by Aude Camus
How much have you been working out lately? I must admit that, between my maternity leave and the closure of gyms studios following Hong Kong’s government new measures to fight COVID-19, I have been very lazy. And I can definitely feel that I do miss the sweat. Not only does my body feel different, my mind also isn’t as clear and focus as when I stick to a regular workout routine. It’s crazy to see the impact a single hour of sweat can have on your mood and abilities. I need the shake and sweat to find balance in my life, it is what helps me to unwind, pause my brain and let go of any stress and anxiety. Like Andrea Ramirez, owner and head coach at boutique studio AndFit, says “our body are designed to move” and I’ve decided to take on a few tips from her on how to stay active during this semi-lockdown and how to let go of anxiety and embrace the inevitable changes generated by the current situation.
Hey Andrea. Thank so much for taking the time to answer my questions. Can you start by quickly introducing yourself? Where does your passion for fitness come from?
How much have you been working out lately? I must admit that, between my maternity leave and the closure of gyms studios following Hong Kong’s government new measures to fight COVID-19, I have been very lazy. And I can definitely feel that I do miss the sweat. Not only does my body feel different, my mind also isn’t as clear and focus as when I stick to a regular workout routine. It’s crazy to see the impact a single hour of sweat can have on your mood and abilities. I need the shake and sweat to find balance in my life, it is what helps me to unwind, pause my brain and let go of any stress and anxiety. Like Andrea Ramirez, owner and head coach at boutique studio AndFit, says “our body are designed to move” and I’ve decided to take on a few tips from her on how to stay active during this semi-lockdown and how to let go of anxiety and embrace the inevitable changes generated by the current situation.
Hey Andrea. Thank so much for taking the time to answer my questions. Can you start by quickly introducing yourself? Where does your passion for fitness come from?
I was born in Costa Rica a beautiful and gorgeous country in Central America. A dreamer and cheese and wine lover, I have a love for life which comes as a fire inside me and drives me into everything I do.
I was first introduced to fitness when I was 12 years old, looking at my mom following aerobics classes on the tv. Since then, I have known I would one day become that lady leading the classes behind the screen. I had that hunger to get there and when I was 17, I called the show and I asked that lady to mentor me. She thought I was cute, invited me in her show and the rest is a long story.
20 years later here I am. I have been party of several fitness shows, earned a few awards, have my own youtube channel in both Spanish and English and have also opened two boutique studios, AndFit, in Canada and in Hong Kong.
I understand that you are quite a fitness celebrity in Latin America. Why did you decide to move to Hong Kong?
Million-dollar question ... My friends back home all thought I was nuts when I decided to move.
When I look back at things, I guess I have always wanted to travel and always knew I would live in many different countries.
In 2008, the financial crisis hit us strong in Costa Rica and I knew it was time for me to move. I was literally scrolling at Facebook and bumped into a friend (another trainer) who was posing on a hk junk at one of those amazing Sai Kung beaches and I was like omg where is he? So, I messaged him and asked so many questions about hk and he said I should visit him. I had no job offer but he connected me to a few gyms, I sold my car, gave up my apartment and two months later I moved to Hong Kong. I was sold from the minute I landed.
I was first introduced to fitness when I was 12 years old, looking at my mom following aerobics classes on the tv. Since then, I have known I would one day become that lady leading the classes behind the screen. I had that hunger to get there and when I was 17, I called the show and I asked that lady to mentor me. She thought I was cute, invited me in her show and the rest is a long story.
20 years later here I am. I have been party of several fitness shows, earned a few awards, have my own youtube channel in both Spanish and English and have also opened two boutique studios, AndFit, in Canada and in Hong Kong.
I understand that you are quite a fitness celebrity in Latin America. Why did you decide to move to Hong Kong?
Million-dollar question ... My friends back home all thought I was nuts when I decided to move.
When I look back at things, I guess I have always wanted to travel and always knew I would live in many different countries.
In 2008, the financial crisis hit us strong in Costa Rica and I knew it was time for me to move. I was literally scrolling at Facebook and bumped into a friend (another trainer) who was posing on a hk junk at one of those amazing Sai Kung beaches and I was like omg where is he? So, I messaged him and asked so many questions about hk and he said I should visit him. I had no job offer but he connected me to a few gyms, I sold my car, gave up my apartment and two months later I moved to Hong Kong. I was sold from the minute I landed.
I love the city, its energy, the people who live here, the opportunity Hong Kong has to offer …
You describe AndFit as a Costa Rican brand inspired by the power of nature, mindfulness and fitness bringing the Pura Vida lifestyle to Hong Kong. What is the Pura Vida lifestyle?
Pura vida is a happy way of life. It’s about balance, about being present for your family and enjoying good food, music and gathering with your friends. Us Costa Ricans we also use the pura vida phrase as a way to say hello or when people ask us how we are. We say oh pura vida!
You describe AndFit as a Costa Rican brand inspired by the power of nature, mindfulness and fitness bringing the Pura Vida lifestyle to Hong Kong. What is the Pura Vida lifestyle?
Pura vida is a happy way of life. It’s about balance, about being present for your family and enjoying good food, music and gathering with your friends. Us Costa Ricans we also use the pura vida phrase as a way to say hello or when people ask us how we are. We say oh pura vida!
HK is such an intense city. Hong Kong to me is a city of over achievers and people who are up to building their own empire in a way and the city responds to those personalities and type of people. However, we all know balance is key to have a good mental and physical health. We all need to find ways to relieve stress, anxiety and that’s where the Costa Rican pura vida lifestyle comes in .
What has been the deepest challenge you’ve faced as an entrepreneur in Hong Kong?
There have been many challenges … but I think the deepest one has been to make our AndFit family understand that our online classes are not worth less than the classes in the studio. People wanted free IG classes and/or big discounts on their packages, which I understand, but it wouldn’t be fair to instructors who are not putting any less efforts and time in those online workouts.
And the greatest reward?
As a business owner, being able to provide jobs is rewarding and is building something together with my staff. Another great reward is to be able to impact all my clients mental and physical. The current times are challenging ones, causing stress and anxiety, and being able to offer a relief from it and receiving sweet messages and thank you notes from my clients is such an achievement.
2020 has been a challenging year for many entrepreneurs and, in Hong Kong, the fitness industry has been highly impacted with the social distancing measures. How do you think the COVID-19 crisis will be reshaping the future of your industry?
COVID-19 is reshaping the way we exercise and do business in this industry but most importantly it is changing our mindset. As a business owner, I’ve realised is time to let go of any attachment I had to a business plan and step up my game. Agility is key. You have to understand that COVID-19 won’t suddenly go away, it will stay with us for a while and this is a reality we have to embrace in order to survive as business owners.
What would be your pro tips to help us stay active while the gyms are close?
Move, move and move! Our bodies are designed to move. Once the endorphins kick in is the greatest feeling in the day and your mind opens up and gets creative. Having no equipment is not an excuse, you can use towels as sliders, fill bottles with sand or rice for weights, use a chair and play some great music and move around your house.
It’s also a great time to try something new, in the comfort of your home.
The fitness industry is an ever evolving one with new disciplines coming up all the time. Any trend/new discipline you’ve tried lately and see as something that would last?
I discovered soul body fitness, a combination of barre, pilates and fitness, last year and loved it so much that I did a training in Shanghai to become a certified body fitness coach. I love how fun this discipline is and the way it tones my body is just amazing.
Your fav places in Hong Kong for:
What has been the deepest challenge you’ve faced as an entrepreneur in Hong Kong?
There have been many challenges … but I think the deepest one has been to make our AndFit family understand that our online classes are not worth less than the classes in the studio. People wanted free IG classes and/or big discounts on their packages, which I understand, but it wouldn’t be fair to instructors who are not putting any less efforts and time in those online workouts.
And the greatest reward?
As a business owner, being able to provide jobs is rewarding and is building something together with my staff. Another great reward is to be able to impact all my clients mental and physical. The current times are challenging ones, causing stress and anxiety, and being able to offer a relief from it and receiving sweet messages and thank you notes from my clients is such an achievement.
2020 has been a challenging year for many entrepreneurs and, in Hong Kong, the fitness industry has been highly impacted with the social distancing measures. How do you think the COVID-19 crisis will be reshaping the future of your industry?
COVID-19 is reshaping the way we exercise and do business in this industry but most importantly it is changing our mindset. As a business owner, I’ve realised is time to let go of any attachment I had to a business plan and step up my game. Agility is key. You have to understand that COVID-19 won’t suddenly go away, it will stay with us for a while and this is a reality we have to embrace in order to survive as business owners.
What would be your pro tips to help us stay active while the gyms are close?
Move, move and move! Our bodies are designed to move. Once the endorphins kick in is the greatest feeling in the day and your mind opens up and gets creative. Having no equipment is not an excuse, you can use towels as sliders, fill bottles with sand or rice for weights, use a chair and play some great music and move around your house.
It’s also a great time to try something new, in the comfort of your home.
The fitness industry is an ever evolving one with new disciplines coming up all the time. Any trend/new discipline you’ve tried lately and see as something that would last?
I discovered soul body fitness, a combination of barre, pilates and fitness, last year and loved it so much that I did a training in Shanghai to become a certified body fitness coach. I love how fun this discipline is and the way it tones my body is just amazing.
Your fav places in Hong Kong for:
A good sweat (when not at AndFit): Tamar Park, Peng Chau – the island where I live – for a hike and Sai Kung, especially snake bay, for a swim.
Stocking up on nice workout gears: I love V Apparel (REDISCOVER OUR INTERVIEW OF VALENTINA, FOUNDER OF V APPAREL) which we sell at AndFit, Sweaty Betty for their cool designs and APL for sneakers
Refueling after a nice sweaty session: on most days I try to fast until between 12 and 1 pm and love to break the fast with a fulfilling salad. Fresca is my favourite salad bar.