I’ve stopped working out with my virtual mentor in the Your Shape Fitness Evolve Game for our XBOX Kinect. I realized that I push myself further when it’s a live and real human being standing in front of me. As for those who have followed my articles, you would know by now that it has been a year since I have last worked out (as in really WORKED OUT!). I think I still need to build strength, flexibility and most especially, muscle endurance. I realized this right after climbing up just two flights of stairs in a mall in Ortigas. Hey, for the year that I missed my work outs, I had a valid excuse. It was the order of my doctor. But this year, i’m free to do whatever exercise or physical activity.

Last week, my sister-in-law, Manila Mommy, urged me to try out Plana Forma. To that, I uttered “what’s that?”. She said, “I think it’s like Pilates, yoga and ballet all in one…” I was intrigued by how she described it. When I came back from a short trip from Vietnam, she got to try one class already. She said that I would love it and encouraged me to try it out. I was convinced, and before I knew it, I was already registering my name on the Forma-Asia.com site and booking a class.

THE ANTICIPATION
We booked the 10:30 am class. I brought a tumbler of cold water (as suggested by Ate Nina). When we got to the building (the studio is in the 6th Flr. Jecoprime Building, 20th drive in McKinley Business Park), I felt the excitement of trying a new kind of workout! When you have a hard time looking for the place, just go to the American Cemetery rotunda at the Bonifacio Global City, and you will see a green glassed building (unfinished). That’s the building where Plana Forma is located. They have parking on the 4th floor.

Plana Forma Studio

Plana Forma Merchandise

Upon entering Plana Forma, there was a reception table at the far end of the room. There were merchandise being sold at the left side of the reception area. To the right, the windows were all clear glass, so the place was well lit. We were greeted by two very pleasing ladies, Tina Lagdameo (whom later I found out was a director of LC Corporation, the company which brought Plana Forma to the Philippines) and Shine. I told them that I wanted to pay for a Single Class. Currently, they have a promo for beginners or new enrollees. When you book a single class, you get one for FREE. A single class is at Php 650. You also have to bring or buy non-slip socks. I didn’t have any with me so Tina was kind enough to show me the non-slip socks available for purchase. I bought the Plana Forma socks worth Php 300.

The teacher of the class that we signed up for was Julie Alagde-Carretas. Julie is the Co-Founder, Director of Training for Plana FORMA. She was trained in Physique 57 in New York City. The Plana Forma here in the Philippines is the only studio outside the US that have experienced and trained teachers that can teach the technique. True enough, my ate was right to say that Plana Forma is a mix of Pilates, Yoga and Dance.

THE CLASS
I left my things at the locker my ate and I shared. I immediately hurried to an approximately 20 square meter area. The room can accommodate around 15 people. There was a mirror in one end of the room and bars were bolted into the wall. The bars reminded me of the bars that we held on to during the ballet lessons that I took when I was a child.

This petite, toned and lean girl was standing in front of us with a wireless microphone. She was our teacher, Julie. She greeted us and then immediately took us through rigorous sets of bicep curls, tricep extensions and little squats. I already felt the burning in my muscles. What seemed like forever was actually only five minutes. She then asked us to stretch. “Finally”, I thought. She then spoke onto the microphone and said, “Okay, class. That was your warm up for today. Now, let’s begin.” That was just the WARM UP?! I was already panting a bit and feeling sore.

She then took us through toning exercises, concentrating on a specific area first and then moving on towards the next area after. There were times when I would stop and rest. I would then gather all the energy to join the class again. I realized that I wanted to finish the set, because of two things: 1) I wanted to regain the strength and endurance I had before; and, 2) I wanted to look hot this summer!

THE EFFECT
I was sore all over, but I felt great! I felt rejuvenated (even if my thighs were hurting so much!). I will definitely go back to participate in another class again. If you are the type that wants to be challenged and if you’re the type that wants to see results — long term results that is, then Plana Forma is for you. I’m glad I got to try this new kind of work out!

For those interested to enroll, here are the rates for their classes:
Single Class – Php 650.00
5 Class Package – Php 2,900
10 Class Package – Php 5,300
20 Class Package – Php 10,200
New Comers monthly unlimited would be at Php 3,000.00

If you are one who wants to challenge yourself, check out the Plana FORMA 4×4 Challenge.

Plana FORMA 4x4 Challenge Winners

Contact Details:
If it’s your first time, do call these numbers for them to reserve you a slot in your preferred class:
Mobile Phone Number: 0917-8094392
Landline Number: (+632) 5530870