W

orking up a sweat in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle and achieve that dream body can sometimes sound like an impossible goal for those living in the hectic capital city. However, a community of exercise enthusiasts offers a free alternative in the form of a Workout Embassy.

Founder Adhitya Lesmana went around a group of 10 people, formed in pairs, to observe their handstand practice in front of the German Embassy on Jl. MH Thamrin in Central Jakarta, occasionally pausing to tell them to stop arching their backs for fear of injury.

'€œThe Workout Embassy was formed in April after hearing a lot of complaints about how difficult and expensive it was to stay fit in Jakarta. We wanted to provide a solution for everyone,'€ he told The Jakarta Post last Sunday.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 3.2 million people die each year from health problems caused by physical inactivity, making it the fourth-leading risk factor after high blood pressure, tobacco use and diabetes.

Data from the 2013 Basic Health Research (Riskesdas) showed that 42 percent of the population over 10 years old, mostly living on Java, lead sedentary lives. Furthermore, 44 percent of Jakartans lead sedentary lives.

Adhitya, who works at a bank, said that the community was focused on teaching bodyweight training: strength training that uses the practitioner'€™s own weight to provide resistance without free weights.

'€œWe wanted to focus on street workouts because it shows that anyone can be fit no matter if you'€™re rich or poor. Anyone can join,'€ he said, adding that pull-up bars were the only equipment made available.

The members typically worked out during Car Free Day from 7 to 10 a.m. on Sundays.

However, they also provided female-only classes at the Gelora Bung Karno sports complex in Senayan, Central Jakarta starting at 7 p.m. on Mondays and general workout classes at the same time on Wednesdays.

The classes were taught by members who all had previous fitness training experience or certification, said Adhitya.

'€œTypically, around 10 to 15 people come per session, but sometimes we can get 50 participants,'€ he said.

Nineteen-year-old Merry Chenna was a little out of breath after the group completed 100 jumping lunges and grinned as she showed off her toned arms.

She told the Post that she joined because she could not stand working out alone at the gym.

'€œI joined half a year ago. I think it'€™s really great. I'€™ve lost weight and my body is shapelier now. Now a lot of my friends ask me about my fitness secret,'€ she said.

A crowd of curious onlookers started to gather as members of the community started to challenge each other to one-handed pushups and minute-long side planks. Most of the men had taken their shirts off because of the heat to reveal six-pack abs and bulging biceps.

The Workout Embassy was not just about working out, Adhitya said. After each workout session during Car Free Day, members of the community spent an hour picking up garbage left by visitors along Jl. MH Thamrin.

'€œWe want to be a part of the solution to Jakarta'€™s problems and cleanliness is one of them. This way we encourage our members and onlookers to maintain a clean lifestyle by picking up all the garbage left behind during Car Free Day,'€ he said.