More Roach camps soon

With the first Freddie Roach boxing camp now in session at Body Worx, the way is clear for more to follow in the footsteps of the pioneer station set up on the third floor of the five-story Hollywood Square Building on West Avenue, Quezon City.

“We’re ready to franchise,” says Body Worx CEO Kathy Lim Uy. “We’ve told Freddie that we plan to open 10 more camps. For a 300-square meter area, we can build, operate and transfer a complete Roach facility at a cost of P2 Million. That will include the equipment, gloves, wraps and whatever is required for a fitness gym.”

The Roach camp complements other programs that Body Worx offers. On the same floor is a fitness club that features a wide range of US cardio and flexibility hardware, free weights, upright and recumbent bikes, cross-trainers, treadmills, rowers, a boxing ring, an aerobics and ballroom dancing studio and a separate room for tai chi, boxing, aikido, taekwondo, karate and other martial arts.

It took a small fortune to bring in Body Worx’ first-class equipment from the US but the hefty investment is the price to pay for a quality fitness club. One treadmill and one cross-trainer, for instance, cost a combined P1 Million and there are 10 treadmills and 11 cross-trainers in the gym.

Actor Ronnie Ricketts often works out at the facility and plans to revive the twice-a-week exercise classes he used to conduct for Body Worx. Other celebrities who drop in to keep fit include Francine Prieto, Diana Zubiri and Christian Vazquez.

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Body Worx operations manager Eryl Damian supervises five trainers, including the Roach instructors, in the gym. The trainers are well-versed in physical conditioning and coordinate with two licensed nutritionists in preparing a specialized diet plan for each enrollee.

A privilege member pays about P1,500 a month for all-access use of the gym, the steam room, the wet area and fitness facilities. The amount also covers joining certain exercise classes. A corporate membership is also available at P12,000 a month with a one-time fee of P5,000 for as many as 15 individuals.

“Accessibility and affordability are very important to us,” says Kathy. “Our fitness club is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays, 8 to 8 on Saturdays and 9 to 6 on Sundays. Our spa is open from 2 p.m. to midnight every day. All our facilities are in one building so convenience is one of our major selling points.”

Kathy says Body Worx now has over 1,000 members and each is a satisfied customer.

In the spa, which is located on the fifth floor, there are individual computerized sauna chambers, wooden tubs for herbal fruity and milk dips, VIP massage rooms and a spacious steam room. A team of 15 massage specialists was assembled for the spa. The specialists were trained in the Japanese style of massage.

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“Ambiance is critical,” says Kathy. “We respect our client’s privacy. We take pride in our cleanliness and our facilities. We provide soothing music and relaxing sounds to complete an atmosphere of complete well-being.”

The rehabilitation clinic employs 10 physical therapists supervised by Dr. Gloria Arroyo-Coronel and Dr. Wendell Lozano. Specialists from St. Luke’s Medical Center, UST, Philippine General Hospital and Cardinal Santos form the core of a visiting team that also practices at the clinic.

The rehab center offers health/promotion and wellness programs for corporate accounts, varsities, professional athletes and professional sports clubs. It can also provide medical coverage in sporting events.

To complete the fitness bill, Body Worx opened a center for cosmetic surgery with highly-trained doctors available to advise and perform the type of aesthetic procedure suited for every need. The surgical facility, “V-Prime,” is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment handled by expert and renowned cosmetic surgeons and dermatologists who are diplomates and fellows trained in the US. Services include all types of aesthetic, cosmetic, plastic and reconstructive surgery such as breast augmentation, liposuction, tummy tuck, facelift, noselift, hydrogel, rhinoplasty, brachioplasty, gluteoplasty, nipple reduction, neck and thigh lift and SQ mastectomy.