Photos from Bjorn Manila
At one point in our lives, we’ve all said magpapapayat na ako (I’m going to lose weight) or magg-gym na talaga ako (I’m finally going to the gym); and with absolute determination, we’d follow through on insane restrictive diets and overwork ourselves at the gym.
Since crash diets and overtraining won’t get you maintainable results, though, you’d already be back to being a couch potato after a couple of weeks, scrolling through endless Instagram posts featuring glistening 6-pack abs. Alas, the vicious cycle repeats itself. After having witnessed how these superhumans truly live to maintain their gorgeous figures, I think I’ve finally cracked the code to achieving that #bodygoal in a way that’s safe, maintainable, and healthy.Â
An occasional gym-goer like me was able to attend the first ever Bo Athletics Fitness Bootcamp alongside popular fitness bloggers, the Tao Tribe (@TaoTribeph) and SM Youth Ambassadors (@sm_youth), which sent me into a flurry of equal parts excitement and anxiety. I had a front row seat to witness how these mythical creatures were able to achieve their Photoshop-worthy physiques.
After reaching the famous Flotsam and Jetsam Hostel in San Juan, La Union; we got introduced to our Tao Tribe coaches and fellow bootcamp attendees.
Seeing these people in real life and realizing that they look exactly the same (if not better) sans filter made me have second thoughts about what I had gotten myself into. Could I really work out alongside these fitness superstars and make it out the other side alive?
I’m definitely not one to give up on a challenge. I got myself into this; only I can get myself through! Immediately after introductions, we got divided into two separate teams and quickly got immersed in a palpable fighting spirit.
Here I am dying with a hybrid of a sprint and squat activityÂ
We played team building-esque games that encouraged not only the physical, but also the mental connection of all of the participants. You each had to put in an equal amount of effort to get to that sweet taste of victory. Nothing like competitiveness to bring people together!
Kaila Estrada making us think that squats are the easiest positions to hold
This was a super difficult event, but power couple Christy McGarry and Eduardo Lara make it look like a beach commercial
Crawling on all fours on a sandy surface is just a piece of cake for Jose Villablanca
I got a whole day’s worth of cardio and strength training down, and also had tons of fun. I was also able to foster connections, create great memories, and make lifelong friends! Endorphin rush and sweat-drenched bodies? Double check!
Read on for more!
