‘Wala na ta nagkabatan-on karong panahona ug kita tanan ganahan magpuyo sa kinabuhi nga himsug ug maayong panlawas para sa atong pamily, sakto?’
With the family on top of his mind, Jiggs took an extra mile in his fitness, engaging himself to various sports and eventually CrossFit, knowing it’s one way that he’s investing in his vitality.
Jiggs Monzales, a Cebu-bred research and development supervisor, is not new to fitness. Though being exposed to sports like volleyball and racket sports his entire life, work and family duties are now his priorities. He is no fan of a Dad-bod but as years pile up to his age, aging took its toll to his body and health, and he knows that he must do something.
‘Being sick now is not an option. And skipping fitness because of work is no longer an excuse. Weekend warrior fitness is almost of no good.’ A family man, a corporate worker, an all around guy – each has its own physical demands, pushing him to the verge to up his game in fitness, with a wife and a daughter he needs to attend to.
This father of one, along with his wife, Chelou, are now staple faces at Primal Ape – a CrossFit facility in Chino Roces, Makati. Tagging along their daughter to the CrossFit box, it’s the couple’s way of exposing their daughter to fitness at an early age.
‘My wife, who was referred by her officemate to try CrossFit, is the first one to catch the CF-fever. Both of us were really looking for a gym where we can take our fitness seriously. And to be honest, this is the only place where we stayed for more than a month.’ Jiggs felt that the place was a right fit for them, where they easily gained new friends and workout buddies.
Apart from the community, he is really keen on quality programming and coaching. ‘The very best thing [about Primal Ape] is that coaches not only gives instructions, but professionally guides you along the way and makes sure you are doing it right.’
Day in and day out at the box, Jiggs ultimately realizes the goals he set for himself – improved stamina to last a tiring day, less muscle soreness, improved overall posture, and a body ready to bond with his family in the weekends, without feeling too tired or too burnt out from work.
‘Growing old is inevitable, and I think CrossFit taught me, and placed me in a situation where I can appreciate my fitness right now, so I’d always be healthy to look over my family.’ At 41, Jiggs had promised himself a lifelong fitness from then on. ‘It’s now a commitment not just for myself but for my wife and daughter above all.’
And as what all Dads do best, he left us with a dad joke: ‘Try CrossFit because at Primal, once it CROSSes your path, you will surely get FIT. Dad-bod, OUT.’ We get it Jiggs.
Train with dads like Jiggs at Primal Ape CrossFit in Chino Roces, Makati. Twitter and IG: @weareprimalcf.