Pull-ups: fitness without going to the gym
In a show of
strength, agility, unity and charity, Ilonggo calisthenics enthusiasts joined other athletes around the world in the
simultaneous holding of the World Pull-Up Day recently.
The Iloilo
leg was held at the Molo Plaza, which has pull-up bars in place. These bars
that are used for pull-ups, a common calisthenics exercise, were donated by Barista
Street Workout-Iloilo sports team pioneer John Paul Santamaria.
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World Pull-Up Day Iloilo participants
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Santamaria
said that calisthenics is very efficient because one can do it anytime and
anywhere such as on the street, that is why it is also called a street workout.
He has a good physique akin to a bodybuilder, but Santamaria said that he has
not worked out in a gym. Credit goes to the
physical training from his athletic pursuits like calisthenics, mountaineering
and basketball, among others. He said that doing pull-ups is ideal for busy
people like him because the city’s plazas have bars where one can practice for
free.
In a pull-up
exercise, the participant lifts his body up until his chin is of the same level
as the bar and then goes back to the starting position and then goes up again
while grabbing the pull-up bar. It is harder than it looks, because it requires
practice and strength.
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Jerricho Espanola at the pull-up bars
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"We want
to help build a fit society through free exercise using one's body weight. It
is easy to inspire others because the movements are different and free,"
he said.
Santamaria’s
friend Kenard Montenid, said that calisthenics
has made a big impact on his life. "I lost 15 kilos in just three months.
Instead of spending all my time partying and playing on the computer, I do
street workout. The more I practice, the stronger I become. House chores that require lifting have become
easy,” he said.
“It was hard
at first, but Guts (nickname for Santamaria) kept on motivating me. No pain, no
gain," he said.
Improve Iloilo’s youth
Jerricho
Espanola, who led the Barista Street Workout-Iloilo team in organizing the
Iloilo leg of World Pull-up Day, considers the event special.
"It made
me feel that I had a connection with our city's youth. Being able to teach
calisthenics will surely improve and inspire the youth of Iloilo and fulfill
our team's mission. If it wasn’t for motivation or inspiration, I would have
failed street workout," Espanola said.
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| John Paul Santamaria and ABC Molo president Cirilo Lapascua |
"I was a
troubled athlete back then. I was a nobody from elementary to high school. Now,
I have found a source for my well-being and I need to let the others find
theirs too. This is why I will try my best to entertain all of the city's youth
when it comes to street workout. It is not just a workout, it is the art
form of life," he added.
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Pull-up bars donated by John Paul Santamaria
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ABC Molo
president Cirilo Lapascua who was present at the World Pull-up Day celebration,
said that the local government welcomes the donation of pull-up bars.
"This is timely. Kids will have fun and learn to appreciate physical
fitness."
True enough,
kids as young as nine years old are frequently seen trying their luck at the
pull-up bars.
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Friends of Kids with Cancer Foundation, Inc. auditor Carol
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See more of the World Pull-Up Day Iloilo leg in this video
