique and many accolades earned in Crossfit competitions both local and international, it’s a surprise to find out Rocky Dorjsembe had only started learning the ropes of the program two years ago. The Mongolian is in Cebu to study, and in his free time, he was working as a coach in a local gym. “A Korean man visited and trained with us,” he recalls. “I was impressed by his strength and the physical abilities he demonstrated. I found out later he was a competitive Crossfitter.”
In his willingness to learn more about Crossfit, he decided to try it out by visiting Southside Fitness (formerly Crossfit Pintados), the first affiliate Crossfit box in Cebu. “After a short workout—only seven minutes of intense exercise that included pull-ups, push-ups and air squats—I was out of breath,” Rocky admits. “I realized I was not physically fit enough as a coach and fitness enthusiast.”
Adding to his fervor, he was stunned at how cheerful people were, and enjoyed the competitive but fun atmosphere that he had never experienced at regular gyms. “That feeling of community kept me going time and time again, until it became my second home.”
Now, Rocky is a Crossfit L1 Instructor at Southside Fitness, and considers the program as a sport and career. “I work out five days a week, with the other two being active rest days. A training day has about two to three hours of exercise,” he explains. “Crossfit promotes functional exercise, balancing body weight movements with cardiovascular endurance, stamina, physical strength and gymnastic agility.”
His regular exercise regimen includes working on strength through Olympic weightlifting programs. After that, he proceeds to metabolic conditioning, which combines cardio, weightlifting and gymnastic movements at high intensity for short periods of time or a specific number of rounds. On his rest days, he tries to help muscles recover through low-impact exercise like yoga or swimming.
Of course, working out isn’t the only aspect of the program—part of the discipline is the Paleo diet, popularly known as the caveman’s diet, which advocates natural food and more protein. “I try to follow this idea most of the time—a lot of protein, a bit of carbohydrates, healthy fats, and a lot of fruits and vegetables,” Rocky says.
As a competitive athlete, Rocky also takes some dietary supplements and whey protein shakes to increase intake of vitamins and minerals. “A healthy diet is balanced, so occasionally I will enjoy pizza, a beer or ice cream,” he admits. “I am still a human who wants to enjoy life.”
Rocky has competed in several Crossfit competitions, which he continuously prepares for. “The main difference between regular training and training for a competition is focus and consistency,” Rocky explains. “Competition is mental, so I also make sure to prepare mentally.”
Despite having tried a number of different workouts before, Rocky particularly enjoys Crossfit for always keeping him on his toes. “I always want to try new things and combinations. Every day there is something different, so you will never be bored,” he shares, although he adds that the sense of community is something he appreciates. “One of the best things about choosing Crossfit is that motivation is everywhere. Every day I train, the other members are cheering me on to do my best.”
That sense of community, of course, is two-fold. “I am coaching now, and I can see that my achievements inspire others to achieve more,” Rocky continues. “Seeing how I can help others improve motivates me to keep coming back to this community. Really, it’s more like a family to me.”
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As bikini season arrives, it’s a routine to take cover with Hot Cheetos in hand and let the lazy girl ways get the best of us. But what we really need is enough motivation and the right guidance. Which is why we curated a list for the ultimate guide to running – as a beginner, that is.
Walk
Yes, you read that right. Starting slow by walking and then slowly picking up your pace is key especially when you’re just starting out. Also, remember do to some stretches so prevent muscle tears.
Listen to your body
When your mind is telling you to stop, it’s time to listen to your body. Do you feel a burning sensation on your quads or glutes? Are you breathing heavily but steady? If yes, you’re doing a good job. Keep running.
Get the goods
Ah, finally something fun, right? Having the good running shoes is just as important as running itself. It differs from each person, so it’s best you go to your local running store and have them watch you run on a treadmill. They will be able to help pick the right shoe for you.
Estimate accordingly
Know where to go ahead of time and plan accordingly. The most common mistake is thinking you could run a full distance of your longest run. Only to realize 1/3 of the way, you couldn’t. Run at a distance you’re used to and build endurance by slowly increase distance every time.
Learn to run the correct way
It’s not just fast walking. Running actually needs practice and it is important to nail a good form. Remember to keep your head straight, don’t hunch your back, keep your arms at 90 degrees and breathe deeply and rhythmically.
Eat
Eating right and having a clean diet is half the marathon for being healthy. Pack on some fruits, load up on protein and learn to love the vegetables. Save the Hot Cheetos for the next cheat day.
Run for Fun
Workouts can be just as fun when you’ve got people to do it with. This April 30th, Marco Polo Plaza Cebu will host their second installment of Run For ERUF, a run the supports Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation’s undying effort in serving the community. With 4 distance categories: 12k, 6k, 3k and 1k, you will surely find a spot appropriate for you. For more info, you can email the hotel’s Hospitality Desk at runforeruf@marcopolocebu.com.
So, what are you waiting for? Run girl, Run!
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