Latte Built can get you to your fitness, health goals

The internet meme is on point and quite telling: “However rich you are, getting fit is not something that you can pay someone else to do for you.”

Derek Cutting, owner and founder of Latte Built on Saipan, said as much: Commitment and determination are the first steps toward healthy living. True.

Choosing a fitness regimen may seem an easy task, but finding one that works for you is more complex. Among the options available for those who want to maintain regular physical activity is to work out at home with help from fitness apps or personal exercise equipment. Or by following along to a YouTube video. Others prefer outdoor exercises such as walking, running, or cycling, among other pursuits. But there are those who find joining a fitness club or a gym more helpful. Regardless of how you want to get fit and live healthier, they key is consistency.

“Getting healthy, fit, and in shape will not come easy. Just commit. Health and fitness are a lifestyle so don’t let it get you down if you slip or make a mistake because no one is expected to change everything perfectly on day one,” said Cutting in his advice to those who want to begin a fitness regimen.

For those considering joining a gym this year, Latte Built may be the right fit for your needs as there is more to Latte Built than exercise.

Owned and operated by Cutting with his wife, Tania Chong Cutting, and Makai Cutting, Latte Built is Saipan’s first 24-hour gym. Founded in 2015 right after Typhoon Soudelor devastated Saipan, Latte Built started as a bootcamp in the park. Cutting says the original thought behind the gym’s business philosophy is to help the community discover the fun in fitness.

Cutting’s passion for health and fitness began at 22 when he decided to turn his life around after growing up being teased and bullied for being overweight. Bodybuilding became his passion.

“My fitness journey taught me how to take back my power and control my health. I began to finally feel what it was like to be confident in my own skin. Committing to healthy living has changed not just my body but every aspect of my life. It was also the moment I wanted to help others, because I knew how it feels to be down and out about yourself,” said Cutting.

Cutting said the aspect of turning his health and wellness journey into a business came later once he had set up a plan to get certified as a trainer and started to help others.

Latte Built stands on the philosophy of promoting health, fitness, and well-being. “We constantly reinvest as much as possible into the business. The bigger we grow, the more we can help more people.”

Latte Built is more than exercise. Offering programs and services suited for beginners and seasoned fitness enthusiasts alike, the gym exudes a familial and friendly vibe, with members supporting and encouraging each other to meet and succeed in their fitness and wellness goals.

First-time gym-goers may find the atmosphere a bit intimidating, with either the sight of a lot of fitness equipment constantly in use by members or fitness classes conducted by any of the gym’s instructors.

But behind the sound of moans, the yelling and the howls, Cutting describes Latte Built’s culture and vibe to be that of “a group of likeminded people who find nothing but praise, encouragement, and support from all the Latte Built familia. Members make friends quickly here with likeminded individuals.”

What makes Latte Built the ideal place for those who want to improve their fitness and wellness are the newest and most up-to-date fitness equipment one can find in the Marianas. By this standard alone, Latte Built’s patrons have given the gym the honor of being the “Best Fitness Facility” in the Marianas.

“We have virtually everything one could ask for—bodybuilding, Crossfit, Olympic, Power, yoga, Spin, cardio, functional, HIIT [High-Intensity Interval Training] and others. You could say we have it all, but you’ll have to experience these for yourself,” said Cutting.

One of the new services that Latte Built is proud to offer is the first of its kind on Saipan known as the “Recovery Spa,” which has a commercial infrared sauna and a commercial cold-plunge tub.

There is also a line of free fitness classes available to all gym members regardless of their tier membership, ranging from yoga, spin class, K1 Boxercize, Barbell (Crossfit), 5am HIIT, Intro to Strength, and Recovery Hour. Cutting says within the year, additional classes will soon be added to the gym’s offerings.

Latte Built is also known to be the only gym with a huge area of indoor padded custom functional turf, which are used for classes and by individual members.

In addition, the gym also allows “true” Olympic and power lifting, with several 2″ raised Olympic platforms, giving members the ability to drop the barbell after a lift.

Latte Built currently has 11 certified Personal Trainers who hold several certifications known as “Elite Fitness Trainer.” With years of professional experience under their belt, all the gym’s trainers are CPTs, with each trainer having a different expertise.

Their specializations range from weight loss, performance enhancement, USA weightlifting, and corrective exercise, to world obstacle racecourse. On top of these, several Latte Built trainers also pride themselves for their knowledge in Kinesiology rehabilitation sciences, NASM virtual coaching, nutrition, and sports coaching.

While each trainer brings their own unique training style and area of expertise, all of them are committed to ensuring safe and effective workouts.

For newcomers, signing up for a gym membership is the best way to start.

“Try out all the classes we offer at Latte Built, which are included free with membership. Pick the Top 2 classes you enjoyed, then commit yourself to making it on time each day and time those classes meet. Our instructors will do the rest, all you need to do is follow along,” Cutting said.

By taking the classes, one eventually learns how to use the equipment properly, giving students the confidence to go and create their own workout plan.

For those who prefer to work out on their own, Cutting recommends taking a “virtual coach” for every day they are at the gym. Simply scan the QR code on each machine.

“Each QR code is unique, which brings the student to the exact video on Latte Built’s YouTube channel explaining the proper way to use a machine. This method eventually gives the student the confidence to move from one machine to another since they know exactly how to set it up for themselves,” explained Cutting.

Motivation and self-discipline are key to those who want to either continue or kick-start their fitness program. Procrastination will always rear its ugly head and there is always a convenient excuse to skip exercise or the gym.

By joining the gym, “half of the battle has already been won. The other half of the battle is understanding that motivation does not last because it comes and goes. It’s during those days when you don’t feel like going that…when you need to rely on self-discipline and just go! Think of why you started, dig deep, and commit!” Cutting said.

For those who want to rev up what has become a monotonous and unexciting fitness regimen, Cutting says making a simple list of one’s strengths and weaknesses based on one’s original fitness goals may help restore interest in fitness.

“There is no single cookie cutter plan that fits everyone. Each person has their own unique interests, abilities, and goals. Reassess and consider the original intent of your fitness regimen, your achievements and what you still need to reach that goal,” reminds Cutting.

Overall, willpower and the commitment to continuously work toward one’s goals are what it takes to achieve fitness and wellness, he said. “After all, borrowing from coach Tony Robbins himself, ‘There is no such thing as failure, there are only results.’”

Cutting shares the following tips to achieving a new and healthy lifestyle:

• Make a promise that you will never go back and quit on yourself.

• Decide on what you want to make a change and why.

• Commit to creating one good habit each week. For example, drink five 5 glasses of water instead of just one; drink only two beers instead of a six-pack or go for a walk each day after work.

• Invest in yourself, educate yourself and, most importantly, understand that there needs to become the “new you”.

Latte Built is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week for all members. Staff hours are Monday to Friday, from 8am to 7pm and Saturdays from 8am to 2pm. More information about their services are available at lattebuilt.com or call (670) 235-2265. The gym is located directly across the Aquarius Hotel in Chalan Kanoa, Saipan.

Getting healthy, fit, and in shape will not come easy. Just commit. Health and fitness are a lifestyle so don’t let it get you down if you slip or make a mistake because no one is expected to change everything perfectly on day one.