STREET workouts are a popular trend in Europe and the United States. The best thing is that this form of workout requires no gym equipment, and you do not have to fork out expensive gym fees. You can carry out your physical activities in outdoor parks, completely free.
Fitness enthusiast and social media influencer Mohd Afiq Mohd Azman, better known as Captain Joe, wants to make street workouts a popular trend in Malaysia. The 27-year-old has been conducting street workout sessions almost every weekend since 2013.
“I do not charge any fees for my services,” says Captain Joe, who has been a fitness instructor for the last five years.
“I will post the event on my social media. I will let people know the place and time where my street workout will be held. I will teach them the basic steps.”
His aim is to encourage more Malaysians, especially the youths, to exercise.
“Most youths today are hooked onto their laptops and their handphones,” he says.
“They are too busy with computer games and social media.”
He finds that youths avoid exercise like a plague, and that is not a healthy sign.
“We have seen a rise in diabetic and heart attack cases among Malaysians,” he says.
“We love to eat, but we do not want to work out. I do not believe in strict diets. I believe life is supposed to be fun. You are supposed to eat everything under the sun.
“But you are also supposed to counter your extra calories with exercise.”
He feels there is a dire need to get Malaysian youths to spend time at the park, pumping their hearts out and toning up their muscles.
He really would love to see the government recognising and promoting street workouts to Malaysians aggressively.
“I would like to see more parks building certain basic facilities that will make street workouts easier,” he says.
“It will be great if I get a sponsor to help me in my cause to make street workouts popular among Malaysians. My ultimate dream is to see street workouts being famous not only in urban areas, but also in rural areas. I want to see street workouts reach the smallest village in our country.”
Going back to his early years, Captain Joe was active in almost every kind of sport. He even represented his school at the state level for football and badminton.
Later, he decided that fitness should become a huge part of his life. He began researching on how athletes build their bodies and their stamina.
“I would watch them on YouTube,” he says.
“I would follow their routines and their diet. You could say I am a self-taught fitness instructor.”
He founded his own fitness company called Barragazz, where he currently has at least ten instructors under him.
As a fitness instructor, he finds most people make the huge mistake of skipping their warm-up routines (usually involving light running and stretching) and dive straight into strenuous exercises to build their muscles. “That is not good for your body,” he says.
One of his career highlights was taking part in the World Street Workout Championship in Moscow, Russia in 2014, where participants from 65 other countries also competed.
“I will always cherish my experience in Russia,” he says.
“I got to meet some of my idols. I had been following them on their social media for years. They were my inspiration. We talked. We exchanged knowledge.”
Away from fitness, his main form of relaxation is to travel. To date, he has travelled to all the Asian countries.
“I love to socialise with different people when I visit their country,” he says. “I want to know their story and their culture.”
He also loves hiking, as it allows him to get close to nature.
“If you want a break from the hustle and bustle of the busy city, hiking is the best thing to do,” he says.
His friends have often described him as a leader, a person who loves to take charge.
“If my friends and I go for a vacation, I will be the one who plans all the activities,” he says.
“They trust my decision.”
Like any human being, he is far from perfect. His weakness is that he has trouble saying ‘no’ whenever his loved ones or his friends ask for a favour.
“Even if I am tired, I will try to fulfil their request,” he says.
“I do not like to disappoint anyone. I must learn to say ‘no’.”
