As a city in perpetual motion, Makati isn’t Makati without the endless stream of buses, cars, and bikes plying the stretches of Ayala and Makati Avenues, the heart of the central business district. The premier city’s elevated and underground walkways are constantly bustling as well, providing thousands of pedestrians with convenient facilities to get to their destinations, whether it’s an office in a high-rise building or one of the many restaurant and retail options in world-class malls.
But there are other ways this city encourages you to keep moving. Parks and open spaces like Ayala Triangle Gardens on the corners of Ayala and Makati avenues and Paseo de Roxas Street, Washington Sycip Park and Legazpi Active Park in Legazpi Village, and Jaime Velasquez Park (or Salcedo Park) in Salcedo Village attract joggers and bikers at all hours.
If organized activity is more your thing, Makati has that, too, in spirited dance and dojo classes. The country’s leading city for business, lifestyle, entertainment, and culture even has something for adventure-seekers who thrive in the unpredictability of escape room games.
Shall we dance?
Nude Floor at Ayala Malls Circuit offers the gamut of dance disciplines—from ballet and vogue with ballroom culture to more contemporary choices like hip-hop, popping, house, soul & funk, and waacking—not a typo, but a circa ‘70s street dance. Sign up for 60-minute lessons with the studio’s reputable network of instructors and choreographers.
The Studio Dance Club in Legazpi Village is a nod to the classic ballroom scene. Drink, dine, and dance to timeless disco music in elegant Art Deco-inspired interiors. Born with two left feet? Let the club’s in-house dance instructors gently lead you through salsa, samba, swing, and themed dance parties like Disco Friday, Saturday Boogie Nights, and K-Pop Nights.
Where to get your kicks?
KMA Fitness and Martial Arts in Salcedo Village has something for every member of the family. Aside from Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Taekwondo, Muay Thai, judo, boxing, arnis, and fitness kickboxing, there’s even an anti-bullying course for kids. Certified instructors lead classes.
Capoeira Kadara Philippines in Bel-Air holds classes on the Brazilian discipline that marries martial arts with dance, aerobics, music, and even spirituality. The group is led by Instructor Leao, under the guidance of Mestre Cicatriz, founder, president, and head mestre of Kadara Capoeira International.
The Lab is a boxing and Muay Thai fitness studio in Legazpi Village that’s known for its highly skilled trainers and quality equipment amenities. Open for both members and non-members, the studio aims to help all reach their full fitness potential.
Elite Boxing and Muay Thai Gym is a new workout spot in Salcedo Village if you’re into boxing and Muay Thai training for fitness and weight loss. Its coaches include current and former national team members or professional champions who are also capable of offering advanced training for professional athletes.
Cycle House in Salcedo Village is a fun music-driven indoor cycling studio that combines cardio and strength training. Its thematic classes like its Britney nights or K-pop rides are developed by cycling and fitness experts to make sure you effectively hit every single muscle group for that total body transformation.
Need an escape?
Left Behind at Ayala Malls Circuit gives you and your gang 45 minutes to get out of a ladies’ restroom (Flushed), the basement of a house in the middle of a forest (The Basement), or a mine in the far north mountain of Amarok (The Mines). Consider it a fun after-office alternative to your usual exercise routine, or a great way to bond with family and friends.
