StarBulletin.com

Nightclub health club


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POSTED: Tuesday, September 01, 2009

The upbeat music of a nightclub provides enough rhythm to get people on their feet on the dance floor any night of the week. Rod Redondo of Force Fitness is using the same flow of energy to get people moving during the day as well, during Pau Hana Power Hour fitness sessions at Pipeline Cafe.

“;Music keeps people motivated,”; said Redondo, personal trainer and CEO of Force Fitness. “;There's lots of energy. We're bringing the health club into the nightclub.”;

Force Fitness began hosting fitness classes at Pipeline last month to create “;a social fitness party”; where participants can get a good workout — combining kickboxing, strength training and yoga — while finding opportunities to network.

“;You work out at the gym to look good at the nightclub. You go to the nightclub to mix and mingle. It makes sense to bring the two together,”; he said. “;Pipeline is known for its concerts; now it will be known as a place for fitness, too.”;

Redondo also plans to introduce a half-hour power workout at lunch time.

“;Our goal is to personalize group exercise,”; Redondo said. “;It doesn't matter if you are a 20-year exercise veteran or it's your first day, we will break you down and build you up.”;

Adding an element of fun, the last Monday of each month is assigned themes. “;Eighties Night”; is set for September, and “;Fright Night: Angels and Demons”; in October will teach the dance moves from Michael Jackson's “;Thriller.”;

Redondo said he hopes people who visit the nightclub/restaurant for happy hour will squeeze in some exercise, as well.

               

     

 

PAU HANA POWER HOUR

        » Classes: 6 to 7 p.m. Mondays
       

» Place: Pipeline Cafe, 805 Pohukaina St.

       

» Cost: $10

       

» Try it out: A free class is held 7 to 8 p.m. on the first Wednesday of every month at Aloha Tower near the main stage.

       

» Call: Rod Redondo, 265-1859, or see www.ForceFitnessHI.com

       

“;Guys can come watch Monday night football and enjoy happy hour while their wives and girlfriends work out,”; said Redondo.

Pipeline offers $2 to $3 happy-hour specials on food and drinks from 5 to 8 p.m. And although it might seem perverse to follow exercise with alcohol and bar foods, the menu does offer salads and vegetable plates.

“;At least there are some healthy choices on the menu,”; said Redondo. “;We aren't suggesting that people drink before their workout, but if they go afterward, at least they have worked out first to earn some calories.”;

ON A RECENT Monday afternoon, Fitha Dahana-Ellis was attending class for the second time.

“;I absolutely love it. The music is so loud, and it's dark so you're not aware of the people around you,”; she said. “;I had a baby four months ago, and I'm trying to get back in shape. If they had classes a couple times a week, I'd come.”;

Redondo hopes the classes will eventually help build a fitness-minded community.

“;There aren't really any established fitness networks in the islands,”; he said. “;I hope to create a community where personal trainers, exercise instructors, massage therapists, chiropractors and wellness professionals can come together to mingle and offer referrals to one another.”;

Redondo said he meets too many individuals who believe thinness achieved through dieting is preferable to exercise.

“;They might look healthy, with not much body fat, but everyone needs a certain amount of lean muscle tissue. Increased muscle can only be obtained by eating more calories and tough resistance and core training,”; he explained. “;Lean muscle is needed to burn fat, increase metabolism and allows the body at rest to burn more calories more efficiently.

“;From a structural standpoint, people with a significant amount of lean muscle tissue are less prone to injury.”;