Do you ever feel as though there is a tug-of-war going on inside you when it comes to losing weight? Your weight fluctuates like a yo-yo as you fail with the latest dieting fad.
Fitness First Bahrain replaced that inner turmoil with the real thing to celebrate the brand’s fifth anniversary in the kingdom.
The three-day festivities featured a variety of group events including BODYPUMP, a Zumba demo and a 1.5km rowing championship. But what really had gym members buzzing was the ultimate tug-of-war team challenge in which 18 muscly men took sides and were literally shown the ropes.
Eduard Gelo, 43, a personal trainer from Manama, set up the activity. He said: “Tug-of-war is a team event. It can be played one on one or involve a number of people. It’s a display of strength and that is the main reason why we do it.
“It has been used as unconventional training for the military. For the most part it does require a lot of energy and if it is used as part of a routine workout three to four times a week it can be beneficial. Then again, with any activity, if done more than once, it can lead to results.
“The great thing about this sport is that it can be taken anywhere for example at a beach or in your backyard provided you have the room. This was a fun event and many of our members took part.”
Tug-of-war is a true non-contact competitive sport suitable for a wide range of abilities. It is fully inclusive and has been found especially suitable for individuals who would like to participate in a sport but lack the co-ordination or technical skills required in other athletics such as football.
In tug-of-war, every member of the team is equal. To succeed a team has to work together, encouraging true co-operation and team discipline. The sport was part of the Olympic Games from 1900 until 1920, but has not been included since.
The Tug-of-War International Federation organises world championships for national teams biannually, for both indoor and outdoor contests, and a similar competition for club teams. It’s also been played at many school sports days.
As for the origins of tug-of-war that is uncertain, but it is beyond dispute that this once royal sport was practiced in ancient Egypt and China, where it was held in legend that the sun and moon played tug-of-war over the light and darkness.
According to a Tang dynasty book, The Notes of Feng, tug-of-war, under the name ‘hook pulling’, was used by the military commander of the State of Chu during the spring and autumn period (8th Century BC to 5th Century BC) to train warriors.
During the Tang dynasty, Emperor Xuanzong of Tang promoted large-scale tug-of-war games, using ropes of up to 167 metres or (547.9 feet) with shorter ropes attached and more than 500 people on each end of the rope. Each side also had its own team of drummers to encourage the participants.
Russell Dean Wantenaar, 46, Fitness First regional manager for Qatar and Bahrain, and Lynne Klein, Fitness First’s World Trade Centre general manager, are both pleased with the outcome of the event as well as hitting the five-year mark.
Russell, said: “The sport was a good way of creating a great vibe in the club.
“We are proud of how far we have come and we are looking on expanding the brand in Bahrain. At the moment, we have a branch at the World Trade Centre and in Riffa.”
After melting away the pounds, gym-goers were treated to a cake-cutting ceremony to conclude the celebrations. Although, according to Lynne there is nothing to fear as Bahrain’s fitness levels are improving so it’s OK to have a nibble or two.
She added: “I think fitness in Bahrain is getting better. I have been here for a year now and I’ve noticed a lot of people are coming to the gym more regularly than before and have been eating more healthily as well.”
