"YOU want me to do what?" I splutter to the buff-looking young man, clad all in black looking like someone out of the 1999 science fiction action film, The Matrix, starring Keanu Reeves. A small whimper of dismay escapes my lips as I suspiciously eye the giant set of ropes lying by my feet.
"That's known as battle ropes. Don't be intimidated by them. We can use these ropes as part of our warm-up," begins Alif Ghazali, EQ Hotel's resident exercise trainer, who, with his crew-cut and rippling muscles, leaves me in no doubt that he'll have no problems whipping me into submission — I mean, action!
"Okay, feet hip-width apart, point your toes forward, bend your knees a bit," he says, tone kind, before placing the ropes (each one weighing 5kg) into my outstretched palms. "Now grip. Try to move both your arms at the same time, then down, using your full range of motion," instructs Alif, smiling encouragingly in response to my grimace.
I'm gonna so mess this up, I mutter to myself, acknowledging my lack of coordination. "Err, like this?" I ask, turning slightly to my incredibly patient trainer as the battle ropes begin to undulate in front of me like a confused snake.
Brows furrowed in concentration, I recall from the recesses of my mind — where I generally store useless information from all my random reading — that battle rope exercises are among the best ways to maximise our cardio endurance and stoke our metabolism.
According to a study in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, you actually need to do 30-second bursts of battle rope exercises followed by one-minute rest intervals for this to work properly. "29… 28… 27…" I can just make out Alif's enthusiastic countdown in between my laboured huffing and puffing.
"Good! After that, do another round and we can move on to the rest of the equipment ya?" hollers my affable trainer, before chuckling good-naturedly at my withering glance. Thankfully, I manage to complete the "prelims" and before I know it, I find myself contemplating excitedly the interesting little circuit in front of me. Holding court in the centre is something akin to a swish, multi-functional exercise rig.
This must be the Omnia 8, "the world's most versatile functioning training equipment", I muse, recalling the tone of pride lacing EQ's Public Relations manager, Tiffany Chung's voice over lunch months before when she told me about the exciting fitness and pampering "sanctuary" located on the 29th floor of the hotel.
Designed by Blu Water Studios, the interiors of Sanctum Wellness, which houses an award-winning spa and state-of-the-art fitness centre, are inspired by Malaysia's rainforests. "It's going to be open to the public soon," she'd gushed, before adding excitedly: "You're going to love the Sanctum Fitness, a high performance centre curated by Technogym with first-class equipment and a stylish functional training space. Maybe do a one-on-one circuit training session!"
I can't wait, I reply, in between mouthfuls of an utterly sinful chocolate cake!
HI-TECH FITNESS
"This is the first hotel in the Klang Valley to have a functional training area like this…" Alif's voice suddenly slices into my wandering thoughts and I'm immediately summoned to the present — and back to my trainer's bemused gaze. Walking me around the "compact" exercise area, he proudly explains the functions of the different components.
"There are many exercises that can be done within this little circuit," he continues, before sharing that most of the other hotels have a normal gym with the usual equipment like treadmills and strength training machines.
Omnia, which means "all things" in Latin, is an equipment that offers countless possibilities for training — from strength, to resistance, stability, flexibility, coordination and speed. In addition to the Battle Ropes, I spot some kettlebells, a Push & Pull Bag, and a couple of items that I've never seen before. "What are those?" I ask Alif, pointing to a pendulum-looking thing attached to the "rig" and a ball that looks pretty heavy.
"That's the pendulum," he replies, before elaborating on how I should be doing that particular exercise. "Just need to suspend the body from a fixed point, and swing back and forth…" Got it! I duly learn that the front pendulum exercise is good for conditioning and helps build coordination and total body strength.
The ball? I cock my head towards the object on the floor. As usual, balls get me excited (netball, football, tennis ball la) — and this one's no different!
"Ah, that's known as the slam ball," replies Alif, before explaining that it's a popular workout tool with athletes due to its versatility. Depending on which exercises you do, the ball gets you to work your shoulders, triceps, pecs, calves, back and core.
I'm going to have fun with that one, I say to myself, beaming at the thought of slamming the ball down onto the ground, over and over again. Of course, that's before I actually discover that I need to hoist that heavy thing over my head, slam it down, and complete the move with a squat before repeating it all over again!
"Jom, let's begin!" says Alif enthusiastically as I waddle over towards the starting position like the beached whale that I am. "Aiyaaa, how tough can this be," I mumble, thinking of all those nights of badminton and netball and futsal that I religiously partook in.
Oh wait, that was pre-Covid days. Let the torture begin!
PAMPERING BLISS
There's nothing better than the promise of a pampering massage, especially after a rigorous and sweaty "encounter" with Mr Omnia 8. The fact that I was going to get to try something from the menu of an award-winning spa made it so much sweeter.
Sitting in the pleasantly tranquil lounge that overlooks the infinity pool, I listen expectantly as the soft-spoken therapist attempts to explain just what I'd be in for. There's a wide range of massages, body treatments and facials, in addition to combined therapies to choose from.
The spa has partnered with two specially selected brands — Biologique Recherche from France and Marzia Clinic from Italy. The former offers high performance products that are developed to be as pure, concentrated and natural as possible. The latter, meanwhile, is well known for its Chromotherapy concept that combines wellness and nature into its skin and beauty treatments.
The treatment and wellness packages here are designed to seamlessly blend the concept of Chromotherapy and the use of natural ingredients. There are five main Chromotherapy colours, with each colour signifying the benefit and result that you desire at the end of your experience.
"Which one would you like?" asks the young therapist softly, as she places in front of me a selection of essential oils to choose from. A long pause ensues as I scrutinise the "offerings". Indeed, the menu is expansive.
"Energy!" I say to the girl, pointing to the concoction which comprises geranium, clove, fennel, cypress, lime, and rosemary. She nods, smiling her approval. "That one has anti-ageing properties and is also good for uplifting and energising," she elaborates patiently.
"So which massage will I get?" I enquire curiously, barely able to contain my excitement. "The Sanctum signature massage, ma'am. And you'll also have a nourishing facial, which combines the hydrating benefit of avocado extract with propolis," is her soft reply, before she excuses herself to prepare for the session.
Scanning the spa menu in front of me, I take the opportunity to find out what I'd be in for. There's Aromatherapy massage, Balinese massage, Deep Tissue, Traditional Malay Urut, Hawaiian Lomi Lomi, Swedish massage and yes, the Sanctum Signature Massage.
"The Sanctum signature massage is inspired by gentle tree movements. You're lulled into a deep state of relaxation through the rhythmic technique with precision to engage all senses…" So the description reads.
At this terribly exhausted juncture, gentle tree movements sound absolutely divine. Let the senses be engaged!
OTHER DELIGHTS AT SANCTUM
Tropical Monsoon Shower
Don't leave Sanctum without checking out the delightful Tropical Monsoon Shower. It's not just any shower but one that will awaken a melange of senses. Journey through colourful, warm tropical rainfall, before moving onto refreshing cold water mist and ending with an ethereal waterfall shower.
Himalayan Salt Sauna
How about a bit of detox through salt therapy? Also known as halotherapy, salt therapy has been used for hundreds of years as a means of naturally maintaining health and wellness. Linger at the Himalayan Salt Sauna, but don't stay too long or else risk getting dehydrated! 10 minutes should do it or at least until you start perspiring.
Salt sauna is a sauna consisting of a combination of Himalayan salt bricks and heat. By gently heating the Himalayan crystal salt, the moisture-attracting properties of the salt get activated, allowing for the natural humidity in the air to condense on the surface of the salt rocks.
Infinity Pool
Head out for a swim or just tread water as you take in the breathtaking view of the Kuala Lumpur Tower and the surrounding area from the 25-metre-long infinity pool. What's cool about the pool, aside from the view is that it's equipped with hi-tech underwater speakers, which allow you to enjoy a continuous playback of calming tunes, whether you're underwater or above.
Vitality Pool
Overlooking a panorama of the KL city-scape, the Vitality Pool is a hidden haven that features a jacuzzi and water jets to stimulate circulation as well as soothe tired muscles. It's so relaxing feeling the rush of water and the soothing caress of the afternoon sun on my bare shoulders that I swear I'd have happily stayed here all day — given the chance!
For more details, go to www.eqkualalumpur.com/facilities/sanctum-fitness/.