How Paolo Villarroel designs his gym for the new normal

Before the coronavirus hit, the last thing on our minds was shutting down our businesses or losing our jobs. But for those who are lucky enough to still be in operations and employed in the wake of the pandemic, there’s always this lingering anxiety about the future.

And this anxiety isn’t serving anyone well. It’s tough to stop the creeping nervousness that persists.

Veteran fitness coach Paolo Villarroel, who owns and operates Paolo’s Fitness Lab, the new gym at Manila Polo Club, shares that one way to get out of that “black hole” is to be physically active.

“Exercising not only helps boost the immune system, it also supports an individual’s mental health,” explains Paolo, who has been in the fitness/sports industry for almost 30 years.

Paolo makes it a habit to work out regularly at home five to six times a week to stay fit and healthy and to keep COVID-19 at bay.

“Working out also helps release stress and all the negative feelings I’m having while in lockdown,” Paolo adds.

Like most businesses, the fitness industry is one of the most affected during the pandemic.

The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases listed fitness clubs and centers as those that would remain closed even during GCQ because of the high probability of transmitting the virus as people share equipment.

“Since no gym or fitness center will be allowed to operate during the ECQ, MECQ down to GCQ, that translates to zero income for us,” laments Paolo.

But that doesn’t dampen Paolo’s spirit as he thinks of ways to better manage the situation.

Safety comes first

Like most gym operators, Paolo is preparing his fitness lab for the “new normal” by implementing these safety measures:

• Mandatory temperature check

• Contactless check-in for members. To limit interaction between staff and clients, all transactions may be done by phone or online.

• Constantly keeping the gym area and equipment clean and sanitized.

• Encouraging members to bring their own water bottles, mats, etc. for hygiene purposes.

• Limiting members to working out at a given time (social/physical distancing). Gym members might find grids taped on the floors to enforce social distancing.

• “No contact” policy during personal training sessions

• Educating staff members on cleanliness and good personal hygiene

• Mandatory wearing of mask and face shield for staff

But even without access to the gym, Paolo offers online classes and reminds fitness club members to stay committed to exercising so as not to lose their gains.

“A 30- to 45-minute workout a day is recommended. Just don’t push yourself to your physical limit,” he advises. “I prefer frequency (number of times) with less intensity. But some can also do more exercises but lessen the frequency. 

Meanwhile, Paolo shares these simple workout routines you can try and alternate at home  — while still in lockdown — as he and his fellow gym owners/operators gear up to get back in the game.

For cardio:

• Jumping jacks

• Running in place

• Squat jumps

• High-knee running in place

For strength:

• Squats

• Lunges

• Push-ups

• Tricep clips on chair or bed

For the core:

• Crunches

• Leg raises

• Planks - side planks

But even with all the hoops to jump through, Paolo can’t wait to see his gym family again and is looking forward to experiencing the “new normal.”