Manila hosts biggest NBA Fit week program

MANILA, Philippines - The first-ever NBA Fit Week will be held on Aug. 6-15 in Manila, serving as the largest NBA Fit program ever conducted in Southeast Asia.

The event, held under the auspices of the NBA Cares umbrella, is the NBA’s comprehensive health and wellness program that encourages physical activity and healthy living for children and families through programs, events and products.

No less than Miami Fil-Am head coach Erik Spoelstra will grace the event along with assistant coach David Fizdale plus celebrity athletes and local health, fitness and wellness experts.  

Under the program, fans can participate in free fitness and basketball activities such as cardio and kickboxing classes, Bollywood dance classes, urban fitness training, and two time-based basketball and fitness competitions: the NBA Fit Challenge and Dribble Dish and Swish. 

Fans can also learn valuable tips on nutrition, hydration and healthy choices from renowned experts or receive health and BMI checks and nutritional counseling on-site. 

NBA Fit Clinics will be held at the SM North EDSA Annex on Aug. 7 and 8, at Far Eastern University and De La Salle University on Aug. 10, and at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall on Aug. 15.

Registration is free at event venues.

Meanwhile, Spoelstra will host a one-day NBA-style training camp for some of the country’s top men’s and women’s cagers on Aug. 11.

The top 80 prospects, selected by the UAAP, will learn the latest NBA techniques and fitness training and will take part in advanced hydration “sweat tests” and tailored nutrition seminars.

Also on tap is the NBA Fit fun run, co-organized by RunRio, which will take place on Aug. 14 with featuring 3K, 5K and 10K races.

A total of 2,000 spots will be given on a first-come, first-served basis. Listup will be at RUNNR, Bonifacio High Street at The Fort, and at Fitness First, SM Mall of Asia branch.

Spoelstra and his staff will also bring the NBA Fit message to the youth through basketball and fitness clinics in San Pablo, Laguna and in Metro Manila.

“Filipino NBA fans are extremely passionate about the league and this program will provide them with an authentic NBA experience in their own backyard,” said NBA senior vice president and managing director of NBA Asia Scott Levy.

“NBA Fit is a terrific program and I am excited to return to the Philippines to promote the importance of healthy living to Filipino children and their families,” said Spoelstra. “Basketball is such a huge part of my life and giving back to our community is meaningful to me. Being able to combine basketball and my heritage gives me great pride.”