Gym Review – Fifty 5 Champion Fitness Center – MIRI

The Latest Gym in Miri – September 2013

Located at Jalan Datuk Edward Jeli, Miri, Sarawak is Fifty 5 Champion Fitness Center. At the moment the membership rate is still at RM100 (1 time payment) per person and monthly RM50. Per Entry is RM8

Located at Jalan Datuk Edward Jeli, Piasau Area

It’s very easy for Mirian to find since everyone should know Ng Sen Hiap / Shin Yang HQ / Kenyalang area.

So how’s the gym. I’ve been given the right situation to try it out. If not, probably i would have waited till next month to test it out. Anyways, I guess one thing i 1st notice is the sweat. I barely stood in the gym for more than a minute and im already sweating and its the night cool breeze outside. There is a good amount of windows to get the air circulated but only if there are wind blowing. The owner installed suction fan on the ceiling but its not helping. According to the owner, they plan on installing the ceiling fan so I believe by then the temperature will improved for better workout experience.

Other than that, i would say the gym is a very functioning gym for Miri standard with vast amount of weights and equipments. Well equipped. Some machines are still on the way. From what Iv heard from the boss, a cablecross machine is coming (Thumbs up) a leg press machine too (Kudos) (iv even asked if they allow more than 200kg on the leg press. lol) *No kidding* the owner said “YES! which gym would be such a joker to limit the maximum amount their member can lift promised that its safe)

A good range of solid dumbbells

The dumbbells are solid. And I do mean solid iron. With a few weight having a few sets. it would cater for a groupie exercise. Not mistaken 10kg dumbbells having 3-4 pairs.

A big spacious gym with nice weights and equipments

The gym’s got plenty of benches and room for standing without getting into each others face.

The E-Z Barbell and vertical grip barbell

And better still, 2 E-Z Bar so you don’t have to fight for it with an option of a vertical grip barbell.

Shoulder Press Machine with isolation options

So It was my Shoulders day. I managed to try this piece out. Although the arms not smooth due to misused by the members who are not familiar with the machine. It’s still good. The owner is going to replace the bearings soon. I like this machine because of the motion curving in as you lift, it gives you a dumbbell press feel.

Machine Leverage Lat Pulldown with isolation options

The Leverage Lat Pulldown. Most of the lat pulldown in Miri are of the traditional cable type. This ones giving u a great strict motion all the way for a good squeeze.

Seated Row Machine with isolation options

This is the right angled seated row machine. With the full motion from a good stretch all the way to a good deep squeeze.

Triceps Extension machine

I … emm.. don’t use this.. hahaha .. bt if u like a good tricep action then by all means.

Leg Extension Machine with isolation options

The 1st i’ve tried is at Tru Fitness, Brunei. And I love it Isolated Leg Extension, Leg extension. Supersets it.. just in one sitting plus with the free weights motion, u can get it really strict out.

Lying Leg Curl with isolation options

Lying Leg curl with the option to do it in isolation is another good piece to offer for the miri market.

Decline free weight Bench Press

Decline Free Weight Bench Press station for those free weight pecs enthusiast.

Smith-Machine by BodySolid

I  wont say its a good set for this here. It wobbles and i’ve commented to the trainer to check if its properly screwed and the counter weight is just a turn off i guess. I love the smith-Machine but counter weight is just not the thing.

Shoulder Press Rack with safety stoppers

Now this here is a killer. You can go really heavy but then have a spotter behind. A good free weight station for the shoulder press.

This is a fully free weight gym with tons of benches, machines with free weight plates rods to add weights.

The flat and incline free weight bench press station is a good must have for any gym.

Squat Rack. A good station for those heavy squatters

Heavy Squatters gona be smiling all the way to this station.

Well, this is for those who like to roll in gym

I don’t use this too… my abs are built in the kitchen.. soo… anyways….

This gym offers a Personal Trainer too. He is a national athlete in the power lifting sports so you can be sure he knows intensity and weight.

So Miri’s market is growing and im happy to see more gyms blooming. Enjoy guys.

My take?

2.5* out of 5 (just cause no fan or aircon and only till the rest of the machines arrive) but its recommended to those who loves hardcore heavy workout

For enquiries, call 013-8070078 or come to Lot 1917, Blocks C&D, second floor, Jalan Datuk Edward Jeli, Piasau Industrial Park, Miri.

Gym Review – Phoenix Gym Kuching – Part 2 – THE WEIGHT ROOM – C

The last post for this Massive Behemoth Gym in Kuching, Sarawak. So here is one bench I don’t use for many years now. Most love it for their decline sit ups.

Decline Bench

I call this the Ronnie Coleman Size Padded Lean Over T-Bar Row. Cause I’ve given it a shot and felt the length is too much for a shortie like me standing at 169cm. So I tried the weird. I went in front of the pad, slide my lower back and rested it below the iron rig of the pad and it works more than just fine. Due to the stopper on my lower back, it became a strict bent over T-Bar Row. lol

Padded Leanover T-Bar Row.

Multiple grip for different angle of the lats I’d say this one is a great piece if the pads adjustable.

This is another rare piece to be found here in Sarawak. I won’t say I hate it but the size is not meant for me. lol

A solid padding for the upperarm is very important for the preacher curl motion. I love this solid and comfortable platform. Although, I still miss the ones I use back in the days. The standing version.

Seated Preacher Curl for free weight bar is one of my favourite but i still miss the standing preacher curl set.

Yes, that’s a lot of dumbbells. And its good to have more catering to different crowds and needs. Kudos.

Dumbbells in numerous size on a proper rack

And a mass selection of fixed barbells reduce the hassle of swapping plates and all. And its more safe in a way that the weights dont jiggle with the clips.

And fix barbells

And for the heavier dumbbells selection. Its a good amount I’d say.

Heavier selection of the dumbbells

A quality adjustable bench is really important. Due to all the movable parts some gyms ended up with shaky benches after inappropriate usage.

Solid bench is the basic of all safety in any exercise. Iv been to gyms with wobbly benches.

It goes all the way down to flat. Some gym offers up till 20 degree and ul have to change the bench for flat usage.

Its good that the gym is well organized with the benches and the free weights on one end away from the machines.

I would prefer a seated bench for my delts workout or trapz shrugs. gives more space and headroom for different angles.

Seated Bench is very important in a gym just as much as those decline, flat and incline benches

Iv yet to really try out the kettlebells workout but i’ve heard its fun.

More kettlebells for different workout needs

Heaps of dumbbells for your pleasure as well as proper storage for the olympic bars so it wont be lay around causing danger to the members.

lots of olympic bars to cater for a huge crowds.

Don’t you just love gyms with special equipment which other gyms don’t have. Provided its a functional tool which works. Hexagonal Barbell hit the market not too far back but its making a name for its placement and function really targets the right angle and flow of the workout.

THIS IS DEFINITELY THE 1ST IN SARAWAK. Hexagonal Barbell. Great use for squats, Shrugs, Deadlifts.

There you have it.. a long over due post of a gym review when i was in Kuching. You just have to love this gym. Although its a bit pricy but then you pay for the quality and a good workout. It will burn a bit of the budget but if you are serious and utilize this gym to its max potential, I’d say its good to go.

The Price List

This is the January Price List. Im not too sure if it has changed but for your reference only*

given it.. id say 4.5* out of 5 recommended.

(P.s the shower and changing room is HUGE)

*Subject to change according to the gym – this is January 2013 price