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It’s graduation season! After spending for the tuition and other fees and expenses entailed to give kids the best education possible, here comes one more item to pay for - the graduation.

When media pays greater value to supreme looks and sharp physique, how can one escape the wanting to get the best look he/she can possibly achieve? While some will say it’s all about feeling and looking good, others believe that one’s future self will surely thank him/her for the healthy way of life he/she subscribed to today.

And so we ask, fitness invest – is there such a thing?

As a starting point, let’s take a look at what Euromonitor.com said - Alongside the increase in health awareness amongst Filipinos has been a surge in patronage of dietary supplements in recent years.

On Sports nutrition

Though a lot of women desire to have a slim body, very few aspire to have a chiselled figure. Even if a lot of females go to gyms and as are active in sports as men, a greater majority do so in order to remain fit or address weight problems and not to have well-defined muscles. As such, it remains the male consumers who drive demand for sports nutrition to assist in their desire to achieve well-toned muscles.

Total Nutrition Corp, exclusive franchisee of GNC, maintained its lead in sports nutrition with value sales accounting for 38% of the total in 2013. Aside from its high brand equity, its network of stores allows consumers easy access to its products. The company also sustains interest in its brand through advertisements in radio and print media, events, press releases and social media marketing. Endorsements by celebrities and athletes are likewise undertaken, which helps further build the brand’s image.

Sports nutrition is predicted to post a steady growth over the forecast period to return a constant value CAGR of 5%. A well-built body is expected to remain as the notion of attractiveness amongst the male population. As such, demand is predicted to be derived mainly amongst men. Women’s notion of beauty, meanwhile, is not projected to change to include sporting well-built muscles despite the more equal treatment between genders in the society.

Source : euromonitor.com

On gym membership

Lara Parpan, editor-in-chief at Women's Health Philippines, shared one should set aside about 5% of your disposable income for a gym membership.

"The 5% is just about gym membership. We're not even talking about the shoes, equipment, the gear you need, and all that," Parpan told ANC's "On The Money".

"But I'd like to think that the 5% or any number you put for fitness is not an expense but an investment in your future. I think that's one way that people should look at it," she stressed.

Parpan shared that current gym memberships cost around P3,000 to P10,000 a month. The basic packages already include being able to use all the venue's amenities, unlimited number of sessions and a couple of sessions with a personal trainer.
The rise in the rate comes as one opts to have a personal trainer for each session he visits the gym.

Source: abs-cbnnews.com

On Getting fit in style

Take Marineth, an Ortigas-based call center employee who frequently plays badminton with her friends.

“I rarely play badminton without my wrist strap and my favorite racquet. Somehow, I feel stylish and seem to play better whenever I use them,” she said.

Louie, a marketing officer from Makati City, never steps on a basketball court without his favorite rubber shoes.

“Kasi nakakatulong din kung comfortable ka sa suot mo. Plus, pogi points pa lalo na kung maganda sapatos mo,” he said. For people like them, staying fit does not mean falling out of style.

“Basically when you play a sport, you want to be stylish. That’s why we have our play plus style concept,” said Anton Gonzales, CEO of Planet Sports, Inc., a successful line of retail outlets selling fitness and sports apparel. Gonzales said fitness enthusiasts know it's important to look their best whenever they train or compete. Some even buy matching tops, bottoms and shoes from the same store.

He said it was this trend that prompted him and his team to redesign their eight-year-old Planet Sports concept store in Power Plant Mall, Makati City.

Source: abs-cbnnews.com

Century Tuna’s Superbods campaign

Developed for loyal consumers of Century Tuna, the website was created to guide everyone on the road to their personal transformation as “Superbods.”

“We all know that Century Tuna Superbods is one of the most awaited summer events in the country and this year, we are making it even more exciting by enjoining our consumers to be part of the Superbods experience,” said Greg Banzon, general manager of Century Pacific Food Inc.

He adds: “We are making it possible for our consumers to work on becoming fit and healthy. It’s a huge effort for us — we have tapped two of the country’s most trusted fitness experts to put this website together — but it’s something worth doing as part of our commitment to promoting health and fitness among Filipinos.”

Source: philstar.com

So whether getting fit is just for the summer or a lifetime mission, remember to always consult your doctor to find the best fitness plan for you that will of course, fit your budget.