Keep it real, stay with the fight

This morning I got a call from a long time gym friend from a gym I used to go a couple years ago for BODYCOMBAT classes.. The gym is always special in a way to me where I had my humble beginnings having spent some 10 years as a member and eventually grew as a BODYCOMBAT instructor..

Even though the gym was at the other end of the city, it didn't stop me from travelling there in the rush hour traffic and through the times, I've made a lot of friends from there, some I've watched them grew "from kids to kidults", from single to married (one of them just announced her "I do" last weekend!), from pretty to prettier and from handsome to more handsome.. some went as two generations and even as a whole family in the class together.. And with so many of us, we took up like half the studio floor space.. Eventually a few of us moved up on stage as instructors.. Yea.. Those were the days..

Anyway, this friend asked me why I am no longer teaching in that gym, and also shared with me that other senior instructors were also keen to make a comeback.. 

To which I replied, "it is not for us to say, we respect the club managers".. Of course not word for word but I meant it that way, because at the end of the day, it all comes down to the managers.. 

To this gym friend, thank you for still believing in us old skoolers and sharing with me your's and the thoughts of the rest of the members, I believe we are still able to bring back the fun.. Just a tip here, you guys can always feedback to your club managers of the current situations.. 

Thank you.. I'm sure one day there's a chance to fight alongside once again.. Don't let the BODYCOMBAT flame die.. Keep it real and stay with the fight.. 

Beware of the gym!

A fellow Bodycombat instructor and friend made the news headlines today.

The gym he was teaching at refused payment and threaten to sue for defamation instead when my friend posted his ordeal on Facebook.

I have my fair share of non-payments as well but the owners eventually paid up after all the instructors get together collectively and demanded payment.. Those gyms in questions are Synargym and TM Fitness Centre (both have since closed down) and E-Fitness Subang Jaya (still in operations)..

The modus operandi has always been the same: delay payment, postpone payment, give plenty of excuses (accountant on leave, no signatory, cheque not ready) till it dragged on for months.. Fortunately, I have recovered all the money owed to me while teaching in these gyms..

Lesson to self, never to accept or trust small gyms.. I am not going to teach in small gyms anymore after finding myself chasing for payments month after month..



Read it here at: http://www.therakyatpost.com/news/2015/04/14/free-lance-trainer-alleges-gym-cheated-him-owner-sues-for-defamation

Bodycombat 63

With presenters from Malaysia in the up and coming Bodycombat 63, it is one of the most revered release - however, despite the awesome workout (and how Lesmills programs will be structured in the future), a few of us agree that we don't feel the "bodycombat feel" anymore..

Most Lesmills programs have been tweaked to allow a member to leave (in fact, they are encouraged to leave) the studio after 4 tracks and coming back next time for 5, 6, and subsequently.. To me, if once I walk out of the studio, good luck trying to get me back in.. In other words, if I walk out half way, it comes to either the instructor sucks, the class is boring, or the class is not for me..

Bodycombat 63 Presenters Line-up

Bodycombat 63 has probably the toughest first 4 tracks.. Serious, I am not kidding.. While I appreciate the tough workout and the arms-busting tracks with pushup conditioning work in a traditional legs track 4, it didn't grow on me..

In fact the last few releases didn't grow on me.. My class members didn't like it as well and most certainly and most always I have requests to bring back releases from 20-30s where I can see them singing along to the workout with smiles on their faces.. Those were the songs that brings the fun out in the class and working out together, forging friendships and having fun..

Not anymore..

That's where the program lost me..

5 years and having delivered 20 releases later, it has come to a time when I am mulling about hanging up my gloves once and for all.. and it's making me very.. and keep my yoga mat and also store away my resistance tube..

Maybe I should just go back to weight training and swim..




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