Fitness First!

Blog article for Aerobics Culture during field trip: March 9 and 10, 2012

One of our goals for the field trip we had was to observe and compare the aerobics culture inside a mall and in a hall of a university. This task was seemingly easy but when we got there already, it was actually a complicated thing to do. One had to take note of every single detail in order to come up with a logical and realistic comparison while looking at the big picture. One also had to stay focused despite of the merriment and fun atmosphere going on during the sessions.

Anyway, the fact of the matter is that I did my best, to observe and analyze the similarities and differences of the activity.

General Ambiance

SM Calamba Open Area: Inside the mall, based on my observations, I’ve noticed that there was some sort of exclusive, elitist or rich feel to it. It is possible that the venue itself was a factor to be considered because of – the air-conditioning, tiled floors, the paid parking lots. Everything inside a mall is commercialized. All we all know, the mall is the main venue for the practice of consumerism and this aerobics session's ambiance definitely shows that the participants are willing and able to spare cash for such leisurely activities.

UP Los Banos Baker Hall: In Baker Hall, I don't think I felt a hint of elitism or exclusivity as I entered and immersed myself in the activity. Again, I believe that the venue would have to be the main reason for this ambiance. The use of the Baker Hall was for free, anyone can enter, there are no security guards to check the bags, the parking slots are not to be paid, the floor was bare cement, the stage was old and the whole building had a rustic feel to it. This session also, was definitely less formal and constricted as compared to the mall aerobics.

Participants

SM Calamba Open Area: I noticed that almost all, if not for the one gay guy, of the participants were women. I believe this is because it is common for women to visit the mall more often than most men do. I saw that their clothes and shoes are mostly branded and expensive looking ones. Sketcher's and Puma's were all over the place.  Also, some of the participants of this aerobics session were quite familiar with one another. Individuals join smaller groups one by one and chat with friends or perhaps kumares while waiting for the session to start. However, I notice that some participants were first timers as they kept asking what time the session will start or whether the class was easy or hard to other early comers. The regular ones were in a very expressive and loud group. I guess they had the grasp of the session's nature already and were confident enough. This group stayed in front of everyone in the session. As for the age range of the participants, a good estimate would be that they are mostly of the ages late 30's to early 50's. I believe this is the age where women would have the thought of doing exercise because they already lost their figures due to work and/or house chores and they already want their bodies back in shape. It is possible also that most of the participants were women in this age was because they had spare time in the evening where work is done already and yet it is too early to rest or have dinner. 6-7pm is a perfect time slot for these ladies. Participants were not too particular to the steps of the aerobics session as often, the steps were done on wrong sides at the wrong timing but no one is complaining because again, it is not too much of a big deal for them. A good 60-70 participants joined the session.

UP Los Banos Baker Hall: Here again, participants were more simple. There was a wider range of gender distribution. I saw several straight looking men whom I hope were actual men along with more women and some children as well. Their clothes were normal exercise clothes. Some of them didn't even have proper exercise shoes and one person danced with bare feet. The age range of this session was also wider as compared to that of SM's. This was possibly because of the time slot of this session. Early in the morning, before going to school or to attend mass, the children can join their parents. As for the steps, most participants were able to do the steps correctly and with 100% energy. The session started with a small amount of participants possibly because of the early call time but as it progresses, people kept coming. A good 120-130 participated in the session.

Trainer

SM Calamba Open Area:  The trainer for this session was with a girl. She came in late and for me she was too clumsy and too detached to her audience. She used pop instrumental tracks which had counting and beats synced with the movements she made. The intensity of the session itself wasn't too hard and I believed it remained that way until the very end

UP Los Banos Baker Hall: There were four different training to lead the participants. Here, the trainers seemed to become more approachable even if they stand on a tall stage. Each of the trainers taught with their own styles and own musical tracks. This was a plus for me because I wouldn't want to dance the same thing over and over. The intensity of the session itself was increasing as the session progresses. 

Special Notes

SM Calamba Open Area: There were many curious passers by who stop and observe for a while because it is sort of weird to find an aerobics session inside a mall. There as a man who rounded the participants during the session and he had a list with him and he asks the participant's last name. I think this was for attendance.

UP Los Banos Baker Hall: I especially loved how the fresh air helps the breathing of the participants. It was simpler yet for me, more effective.

It's nice to see so many participants for both sessions and to be able to observe them all. I never had proof before that even if the same activity is being done, there can be different ways to do it and therefore sort of change or alter its purpose or objective.

♥ Reese Corpuz