We’re about three weeks into 2019 – how are your resolutions sticking? Good intentions aside, sticking with a fitness goal can be simple: Find an exercise you enjoy and be consistent about it – a 20 minute walk done five times a week is 100 minutes more activity than you would otherwise do.
Make it social and fun, and if you can, commit to a progress goal by a specific time period. For instance, aim to do 100 squats daily by a certain month, sign up for a five-km run, or fit into a certain pair of jeans after 120 days.
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To give you some #fitspo inspiration, here are some new classes to consider signing up for:
Aside from their thigh burning barre classes, WeBarre organises workshops like Beginners Ballet. For newbies to ballet (and barre), the 75 minute class (held over four consecutive weeks) dispenses the fundamentals of both disciplines to get you familiarised with the plie, passe and releve, movements which you’ll do plenty of in any barre class.
For the purist, the session’s focus on refining postures, alignments and movements while challenging the core (read: You’ll feel that barre burn a lot) will elevate your existing barre skills. So what’s the difference to joining a weekly class? At the end of the four weeks, you’ll be part of a mini showcase featuring the choreographed moves learnt, performed to the soundtrack of The Nutcracker, no less. How’s that for motivation?
To check for upcoming dates, call the studios.
For the uninitiated, think of Ascend, the signature class at Ascend Yoga Therapy, as a “workout” for your mind, body and soul. It’s a two hour therapeutic practice of yin yoga, gong meditation (they’re currently the only place in Singapore to offer this) and chakra healing set to a live soundscape created by loops, crystal bowls, RAV vast, and the deep reverberations of the gong.
Working off the seven chakras, each one (from root to crown) is “opened” through various sequences: The opening of the hips and sacral chakra to help with the flow of emotions, core work to strengthen the solar plexus chakra and one’s determination, before ending in an extended savasana/meditation session to soak up the healing vibrations of the gong.
The Kardashians will have you believe their mama gifted their booty – but you know better, just look at Kris. Regardless, strong glutes and a muscular posterior chain (e.g. that all important lower body) is key to an overall strong physique and the best defence against crippling back pain.
Just give personal-training studio Level 30 minutes of your time (honestly you won’t be able to handle more) and they’ll put you through an intense class of specific exercises – think squats, deadlifts, hip thrusters, glute bridges – that’ll really work the gluteus maximus, otherwise known as the largest muscle of your body.
No one really loves doing cardio, they just love the result it promises. Regardless of your fitness resolutions, incorporating cardiovascular exercise is quite likely. For 2019, ditch the treadmill (your knees will thank you) and sign up for something more fun at Prestique.
Specialising in Jumping Fitness, the dynamic cardio session – think of this as a more active ‘dance’ class – uses trampolines and low impact rebounding exercises to work up a sweat – 10 minutes jumping is equivalent to 30 minutes of running – to build stamina, core strength and instigate your body to burn fat. Plus, the rush of endorphins comes as a bonus.
Find rebounding workouts scary? Why not spend a day at an actual trampoline park instead to burn calories while bonding with your loved ones at the same time? Just a few hours of bouncing and playing is all you need. Some of the best ones around the island are Bounce Inc, Zoom Park Asia and AMPED Trampoline Park.
There are tons of adrenaline-pumping activities that will thrill you while torching calories at the same time. Try the Treetop obstacle course at Bedok Reservoir’s Forest Adventure with varying difficulty levels, from giant ziplines to swings and more (subject to weather conditions, of course).
Or visit SuperPark Singapore at Suntec City, a two-level playground designed for both adults and kids that’s complete with rock climbing walls, a skatepark, various ball games and trampolines.
Watch our video above for a peek into what you can expect at SuperPark!
Bending forwards is the simplest of movements, but thanks to a sedentary lifestyle, tight hip flexors and hamstrings, they hamper this basic movement and make it impossible for many. This particular weekend workshop with master yoga teacher Ramanand Patel focuses on the intricacies of the forward bend by progressively paying attention to the backbend – or in Iyengar yoga terms ‘double action’ – creating length and space in the spine, while offering the opportunity for deep introspection. If you’ve always wanted to refine this soothing and calming posture, this is the workshop for you.
If there’s a universal fitness goal, it’s for a sculpted six pack. While abs are made in the kitchen as much as they are in the gym, choosing a targeted workout like Pure’s new Les Mills CXWORK class can make all the difference.
A tough but satisfying 30 minute workout, the session uses resistance tubes, weight plates, hovers and your own body weight to cycle through various functional movements (hip, butt, lower back) to strengthen and stabilize the lower body for stronger core conditioning. While it’s billed as more of a strength class, you can expect to burn up to 230 calories for each session, making it a nice add-on pre/post your own workout.
Offered at Pure Fitness Ocean Financial Centre.
Aerial fitness has the potential to increase muscle strength and tone your body, especially the core.
Try Aerial Fitness Studio, Singapore’s first aerial yoga studio, for some fun airtime. They have a whole range of classes and an eight-week course for beginners that will teach you how to use silks, hoops, and the static trapeze.
For something that’ll seriously spark your sensuality, consider aerial dance classes at Acro Polates.
Or opt for the beginner classes at Upside Motion, which uses silk hammocks to combine yoga, dance and aerial acrobatics.
No doubt, you’ve heard of this Latin music fuelled dance craze.
Try Zumba specialist Fiesta1; Rhythm in Me offers basic Zumba and STRONG by Zumba, which combines high intensity interval training and music.
Alternatively, try Tanglin Arts Studio, where you can enrol your child in a range of dance classes as you Zumba the afternoon away.
Stand-up paddle boarding (SUP) at East Coast Park is one of the best ways to enjoy the sun and surf while getting a solid workout.
Rachel Charis offers lessions from $70 for a group of three.
Alternatively, try the SUP beginners at Constant Wind for $33. Tip: Paddle boarding is also family-friendly, so feel free to rope in the kids.
Who says you need actual mountains or boulders to climb?
The fully air-conditioner Climb Central has auto belay lines and safety briefings for uncertified climbers, while Onsight Climbing has the biggest indoor space as well as 43 climbing lanes, morethan 100 routes and 15-metre speed climbing wall.
Not sure you’ll like it? Climb Asia has a 60-minute taster session.
Mastering martial arts takes years of dedicated practice and a high level fitness, and is not for the faint of heart. But it’s worth every drop of sweat!
FAMA provides classes such as BJJ, Muay Thai as well as a general fitness class.
Grit Gym takes a similar approach but is a no-frills option for people who want to train, without the option of a nice shower afterwards.
Say what you will about this, ahem, profession, pole dancing is an exciting way to get fit.
SLAP Dance Studio, The Brass Barre and Milan Pole offer pole dance classes and more.
Known for quickly toning, increasing flexibility and enhancing posture, Pilates is the ultimate exercise for shaping the body. Join them for a 45-minute trial Pilates Reformer class for only $25 and experience the benefits of Pilates today!
Find out more through their website.
This style of yoga uses specific kriyas (posture) to help you work on your breathing, meditations and mantras — to regain your powerful self — and doesn’t require a lot of flexibility.
Check out classes at One Heart or Adam Fazlur’s Wednesday night sessions at Art of Living.
HYPOXI isn’t your usual gym. Unlike most gyms that are equipped with plenty of machines that target different problem areas, HYPOXI focuses mainly on the lower half of your body, including your stomach, tights and hips.
The HYPOXI method in Singapore comprises of four individual devices — the Trainer S120, Trainer L250 and Vacunaut. There’s also the HXPOXI-Dermology. These devices use compression and vacuum therapy to help stimulate blood circulation that helps to accelerate the flow of fatty acids to the muscle where they’ll be burnt off during low-impact exercises.
Find out more about the HYPOXI method on their website here.
Perfect for yoga newbies or those at an intermediate level, the Stretch classes at Nithya Priyan School of Yoga are great for improving your posture in the most gentle way. Combining meditation, breathing work and myofascial release, the floor exercises help relieve tension in your body, and increase your range of motion. Holding each pose for a long time is also super therapeutic, helping your mind unwind so you can relax more and improve your sleep quality.
Find out about Stretch classes here.
Text: Atika Lim, Elizabeth Liew and Charlene Fang.
