Good thing that our community consists of resourceful individuals. Responding to the setbacks, the members organised a working committee with one purpose: to sustain the community. As a fitness community, we agreed that we can only sustain the community by ensuring the continuation of our group training sessions. We named the project: Project MBC Perjuangan.[1]
We discussed about how. We talked about anarchism approach where members self-organise the training sessions and hire the trainer(s), no-frills gym concept with smart locks and self-service to minimise staffing and therefore costs, etc. Ideas were thrown, argued and debunked.
In the end, we realised the bottom line issue is simple: we needed to find a venue that is: (i) strategically located; (ii) has adequate facilities; and (iii) with affordable rent. Issue that is so obvious to identify yet difficult to solve. Any business is property business. The Kwitang gym failed mainly because it’s a bad property.
We surveyed many locations. Most are either too expensive, not easily accessible, no clean toilet and shower facilities. Until we stumbled upon Pati Unus Courtyard/Walking Drums complex. The complex is located in strategic location with clean toilet and shower as well as locker facilities since it is a sport complex for basketball and futsal.
It is expensive to rent the basketball or futsal court. However, we do not really need to train on any court. Any place with decent size and something to attach the suspension trainers would do. Therefore, we asked whether we can rent only a corner where they store futsal goal posts. The landlady is happy to monetize an otherwise non-productive space. Coincidentally, she is also a friend of one of our members. By the virtue of mutual interests and good relationship, we got a good deal on the price.
While the idea of anarchy training sessions are appealing, we decided that it is best that training sessions are administered by a professional. Therefore, we gave Coach Edi of Master Boot Camp the full control over the entire business. Each of our community members will then contribute in various ways. From managing the social media accounts, promoting the training sessions to new members, or simply by showing up and train.
On the first day of October 2018, MBC Community had their first training session at Pati Unus Courtyard/Walking Drums. I think it is admirable that we can found an ideal venue within less than a month. I believe this shows the strength of a wonderful community that shares resources for a common purpose: an inclusive, welcoming and educating fitness enterprise.
MBC Community have been instrumental in achieving my fitness independence as well as developing exercise habit. I hope more people can benefit from this community based fitness trainings. No gymtimidation in our sessions. The coaches and fellow participants are friendly and helpful. Whether you are new to fitness, recuperating from an injury, or a professional athlete, the coaches will ensure that the intensity of the training programme can be adjusted to fit your individual fitness level.
At the time of this writing, Master Boot Camp offers both monthly subscriptions and walk-ins to ensure that the business is sustainable but not incentivised by no-show community members (unlike chain gyms). I still found their offering is of high value to my fitness budget. The training sessions are scheduled pre and post office hours, between 0600-0900 and 1830-2030. The likeliest time you’d go to the gym.[2] Virtually, it’s like going to a gym and share the costs of hiring a personal trainer. Check the Instagram account and/or contact Coach Edi by phone/text message at +628128077278 for details.
If MBC Community has a gender, it is definitely female. Unintentionally, most of our members are women. And we are proud that they are of diverse backgrounds. We have a fresh graduate in their 20s to a mother/business owner in her 50s who can finish Spartan Races. Some find Jakarta’s weather too hot so they prefer to wear minimalist sportswear during training. Some prefer to cover up for religious or personal style reasons.
Of course, men are welcomed. We do not have any gender (or any other) preference for our community membership.[3] Nevertheless, for reasons unknown, the acquisition and retention rate of our male members have never been as impressive as our female members. I have always been a minority by gender.
MBC Community is also LGBT friendly. We have members who are openly lesbian, gay and (possibly) bisexual. Although we have not yet have the privilege of having any transgender member.
On Saturday, 6 October 2018 at 0600, we held a special signature boot camp session. It has the regular sweat, swears, and banters. However, instead of having the session at the usual Kemenpora basketball court, we had it at the Pati Unus Courtyard/Walking Drums to introduce the new place to our new and old members who have not had the chance to train there.
It was a fine morning. I got the usual endorphin kick from that Saturday morning ritual I have been doing since 2011. I am glad that MBC Community has overcome another setback. I am optimistic that the MBC Community will be stronger in coming years to help more Jakartans to be fitter, and provide a healthy sense of belonging for its members. Pun intended.
Actual footage during training session.
[1] ‘Perjuangan’ is the Indonesian word for ‘struggle’. The name is a satire to one of the biggest political parties in Indonesia which split during the New Order Regime. For the record, our community is apolitical and our members have their own political preferences.
[2] Training sessions during office hour can be scheduled upon request.
[3] Actually, we prefer nice people.