It’s 2021 and if you’re all about that #newyearnewme life, we’ve got you covered. Whether you’re a fitness newbie who’s unsure of just what kind of class to take or a seasoned gym goer who wants to try something new, this article is for you. In a bid to find the best fitness classes in Singapore, I tried 7 different types of workouts each day of the week to find the best one.
Day One: Boxing
I was intrigued the first time someone told me that “this isn’t the boxing you’re thinking of”. Instead, these boxing-inspired workouts incorporate water-filled bags, which are known to be much gentler on the knuckles. The workout may be a little confusing at first, but all that you need to know lies in jabs, crosses, hooks, and uppercuts. A flurry of combinations rolled off the instructor’s tongue, and I tried my best to maintain the boxing stance — left foot forward, right foot back — as I pummelled the bag.
If you struggle with coordination like me, the first few classes may be a bit hard to follow. However, don’t give up! The friendly instructors will walk around to make sure that whatever you’re doing, you’re doing with good form. There’s some smashing good tunes to go alongside it, what’s not to like? The rooms are dark, so don't be shy — no one will be able to see what you're up to! There's a few HIIT-based boxing studios in Singapore to try; STILL Boxing, boOm, and Box Office Fitness are all good choices.
Fun Factor: 9/10
Ache Assessment: 7/10
Day Two: Barre
Barre is derived from ballet, as well as elements of yoga and pilates. However, while the workout has its roots in ballet, you certainly don’t need to be any sort of dancer to come for a barre class. Don't worry, you won’t be doing any pirouettes! The class was broken up into different segments, with each focusing on a different part of your body. There were quite a few lunge-based and squat-based movements, so you'll definitely feel it in the lower body. However, while you are technically getting in a full body workout, the movements were noticeably tiny and very gradual.
So manageable. Or so I thought. The burn certainly didn’t feel that bad on the day itself, but from personal experience, my body was in mild agony the next day. I'm not the most delicate person, and I definitely cannot dance. However, for all that barre is, it was enjoyable, and if you’re looking for a high-intensity, low-impact full body workout, this is it. Important to note — you’ll need a pair of grippy socks to ensure you don’t slip and fall flat on the ground — now that wouldn’t be too good. Popular barre studios include Barre 2 Barre, Webarre, and Barre Lab.
Fun Factor: 7/10
Ache Assessment: 6/10
Day Three: Aqua Spinning
There’s spinning, and then there’s aqua spinning. It’s actually much simpler than it sounds — think along the lines of a bike in a pool. As someone who has loved swimming all her life, this sounded much more pleasant to me than spinning (which, to be clear, I absolutely detest). However, I was completely and utterly wrong. Considering that water is much more dense than air, the resistance makes the pedalling even more tiring. The music also seemed to be more of an accompaniment, rather than complimentary to the workout.
If you’ve tried spinning and love it, I can’t see any reason why you may not find this agreeable, too. Considering how it’s ridiculously hot and humid in Singapore, having a splash about the pool while getting your workout in sounds like a good idea. Plus, I hardly ached the next day — got to thank the water density for that! In terms of options, Aquaspin brought the fad to Singapore, however, they are on the pricier side. Don't fret though, your neighbourhood swimming complex may just offer aqua spinning classes at a fraction of the price. Water booties are recommended, and you can easily find them at Decathlon.
Fun Factor: 4/10
Ache Assessment: 3/10
Day Four: Yoga
Tired from the past 3 days of insane workouts, I was certainly not looking forward to another class. Luckily, scheduling yoga on the fourth day gave me a little respite. As someone who has only attended a yoga class or two at my local gym, I checked in for a basic yoga class to make sure I wouldn’t have to jump straight into Crow Pose right away (if you know, you know). Thankfully, the class was just the right intensity, cycling through a selection of easy to intermediate poses. I wasn’t out of breath or perspiring like a mad woman by the end of the session, but I definitely felt a slow, creeping burn in my legs.
The poses were reasonable, and even a first-timer would find themselves settled in rather fast. However, I must admit I’m not the most patient person, and struggled quite a bit on the meditation factor. Nonetheless, I can see why yoga is so popular amongst the masses — I felt rather refreshed after my workout. I love how the natural light permeates the room at Jyan Yoga Studio, but Yoga+ and Yoga Movement have gorgeous spaces as well.
Fun Factor: 6/10
Ache Assessment: 1/10
Day Five: Rebounding
As a child, I’ve always been jealous of those American kids who had the luxury of space to own a trampoline in their backyards. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that trampoline fitness — as it is often called — is an actual thing here! The workout revolves around a few core moves (don’t worry, you’ll learn them in a jiffy!). With these, you’ll find yourself bouncing to the beat, and when I say beat, what I really mean is some high BPM music. When they shout rebound, you’d best find yourself jumping with all your might!
It took just one song for me to feel that burn, but at the same time, it was at the back of my head. All I cared about was keeping up with the instructors, who seemed to have just too much energy. I thought this was an excellent class for beginners, with a good mix of people from all walks of life — yes, even your chatty neighbourhood aunties! Add warm, welcoming instructors to the mix and this was a winner. Don’t just take my word for it. Even my companion, who abhors exercise, found this ridiculously fun. I went to Jumping Singapore, which has a range of outlets throughout the island!
Fun Factor: 8.5/10
Ache Assessment: 5/10
Day Six: Reformer Pilates
Conceived by German physical trainer Joseph Pilates, pilates is a low-impact exercise that is great for improving postural alignment and flexibility — something that is much needed for many of us after spending days hunched over our laptops. While it is commonly performed on mats, the use of the reformer machines takes the workout up a notch. The class was really small, so my friend and I received an undivided amount of attention from the instructor, which, depending on if you’re an introvert or an extrovert, could be a bad or good thing. The instructor eased us into the movements, cueing us in on breathing and positions. This made it extremely easy to follow along, even with no prior experience. Depending on your personal condition, resistance can be added to make it more challenging.
The session went by quickly as we ran through a variety of movements, and I found it rather therapeutic, just like yoga. While the reformer machine did make it harder to balance, it also was not in any way strenuous or perspiration-inducing. It’s so gentle that it’s even suitable for pregnant ladies and those with prior injuries! I can't say that my posture had improved tremendously by the end of the session, but for one, I did feel a lot less stiff. Remember to bring socks — those with a certain amount of grip work best. For a really focused class, I would recommend The Moving Body, a physiotherapy clinic which also doubles as a pilates studio. Some other common spots you can try are Absolute You and Core Collective.
Fun Factor: 6.5/10
Ache Assessment: 0/10
Day Seven: Circuit Training
To conclude the seven days of training, I went out with a bang with a circuit training class conducted at my gym. Unlike the other workouts, circuit training incorporates a number of different exercises, with aspects of cardiovascular, resistance, and weight training. Simply put, it means that you hit a number of different muscle groups and build on strength. These exercises are performed in circuits, which are then repeated a few times. For this class, it involved a lot of weights, which thankfully, I could choose based on my fitness level (not the best, I am currently working on it). Remember, the key is to pick something decently heavy, but you MUST maintain good form.
Between the dumbbell presses and the jump squats, I thought I could die, but hey, I made it out alive. Honestly, while I was starting to feel the effects of my exercise spree from the past days, I thoroughly enjoyed it. For one, I felt really strong at the end of my workout — who doesn’t love it when they feel like they're on top of the world? I also got to test out all sorts of gym equipment that I wouldn't normally touch such as battle ropes, sleds, and more, making it all the more exciting. This is definitely perfect for anyone who wants to start strength training, or wants to spice up their gym routine, but isn't sure how. While I attended a group class at my gym, THE GARAGE, Ritual, and GRITYARD are some of the more popular studios that offer circuit training classes. Don't say I didn't warn you, though — you will, 100%, feel it the next day.
Fun Factor: 8/10
Ache Assessment: 9/10
Conclusion
As someone who regularly exercises, this was a fun little challenge for me, but boy, was I sore. If you love good working out to some good music, you won't go wrong with boxing, aqua spinning, or rebounding. If you like lower-impact workouts, try barre, yoga, or reformer pilates. Want to build muscle and get stronger? A circuit training class (or multiple) is exactly what you need. If you're not decided on just what class to go for, why not try a few and see for yourself?
The opinions in this article are entirely my own — what works for me may not work for you. Helpful tip for you — using ClassPass helped save a ton of money because it was cheaper than drop-in rates. Also, always remember to give your body sufficient rest in between workouts — rest and recovery is just as important in the journey to a fitter you!
