Royal MNL Fitness: The Dream Gym

In Photo are Mr. Conrado “GK”Gicanal with Team Royal MNL Fitness

Lots of people dream of being in shape, having a well-toned body, and maintaining optimum health. That is why they exercise at the gym. Now, while some sporadically rush to the fitness machines, especially after all the holiday bingeing, others have made it their lifestyle choice to work out all that accumulated calories.

This dream dovetails with the lifetime aspiration of ConradoGicanal, or GK, as he is fondly called. Having a passion for fitness, GK had always wanted to have his own gym even when he was still a kid. And so, after years of hurdling one challenge after the other, a journey from rags to riches then from riches to rags and now on his way up the wheel of fortune again, he finally decided to fulfill his dream by opening Royal MNL Fitness at the Level 3 of Fisher Mall on Quezon Avenue, Quezon City.

GK’s inclination towards health and fitness was also inspired by his former career as a real estate broker. As a sales professional, he knew that being presentable and looking good were assets in his field.

Exercise Machines

From commissions culled from selling properties, GK took a leap of faith in 2014 and established his first company, Royal MNL, an apparel business. Within two years, he was able to grow the business; he now has three printers, his own heat press, and five stay-in employees in his office near SM North. At this point, GK realized that with the fast-changing pace of market trends in apparel, his business may be in for some tougher competition in the next two to three years. He felt it was time to get into another enterprise. Thus was born Royal MNL Fitness, the dream gym that he had always wanted. 

Let’s do this!

Royal MNL Fitness’ open concept allows clients to view everything that the gym has to offer even at first glance. After breezing through a warm and welcoming reception area, they may first notice the group of exercise machines on the left side of the 850 sqm meter space. There, trainers and coaches are on hand to assist clients with their regimens.

GK is very particular with how clients are treated by the coaches. Having been a client in other gyms himself, he laments the lack of compassion for the paying customer.  He recalls, “After you enroll, a coach is appointed to teach you. But after two days, the coach is already trying to sell you other programs. Because I did not buy any of what he was offering, he left me alone to my own devices. It was a good thing I knew how to execute the correct fitness routine. But what about those who don’t? They were enrolled for six months or one year and they paid this much, but nothing happened because they were left alone, because they did not buy any more programs.”

The rubber flooring of Royal MNL Fitness prevents damage to the floor should heft weights are dropped.

 GK wants to change this mindset of aggressively pursuing revenues over the welfare of the clients. So when he opened Royal MNL Fitness, he told his coaches: “I don’t want to have that same culture in this gym. I want all of you to have compassion for the clients. Whether they buy more programs or not, as long as they are enrolled, we should be there to guide and assist them with the proper way of doing their fitness routines.”

This kind of approach is also a good marketing tool, for as clients’ needs are met, this same people will share their pleasant experience with their friends; by word-of-mouth alone, the good news about Royal MNL Fitness will spread on a positive note.

Aside from the exercise machines, health buffs have more to get excited about when they go around Royal MNL Fitness gym. Those who take their cardio workout seriously can climb all the mountains they imagine while navigating the treadmill and elliptical machines situated by the big bay windows. There is a boxing ring for practicing those Pacquiao moves. A track oval is available for those who want to run around or cross train.  An activity area hosts classes for zumba, kinesis, wushu, aikido, capoeira, taekwondo, and other styles of martial arts. More fitness and wellness programs are in the pipeline as GK grows the only gym at Fisher Mall.

And now, GK’s dream is evolving. He says: “I want Royal MNL Fitness to become a chain of gyms, targeting three branches every year.” In fact, he is considering opening a branch at the Fisher Mall currently under construction in Malabon. And he is also setting his sights on the South, with Fisher Mall in Alabang coming soon.

Though his second business is undergoing its birth pains, GK is unfazed. He is grateful for the support coming from his apparel company, as well as his clients. “I believe the Lord will provide,” he says. “And if you are hard-working, diligent, and focused, your business will grow and be successful.”

For more information, follow Royal MNL Fitness on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Royal-MNL-Fitness-1614146445278212/ or call 02-2855440 ; 0905-3921428 ; 09205577934.