The cousins feed off each other's work ethic inside the gym (Photo by RUDY LIWANAG)

MANILA, Philippines — The gym is a place that might mean different things for different people. For some it is a place of burden and sacrifice, while some consider it as a haven of sorts where they are free to sweat, improve and feel good about themselves. For celebrities Carlo Gonzales and Arthur Solinap, it’s a place where their bonds grow even stronger than their relations by birth.

Both being cousins of GMA star Dingdong Dantes, it was natural for both Arthur and Carlo to eventually step up to the limelight and try their luck in show business. While Arthur was already exposed to the industry through his stint as a member of the Abztract Dancers, his solo career as an actor kicked off in 2005 with a role in the fantasy television series “Encantadia”. Carlo, on the other hand, is relatively new to the business having just started working two years ago as part of the cast of the local adaptation of the Korean drama “Stairway to Heaven”.

But even before their showbiz careers began, both had a great relationship with one another because of the closeness they’ve developed through the years. “Yung family kasi namin malaki. So within the family kami talaga yung magka-barkada. We do everything together,” Carlo shared.

What these guys enjoy doing most of all is playing hoops. “Teammates kami sa mga basketball summer leagues kapag sumasali kami noon,” Arthur recalled. Both of them also went on and had stints as members of the varsity team for their respective schools, Carlo for the Ateneo de Manila University and Arthur for San Beda College in Alabang.

Despite not going all the way with their careers, Carlo and Arthur still find time within their busy schedule to get together and play pick-up games together with their friends. “Ngayon kahit sobrang busy, naglalaro talaga kami kahit once a week lang. For exercise lang at sobrang hilig lang kasi talaga namin mag-basketball,” Arthur explained.

Aside from the motivation coming from these weekly basketball outings, both of them are inclined to keep themselves fit because of the nature of their chosen profession. “I think, regardless of gender, kailangan talaga fit kapag nasa industriya na ito. Kasi kasama yun sa itsura mo eh. Hindi lang dahil madaming maganda’t gwapo, kailangan talaga alagaan yung sarili para kaaya-aya palagi,” Carlo said.

Both guys regularly go to the gym, taking time off from their busy schedules to invest hours into improving their physique and wellbeing. Carlo’s current program involves a lot of weight lifting which he says is a must in order to reach his goal of bulking up. He pairs the heavy lifting with cardio exercises through boxing and Muay Thai training to keep him light on his feet.

Arthur, on the other hand, being already big and muscular, is focusing more on cardio workouts. Relying on developing his comfort with running, Arthur hopes to achieve a more athletic appearance rather than gaining mass. “I’m focused on losing weight talaga. Hindi ko kailangan magbuhat ng mabigat kasi yung bone structure ko malaki. So kahit payat na ako, malaki parin ako tignan,” Arthur shared.

Although both stars differ in what they are trying to achieve with their bodies, they still benefit from one another every time they work out together. “One thing I know, and I’m sure most would agree, kapag mag-isa ka mag-work out nakakatamad. Having a ‘gym buddy’ would give you that extra push. May kasama ka, may ka-kwentuhan ka and you won’t have to rush because of that. Kumbaga lumilipad yung oras kapag may kasama ka,” Carlo explained.

Being on the same plane of thought or at least being comfortable with a gym partner is also important. Apart from pushing each other to work hard, having good communication will ultimately result to efficient exercises and beneficial sessions. “Kapag hindi ako comfortable sa gym buddy ko, nakakahiya magsabi kapag may hindi ako gusto sa program. Kapag comfortable na kasi hindi ka na mahihiyang makipagtulungan sa mga gagawin ninyo,” Arthur shared.

There’s one thing that these celebrity cousins agree on when it comes to working out: discipline. Having discipline means having that balance between hard work and proper diet. “You don’t have to spend too much time in the gym or tumakbo ng mahaba. You just have to pace everything and pagtugma-tugmain lahat. Diet and workout go hand-in-hand,” Carlo enthused.

It’s rare to find someone who is equally motivated when it comes to being physically active and working out. These guys are lucky to have each other because they’ll surely keep pushing each other’s limits, both inside and outside the gym.