Arts
Finding the right fitness
Their interest in strength training and conditioning stem from their days of playing rugby for their schools. For Shuaib Jabbar, the level of training and the carefully designed routines at Royal College gave him a taste of the subject. Similarly Darren Hakel wanted to learn more about health and fitness after playing for the rugby team of St Joseph’s College.
Darren Hakel
Shuaib Jabbar. Pix by Sameera Weerasekera
After leaving school, the two of them met while working part time with a mutual former coach who had started his own training facility. Deciding to follow their dreams, they abandoned the corporate world to pursue coaching full time — and on October 1 last year, the pair began operations at Kaizen Fitness.
On the road to achieving that perfect physique or a higher level of fitness, the gym is simply a tool. Additionally, a one-size-fits-all workout schedule can lead to injuries and demotivation at the lack of progress. It is the coaching, guidance and understanding that everyone has their own starting point that ultimately plays a key role, and is the central focus of Kaizen Fitness.
As they celebrate its first anniversary, founders Shuaib and Darren share with us what it takes to live your best and healthiest life by your own standards.
The word ‘kaizen’ is a Japanese management concept which stands for ‘continuous improvement’, which relates to their philosophy that you can improve from your existing fitness level. They aim to create a community that is empowered to live better lives in the peak of health, by designing and coaching scientifically backed workout programmes to build and continuously improve the health and fitness of each of their members
“We don’t go serving the same spoon to everybody!” says Darren, explaining that they take into account each person’s training history and injuries, and work with doctors and physiotherapists who give them guidelines on how to manage these obstacles and determine how to overcome them.
“If we give you a particular exercise and you can’t do it, we toy around with it and see if it’s because you’ve never done it before and don’t know how to, or if you’re actually trying but lack the flexibility or mobility or strength,” Shuaib explains. “That’s where we need to find out what we need to do to enable you to do it.”
Doing their own thing: Clients at the Kaizen gym
Together they share five years of experience each in the field of coaching. Darren holds a Level 1 certification from the Australian Strength & Conditioning Association, together with a Level 2 certification as a Certified Functional Strength Coach. Similarly Shuaib too has a Level 1 certification from the Australian Strength & Conditioning Association, and is currently pursuing a Professional Certification in Nutritional Coaching.
Their customised programmes include the Athlete Development Programme for sportspeople specifically tailored to increase their athletic capabilities, as well as the Rehabilitation Programme for pre and post surgery. The majority of clients fall under the Personalised Fitness category, for personal development, fat loss strength gains and more. They have also just started a female-only class with a female coach on two days a week, for those who need a female-only environment to be comfortable working out.
Though clients work out in groups, each person is on their own schedule with Darren and Shuaib monitoring their specifications. They have worked with people from very different backgrounds, from professional athletes to beginners, adults and kids, as well as pre and post surgery rehab and injury rehab patients.
As of now Darren and Shuaib run every aspect of the business, from the moment a client contacts them, to the finance, cleaning, maintenance, coaching, designing of schedules and every other aspect of running a gym that is open seven days a week. But as Darren puts it, “when you’re doing what you love, it doesn’t feel like a chore.”
For many people, the motivation to go to the gym amidst their busy lives is often the biggest hurdle. But Darren and Shuaib tell us that even those who have tried other approaches before can feel the difference at Kaizen Fitness. “It’s not so much to do with aesthetics, it’s about having more energy, being able to get through the day better, being able to come back from work and have the energy to play with their kids,” Shuaib says, adding that they also try hard to be flexible with their time.
This flexibility came in useful during lockdown when they, like many other gyms, began remote coaching. What Kaizen did differently is that they would send their clients personalised videos of themselves doing each exercise using household items like water bottles and backpacks as equipment, taking them step by step through their circuits like they would in person. Ultimately, they believe it was a good test for them as coaches to adapt and test their knowledge of the fundamentals.
This level of personalised care is what has kept Kaizen Fitness’ clientele rising steadily, especially through word of mouth. “I think the only reason we can confidently say people are happy is because they’re bringing more people!” they tell us. Their approach towards exercise, health and fitness is rooted in sustainability and longevity, which matters even more as you age.
“Our oldest client is in her 60s, and she couldn’t do things like lifting clothes baskets or getting out of bed without difficulty. She can deadlift now!” Shuaib tells us with pride. “That’s why we believe in this model so much. Anyone can do it, and not just do it but get better.”
Find Kaizen Fitness at 279 1/1 R. A. De Mel Mawatha, Colombo 3, or visit their Facebook or Instagram page @kaizenfitness.lk