Rain or shine, now is the best time to start your fitness journey. Whether to feel good about yourself or prepare for your vacation at the beach, getting in shape is always done best when you’re inspired and having fun, says TV/events host, fitness instructor, and PLDT Home ambassador Vince Velasco.
“The key is to do something you find fun so you avoid burning out, and then, to consistently work on one’s weaknesses and integrate them with the exercise that they love,” he shares as his number one workout advice.
Vince spends a lot of time keeping fit at the gym, and as a diehard NBA fan, he takes inspiration from some of the strongest and most athletic basketball players in the league — all of whom, he follows closely on social media and in the games accessed through the NBA League Pass powered by PLDT Home.
In terms of fitness inspirations, the NBA fan admires Michael Jordan and Dwyane Wade for their lean musculature. Vince also digs the body conditioning state of Russell Westbrook, given his swift ability to bounce back from injuries.
Beyond their display of pure athleticism, Vince loves the NBA for the intense rivalries and matchups. As the NBA Finals draws closer, he gets to view the games and the play-by-play commentaries on his gadgets anytime of the day through an NBA League Pass powered by PLDT Home.
“The NBA League Pass is a game-changer for us especially if you know the technicalities of the game,” Vince says. “It offers live stats so you get to track the teams’ standing, and because I’m always on-the-go, the multiple viewing feature makes the experience optimized whether I’m watching from a phone, a tablet, or a laptop.”
Vince also enjoys the interactive features of the NBA League Pass. “The polls and other activities in the app keep the games interesting,” he says. “So aside from witnessing the games live and on-demand, there’s also the entertainment aspect that can be appreciated by die-hard basketball fans and after-hour athletes alike.”
Over time, Vince’s fitness journey has helped point his career trajectory toward hosting, modeling, and even acting. The hunk has become one of the most sought-after fitness instructors in the metro serving as an inspiration to many others — and more! Curious on how Vince reached and maintained his peak form? Read on to know more about his fitness pointers!
- Draw from your motivation
Keeping fit is always easier said than done. For Vince, like most fitness instructors used to teaching in a studio, it posed a greater challenge once the pandemic struck the country.
From his studio work as a boxing and high-intensity workout instructor, Vince eventually took his classes to the digital space. He later witnessed the rising demand for his Zoom classes and fitness videos, as more people ramped up their home workouts to beat the cabin fever. Through PLDT Home Fiber’s fastest and strongest connection powering his home, Vince was able to conduct his workout classes with no interruption.
Vince might have gotten back to teaching in-person, but he finds a continuous stream of clients still subscribing to his online classes. He finds teaching others as his own way of paying it forward to those who are struggling with their own fitness goals and other body issues.
“At one point in my late teens until my early 20s, I became overweight. I was depressed and always grumpy. I was juggling a few personal issues here and there. And the thing about not having things in control in your life is that you look for one thing you can improve,” he says.
- Take it easy
To lose weight, Vince first went through rigorous exercises and put together a calorie deficit program for months. He kept his workouts intense with cardio sessions and strength training sessions. He followed a clean diet, staying away from sweets and other processed foods.
“During those early years, I would fall off the wagon from time to time. Later, I learned to take things slow and methodical,” he recalls. “Now, I just eat intuitively, work out consistently, and stay in a calorie deficit diet. Unless you’re trying to be Mister World or Miss Universe, there’s really no need for you to be averse to desserts and carbs all the time.”
Instead of focusing too much on the intensity when it comes to your workout routine, Vince advises minding your frequency and consistency. For your workout, he adds, try familiarizing yourself with compound exercises that target the whole body. “Not everybody’s fitness needs are the same,” he says. “My go-to programs are movements that engage multiple muscle groups at the same time, and thus make a good foundation for any program.”
For those of you looking to target the whole body in your workout, Vince has designed the following as a start-off point.
- Jump squats - 3 sets; 15 reps each
- Rest accordingly
- Squat holds - 3 sets; 40 seconds hold, 20 seconds rest
- Plank shoulder taps - 3 sets; 30 reps (15 each side)
- Lateral shuffles - 30 seconds
- Stay inspired!
Vince keeps himself motivated through the support of his family and friends. “My personal fitness journey wasn’t all smooth sailing. I had to work on it, and improve my fitness and career goals from a more realistic and enjoyable perspective,” he says. “Now, I find it extremely exhilarating to pass on that feeling and mindset to others.”
For non-stop basketball action, PLDT Home subscribers can avail of of the monthly NBA League Pass package at PHP 485. The pass provides unlimited access to an entire season of NBA games in high-definition for one whole month. For more information on how to enjoy the NBA League Pass via a PLDT Home subscription, check out pldthome.com/nba-leaguepass