STAYING IN SHAPE: Kamaruddin works out with the ‘hammer strength’ machine.
SOLID Gym at Tapang Timur 1 Road in Sungai Antu, Sibu, offers a wide range of training equipment – mostly from the US.
The gym which opened in Dec 2010, now has more than 600 members, aged between 18 to 50 years.
One of its owners, Lau Kah Yii, believes the gym gained its popularity among this age group because they are more aware of the importance of good health and physical fitness.
He said he with his two other partners – Alan Lee and Wesley Tiong – ventured into the business because of their interests in bodybuilding and weightlifting.
“The gym has a hall area of 3,600 sq feet and is equipped with treadmills, smith machines, chip-dip assists, bench press machines, vertical press machines, lat machines, leg extension machines, commercial e-cycle and commercial spinner bikes.
“We are planning to expand the area another 2,400 sq feet to accommodate more machines and members.”
The gym opens from 9am to 9pm from Monday to Saturday and from 2pm to 7pm on Sunday.
NEW MEMBER: Ling Hung Ying is among the increasing numbers of members working out at Solid Gymn.
The charges are – RM100 one-off entrance fee and RM80 monthly membership fee for men, and RM50 one-off entrance fee and RM50 monthly membership fee for women.
“Non-members can make use of the gym by paying RM20 (for one day) for men and RM10 for women,” Lau said.
Car salesman, Kamaruddin Morni, 49, a Solid Gym member, took up bodybuilding in 1990 after being introduced to the sport by a friend.
In 1991, he won the Mr Sibu title and finished runner-up in Mr Sarawak contest.
“I took up the sport to keep fit and healthy. One day, a friend suggested I should join a bodybuilding competition, so I signed up for the Mr Sibu contest,” he recalled.
Kamaruddin said after that, he stopped for a while to concentrate on his job. He got back in shape again in 2001 and has been pumping iron ever since.
“Bodybuilding requires discipline. You must watch what you eat and work out regularly if you want to build muscles.”
He added that he would encourage others to take up bodybuilding because it is a good form of exercise.
Another gym member is Edric Jiau Yew Ang, 21, who aims to be Mr Malaysia one day. He joined the gym more than a year ago.
In June last year, he took part in the Mr Sibu contest and was runner-up in the junior category (21 years and below).
He said he started to like bodybuilding during his schooldays. His interest grew after leaving school.
“The sport helps me build self-confidence and stay in shape,” he added.
Eric trains at the gym five days a week and two hours per session not only because the gym is near his home but also that it has a complete set of equipment.
BIG PUSH: Ridzuan (seated) gets a helping hand from another gym member with the ‘hammer strength’ machine.
Ridzuan Mohd Fadil, 29, is another member of the gym. He joined bodybuilding contests for fun in 2008.
“For now, I don’t intend to take part in any contests,” he said.
“I work irregular hours and don’t really have time to exercise.”
But that does not mean he has stopped working out altogether.
“As a member of an enforcement unit, I must continue to keep fit,” he said.
Ridzuan goes to the gym at least twice a week and exercises for three hours each time.
He also said he would encourage others to take up bodybuilding.
To know more about the Solid Gym, go to Facebook or email [email protected]