I probably mentioned in my previous entry that I am a 360 Fitness baby. I began working out and following their programs back when its second branch, 360 Makati, was only starting out in 2011. Under the guidance of the young, well-trained and friendly coaches, I found my path towards a stronger, healthier version of myself. And with my regular yoga practice, I continued on that trail and thankfully haven’t fallen off ever since.
This is why I was so excited when they announced the opening of 360 Pro, a new facility that caters to a different market using a program specifically designed for athletes and active people alike.
The place was spacious with a high ceiling that makes it look even bigger. You know for sure that I’m the type to get really excited when I enter a new playground. Haha! Coach Pam Picardal took care of us during our session.
As of this writing, 360 Fitness has 6 branches, 360 Pro being the newest one. The first five facilities– Ortigas, Makati, Timog (QC), BGC (Fort) and Alabang, are more targeted towards the young urban professionals. The idea is to provide a quick and efficient workout for those who are pressed for time. 360 Fitness has always been known for its 30-minute circuit and group exercises classes designed to challenge any level of fitness.
So what makes 360 Pro different?
Well, the setup looked different from their regular Fitness Clubs. There were no circuit stations in sight. I found a lot more space to move and double the amount of equipment compared to the branches I’ve been to in the past. Based on just this observation, I can already tell that the place was structured to accommodate a bigger group of clients.
Instead of stations, they had pillars. And instead of 10, they had only 5. Are the pillars the same as circuit stations? Not really. Coach Pam led us through each of them. The rubberized flooring came in different colors and we were told that each color marked one of the 5 pillars.
5 ATHLETIC TRAINING PILLARS
There is probably a better way to explain this but I’ll write things down based on how our session went and how I understood them. The 5 pillars when combined, according to Coach Pam, lay a complete and solid foundation that allows you to perform optimally and achieve targeted goals.
Pillar 1: Promote (Green)- The most important pillar, in my opinion. Here’s where all the preparation happens. Core-centric exercises not only get you warmed up, they also activate the muscle groups that protect your spine getting them ready for the next exercises, especially lifting.
Pillar 2: Propel (Blue) – The blue area is where exercises that focus on strength and power are done. The workouts here primarily involve medicine balls and barbells Most of them encourage explosive movements –my major weakness.
Pillar 3: Protect (Red)- The protect area is somewhat similar to circuit training. We were given a sequence of exercises using a kettle bell and the Jungle Gym (this changes per client and per session).
The whole point of it is to promote functional strength that would protect the body from injuries especially in the case of athletes.
Pillar 4: Prolong (Turf)– THE FINISHER. The final stretch of the workout that almost had me throwing in the towel. The fake grass gives you the feeling of running and moving on an actual field adding traction and making some of the workouts even more challenging.
It’s the final meltdown of your workout that’ll get your heart racing and will drive you to your edge until you get to…
Pillar 5: Progress (Mats!)- The time of my visit was only a couple of days before the mats arrived so we stayed at the Turf to stretch. Most athletes take this part for granted mainly because they do not enjoy the pain of a good stretch. Knowing just how beneficial stretching is to one’s body (athlete or not) in the long run, I was impressed that 360 Pro made sure this was part of their training program.
We got to sit down and chat with Coach Pam while stretching and she gladly answered a few of our questions. To summarize, 360 Pro is NOT JUST a gym/a training facility for athletes. I mean, sure, you go there to train and work out but that’s not all of it. The 360 Pro team is working hard to cover all your bases down to Nutrition and Sports Psychology.
Your coaches do not stop working as soon as your session ends, they’re there to make sure each goal, whether individual or as a team, is met. In short, every visit to 360 Pro is a personal/custom training session and once you sign up, you also make the commitment to stick to a regimen and a lifestyle. The programs they design are tailor-fit for each team or individual and won’t ask you to FIND time to train but will require you to MAKE time for it.
Do you have to be an athlete to go? Of course not. As mentioned, every thing is crafted based on your needs, fitness level and goals. The upside to that is you get to train like an athlete. 😉
The verdict? The whole concept of 360 Pro is a game changer. With all the hype in fitness today, I am in awe of how simple yet organized and well-thought-of the entire program was. Indeed, there’s no need to be “fancy” or to overcomplicate things. Team 360’s edge is and has always been their clear vision and genuine care for clients leading to their effectiveness in delivering results. Coach Chappy Callanta and his team has done it yet again.
360 Pro is located at SPARTA (Sports Recreational Training Area) along Pioneer, Manadaluyong. Find out more about them through their website www.completethecircuit.com or follow them on Instagram: @360Pro.
P.S. Make sure you also check out my ongoing #OneFitYear giveaway in collaboration with 360 Fitness Club. We’re giving away a one-month membership at any 360 Fitness Club branch! Read more about it here.
