Topical
I caught up with the awesome Costas Elia, aka Kotcho, with a reputation second to none in the fitness world, recently moving, into his new gym, where the ambiance is out of this world! I asked him how it all started; Costas told me “Originally I started playing soccer at the age of 10 for Pezoporikos who eventually amalgamated with EPA to become AEK, but I only started bodybuilding about 15 years ago” …
Fell in Love
My football coach persuaded me to try ‘Field & Track’ and to increase my body strength I added a little weightlifting to my training program, and from the first time I tried it I just fell in love with it and since then I’ve never missed a day and I very quickly noticed my body changing”. “Eventually my coach told me I was a talent, but I initially didn’t compete for titles, and just when I started looking at competing, I had to do my National Service in the army, but once I got out I got straight back into weightlifting again”.
Qualified
After the army, Costas decided to get qualified, taking his studies to the Aristodeliou University of Thessaloniki which took him 4 years to attain his degree in Physical Education, his speciality surprisingly was swimming and last year he became a qualified classic swimming teacher. Costas said; “I took a job working as a coach with children aged from 4 up to 10-12 years old” … of course, in Cyprus it’s imperative to learn to swim!
Mr. Cyprus
Costas continued; “Whilst studying, I started my preparation and training for my first ‘Mr. Cyprus’ Competition, where I didn’t gain a place. After this, I trained emphatically, and I entered a competition in Corfu, again not getting a place, but that’s where I met World Champion Vassalos Yiannis’, from Greece, who became my trainer.
Never Give In
I asked Costa how that worked? Costa said; “I increased my training schedule, initially training online, and I go there, and he comes here, and as I never give in, I continued entering various competitions all over the world, including The Grand Prix Body Building Competition in Cyprus until eventually, I won the Masters Category for the over 40’s in 2017 and I’m currently training for next year’s World Championships for the over 50’s category”.
1 to 1 Attention
In 1995, Costas opened his first gym, ‘Innomenon Efnon’, in a basement, on the road to Limassol, almost 30 years later, 51 year old Costa has just moved from his old gym 100 metres, away into his 4th and newest gym in Larnaca and Diaplasis Sport & Wellness was born! Costas is quite unique, being committed to helping all his members to achieve their goals, but he takes this to another level because here you’ll get regular one-to-one attention to make absolutely sure you get there!
Qualified
Costas’ passion to be qualified led him to further his studies, and after he opened his first gym he studied for several years to gain his Les Mills Trainer qualification. He also holds a B.B & Fitness Coach with the I.F.B.B., The International Federation of Body Builders. Costas also boasts a qualification in Pilates Training and Thai Massage … Check out some of their Videos
Over 50 Machines
Costas kept adding fitness machines as he moved from one gym to another, at Diaplasis you’ll find his new gym on 3 floors with over 50 top-name fitness machines in professionally and strategically designed positions … Specialising in weights and cardio with a very wide variety of machines, mainly by Techno Gym and Life Fitness. With 8 Tread Mills, two of them by ‘Drax Fit’, especially for Athletes. Plus 8 Bicycles 2 by Pulses Fitness …
Group Fitness
You’ll also find regular Group Fitness Classes, including, Les Mills Body Pump and Body Combat, TRX, Yoga, Pilates, and Clinical Pilates, a form of physical exercise, to help you focus on posture, balance, core stability, control, flexibility, strength, and breathing. The Pilates Method was developed by Joseph Pilates in the early 20th century in Germany plus personal training. Costas explained; “In our Clinical Pilates classes, we can help people who have dysfunctions with their muscles, spine, and much more”!
Athletes
Costa also specialises in helping athletes achieve their goals whilst preparing for competition. One of his mottos is ‘never start something you can’t finish’ and he’ll make sure to help you push harder with equal passion.
Personal Training Package
Following fashion, Costas loves providing direction to Lifestyle People, designing fitness programs with a concentration on Body Building, Physique, and for the ladies in the Bikini Category … There are monthly and three monthly programs and the price depends on your requirements, getting discounts as you increase your commitment.
Membership
Costas is committed to getting you committed so you’ll find membership prices dropping as you add months, starting at only €50 pm, and to help you get committed, for 3 months it’s only €110, for 6 months it’s only €160 and for one year it is only €200 if you pay in advance, and if you’re a couple it’s only €150 each for the year … See their current weekly schedule here and for a quick walk around the Gym click here.
Special Offer
Costas has made What’s On’ readers a very special offer if you join now … for 9 months, it’s only €150, and your partner can join for only €75 for 9 months … not bad for personal 1-to-1 training! and if you tell Costas I sent you you’ll get an extra surprise!
In Style
Costas has recently formed an association with his favourite sportswear Under Armour, the leading U.S sportswear company, offering an introductory 30% Discount off your sports kit … Pop in to find out more …
Open all year
Daily: 6 am ’til 10 pm
Saturday: 8 am ’til 4 pm
Sunday: Closed
Directions
You’ll find Diaplasis Sport & Wellness at 86, Spyrou Kyprianou Avenue, Larnaca, it’s opposite Super Home Centre … See Google Map Icon below …
GPS: 34.930423, 33.622544
More …
Network Reference No: 8084
