ALA Gym now in Manila

The fabled ALA Gym traces its roots to Cebu and through the years, has been the stomping grounds of fighters like Donnie Nietes, Merlito Sabillo, Rey (Boom Boom) Bautista, A. J. Banal, Arthur Villanueva, Genesis Servania, Milan Melindo, Jason Pagara, Rocky Fuentes, Malcolm Tunacao and even former world champions Gerry Peñalosa and Rodel Mayol.

 It was in 1986 when businessman Tony Aldeguer set up the first ALA Gym inside the Aldeguer Group of Companies compound in Nasipit, Talamban, and nursed his love for boxing.  His mission was to bring honor to the country by producing world boxing champions.  As the ALA (initials of Antonio Lopez Aldeguer) Gym gained prominence here and abroad, it became a byword in fitness training.  Today, Aldeguer manages the careers of over 50 fighters and his Talamban gym is home to more than 100 professionals who use the facilities to get ahead in their careers.  Beyond reaching out to professionals, Aldeguer opened fitness gyms for anyone who wants to get and stay fit.

 In Cebu, Aldeguer owns five fitness centers at the Banilad Town Center, Paseo Arcenas, Bridgetown, Plaza Margarita and Pueblo Verde.  They are all located in exclusive subdivisions and high-end commercial areas with utmost security.  

 The clamor to add Manila to Aldeguer’s landscape led to the recent inauguration of the ALA Boxing and Fitness Gym at No. 25 Balete Drive, New Manila.  “We thought of introducing the ALA fitness concept to Manila to provide not only physical conditioning and weight loss but also professional training and coaching using the pure methods of a boxing fitness program,” said Aldeguer.

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 The program integrates fitness and plyometric exercises which provide total cardiovascular conditioning for sports and cross-training through drills with bags, speedballs, punch mitts and circuit training.  “Boxing doesn’t only help you to be in your best shape and guarantees strength and endurance but also boosts stamina, self-confidence, quick weight loss, reduction of stress and improvement in overall health and well-being,” said Aldeguer.  “Our boxing fitness workout is really fun and weight-inducing.”

 The Balete Drive sweatshop is a 200 square meter layout, fully air-conditioned with a private bath and toilet.  Training suits, sporting goods and fitness-related merchandise are available for sale in every ALA Gym.  “With our new Metro Manila gym, we hope to touch more lives and help others to get fit,” said Aldeguer.  “For being healthy is not only being slim but it’s about gaining strength and confidence which boxing gives.”

 Aldeguer said there are plans to open more gyms in Metro Manila.  “We are open for franchising,” he said.  “Right now, one of our gyms is operated by a franchisee in Cebu.  With the increase in demand for health and wellness, we are excited to expand our business through franchising.”

 At the Balete Drive gym, four former boxers are available as personal fitness instructors, namely, Ralph Lulu, Lito Dante, Leon Maratas and Jimboy Mayang.  The facility can accommodate 30 individuals training at the same time.   A typical workout program consists of warming up by jogging, walking or skipping rope, stretching with the bamboo pole and medicine ball for the arms, legs and abs, cross-fit training with the TRX (total resistance exercise), step-up box, gym ball, ladder, rope, footwork drill, light dumbbells/rollers, bagging, punch mitting in the ring (one-on-one with trainer) and cool down/stretching.

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 The most popular training equipment in the gym are the TRX, gym ball, ladder, rope, bags and punch mitts.  “Our gym is different from others because of our unique training programs, complete boxing equipment, separate showers and toilets, hands-on management, quality of service, fully air-conditioned workout area, spacious parking, professional trainers, availability of trainers at any time of day with no appointment required and no membership fee,” said Aldeguer.  

 Aldeguer said all individuals training at the gym are assisted by professional fitness instructors from start to finish.  “We don’t allow trainees to train without instructors,” he said.  Fees are extremely reasonable.   Walk-in fee is P350.  For five sessions, the charge is P1,650, for 10, P3,200, for 12, P3,750 and for 15, P4,300. A monthly rate of P4,500 will allow unlimited daily use of the gym.  

 ALA fighters like WBO lightflyweight champion Donnie Nietes often drop by the Balete Drive facility particularly when they’re in Manila for training or publicity visits.  Pictorials and shoots for advertising materials are usually done at the gym so it’s an added treat for trainees to rub elbows with world-class fighters.  

 For inquiries related to franchising or availing of the facilities of any of the ALA Gyms, please call +639333389340, +639175750595 or (032) 2362611, (032) 3605307.