It can be difficult to maintain a disciplined fitness routine here in Singapore – which is why personal training often proves to be a great fitness solution for so many expats. Here, EL readers share their own experiences with some of the best personal trainers in Singapore.
Fitness Functions – Eline Zeggelink
As a professional integrative nutritional health coach, Dutch expat Eline knows just how essential a healthy lifestyle is to one’s mental and physical wellbeing. So, when she moved to Singapore just before the Circuit Breaker, she was eager to keep exercising, not just to get fit but to manage her stress as well. After a lot of research, she recruited the help of personal trainer Ivan from Fitness Functions, a fitness company that brings personal training to clients’ doorsteps. For more than a year now, Eline has been working with Ivan three times a week, mixing it up with compound exercises, progressive overload in strength training, boxing, circuit training and Tabata (a type of HIIT workout).
Why she thinks Fitness Functions is one of the best personal trainers in Singapore
“Ivan puts together the perfect routine every single time we work out, making sure every muscle group is addressed and my goals are being achieved. His anatomical knowledge is impressive too; with every exercise, he makes sure I know which muscle is working! I think that being educated while working out is key to maximising the effectiveness and helping reduce any risk of injury.
Ivan keeps me focused from start to finish, making me feel great and proud of myself after every workout we do. I am happy to have him by my side to encourage and support me, and keep me accountable. His enthusiasm for fitness is highly addictive and inspiring; Ivan helps to bring out the best of me, even on days when I don’t feel one hundred percent!”
Results
“Over the past year, I’ve gone through a major transformation, thanks to Ivan! I am definitely fitter, my body looks more defined and my muscles can be clearly seen. I’ve lost body fat and improved my overall cardiovascular health and strength. Friends and family have started asking about my exercise routine and giving compliments, which gives me that extra boost to keep going strong!”
Fitness Functions
9654 7064 | fitness-functions.com
Meta Performance – Tim Raes
With his busy role as managing director of Aussie Expat Home Loans, Tim realised he was focused on his health but quite time poor. In need of a personal trainer in Singapore who could keep him on track and help him efficiently achieve his fitness goals, he turned to Meta Performance, a boutique personal training gym that specialises in body and lifestyle transformations. There, he has trained with Seb three times a week and has never felt better.
Why he thinks Meta Performance is one of the best personal trainers in Singapore
“There are no ‘one size fits all’ workout plans. So, what I like with Meta Performance is that the plans and training address all areas revolving around my own life and my goals. Whether it be for fat loss or muscle building, Seb designs a plan that suits me. He and the other trainers really make an effort to understand what each client wants to achieve, and they tailor plans to those needs.
The workouts are intense yet fun, in the sense that they push me out of my comfort zone to be a better version of myself. I always feel a sense of accomplishment after every training session and feel recharged for the rest of my day! I look forward to our sessions each week, as they never feel like a chore.
Also, the fit-out of the gym space is easily the best in Singapore and, in general, it’s just a great place to be.”
Results
“I’m feeling better than ever! Under the guidance of Seb, I’ve been able to achieve a level of fitness that I once thought to be impossible while building my business and dealing with life’s stresses. Now, I have a new lifestyle. Not only am I physically in shape, but I feel amazing mentally as well. I’m also able to sustain this new physique of mine year-round while still being able to enjoy the foods and drinks that I love.”
Meta Performance
55 Market Street, #02-01
8218 8489 | metaperformance.sg
Ultimate Performance – Daniel Kleefuss
Wanting to drop his excess weight for good, German expat Daniel knew he needed professional fitness and nutrition guidance. So, he looked to Ultimate Performance Singapore (U.P.), which offers no-nonsense personal training for those who want to achieve serious, hard-evidence results. Since February 2020, he’s worked with trainer Lawrence three times a week, building muscle, creating a more athletic body shape and increasing his initially limited range of movement. Not only has he achieved a total body transformation (read on for his inspirational results!) but also a complete lifestyle overhaul.
Why he thinks U.P. is one of the best personal trainers in Singapore
“At U.P., I’ve experienced a lot of like-minded people and top-notch trainers with extraordinary athletic bodies themselves. That environment has been incredibly motivating. I enjoy challenging myself, pushing my boundaries and seeing the progress of getting stronger and losing weight from week to week. Feeling the new weights my personal trainer regularly added to the exercises was really satisfying.”
Results
“I have lost 53.3kg of body weight in 52 weeks. And I can now do 50 push-ups and 10 pull-ups in a row! My general ability to deliver in all kinds of situations – from family to work to sports – has increased significantly, and I’m much more active. In fact, realising the physical capacity of my body inspired me to set my next goal: training for the Ironman 70.3 event next year!
Additionally, I’ve learnt about nutrition, and what the right composition of my daily food intake should be. Now, my brain knows what to eat and what not to eat, and my cravings for ultra-processed food have disappeared.
I couldn’t have achieved my results without the guidance, support and regime of a personal trainer. U.P. delivered all of this on an extremely professional level, providing a clear plan and support with a deep understanding, while igniting the right level of motivation.”
Ultimate Performance Singapore
Ground Floor, Manulife Building, 8 Cross Street
6536 8649 | upfitness.com.sg
ATP Fitness – Benoit Colardelle
Determined to make some lifestyle changes and get lasting results, French expat Benoit turned to ATP Personal Training, a personal training gym that combines science, time-proven coaching strategies and accountability to create sustainable change. Two years later, the positive results are still showing in every aspect of his life – from a fit physique and weight loss to better eating habits, improved mood and increased energy levels. In fact, even during lockdown, Benoit’s consistent virtual training meant that he was able to maintain a routine and keep himself accountable. Currently, his twice-weekly training sessions with Iskandar are focused on shaping his upper body, staying toned and strengthening his lower body for running, while also supporting a recent foot injury.
Why he thinks ATP is one of the best personal trainers in Singapore
“I love ATP Personal Training’s holistic approach. They teach the purpose of each workout and make sure you’re doing everything right along the way, even beyond the training sessions themselves. ATP customises a programme to help you reach your own goals and make it sustainable in the long run. When I fractured my foot, Iskandar even redesigned my workout plan in a way that I could still progress and stay in shape without putting too much pressure on my foot. He also helped me implement the exercises recommended by my physio to strengthen my foot and regain mobility.
I love being taken care of at ATP. As a regional CFO, I spend my days deciding, driving and mentoring. But, during training, my coach is doing the job. I don’t have to think – I just follow and trust. After two years of “complicity”, Iskander knows when he can push me beyond my limits – limits that I would not even cross if I were by myself. Looking at the results, I truly believe that we did a great job!”
Results
“I can no longer imagine a day without physical activity. I usually train in the morning before work, and this helps me to channel my energy and perform better at work and in my life in general. I no longer have back pain, I always feel energised and I find that I can better control my temper. Additionally, building muscle has even helped improve my running performance.
I’ve been able to improve my daily routine without compromising my lifestyle too much. With my coach’s help, I have changed my food habits and can make healthier choices. I’ve learned to say no when there are extra calories, and I only drink occasionally and reasonably!”
ATP Fitness
#01-01 The Octagon, 105 Cecil Street
8189 1789 | atp.fitness
UFIT – Ilona-Jade Errington
Looking for “simplicity, expertise and accountability” in her fitness routine, British expat Ilona-Jade enlisted the expertise of UFIT – one of the largest health and fitness communities in Singapore for over a decade now. Since October 2020, Ilona-Jade has worked with her personal trainer Jayme once a week at UFIT’s Fairmont Hotel, Raffles City location, with the main goal of building strength for obstacle racing and running.
Why she thinks UFIT is one of the best personal trainers in Singapore
“Having a personal trainer helps keep me accountable, and focused on training with an effective structure and an eye on the bigger picture goals. It’s also great to have an expert that you can bounce ideas and tips off! UFIT has been great at pivoting throughout the pandemic to help keep people training. The gym at Fairmont has all the functional equipment you need, and the personal training-only format means you always have access to the right kit when you need it.
I love that Jayme believes I can, even on the days when I think I can’t! She measures my progress and progressions so that I barely notice the micro-loading week after week until, suddenly, I’ve set a new personal best!”
Results
“This year has provided ample opportunities to try new sports. In addition to running, I’ve started kayaking and wakeboarding more regularly on top of my usual gym routine. I’ve been really pleased with how resilient my body has been. The strength work has definitely paid dividends when it comes to keeping injury-free, allowing me to pursue all sorts of new activities and adventures.
Whether inside or outside, with weights or without, mask on or mask off, having a regular checkpoint to move – and move well – has been such an important aspect of both my physical and mental wellbeing this past year. Sitting at a desk all day, it’s easy to fall into stationary patterns, where your body seizes up and starts to feel stiff and lethargic. More than ever, personal training has reinforced how much I love to move, and how much better I feel when I do.”
UFIT
Club Street, One-North, Orchard and Fairmont Hotel, Raffles City
ufit.com.sg/ufit-personal-training
Unreal Personal Training – Tony Paul Ray
When British expat Tony tried a group fitness class at Unreal Personal Training, he realised the gym setting wasn’t as intimidating as he thought it would be. So, he started one-on-one training at Unreal, working with Gareth two to three times a week to get his body fat down and improve his metabolic age (how many calories your body burns at rest compared to other people your age).
Why he thinks Unreal Personal Training is one of the best personal trainers in Singapore
“I always thought that a weight training gym would either be very commercial, busy and not much fun, or very serious. But coming in to Unreal, I’ve realised that none of the normal gym stereotypes apply here; I’ve heard it can be quite intimidating at other gyms but not at Unreal. Everyone is so friendly and I love having an incentive to get out of the house to go exercise.
Training with Unreal made me understand that as you grow older, you have to put in the hard work to keep up a certain level of health and fitness. I really enjoy sport but find it difficult to train on my own. So, being able to work with a personal trainer for the last 12 months has kept me sane. During my workouts, I dread when Gareth tells me I need to do a finisher – but I always feel a lot more satisfaction when I finish it!”
Results
“My metabolic age has improved, dropping from over 50 to 30 in two months, and my body fat went down 10 percent during that time, too. Since training with Unreal I also haven’t needed to visit my chiropractor; my posture is better and I no longer have problems with my back. In fact, my chiropractor phoned me recently, saying I still had 20 sessions left that I never used!”
Unreal Personal Training
139 Cecil Street (levels 11 and 12)
9711 5905 | unrealpt.sg
FITLUC Gym – Vinnie Lauria
As a father of three and co-founder of Golden Gate Ventures, Vinnie didn’t have much time or motivation to train. With frequent overseas travel and middle-of-the-night work calls, Vinnie’s health was neglected and need of an overhaul. Determined to change his lifestyle for the better, he enlisted the help of celebrity trainer, Lucas Lim, who is also the founder of FITLUC Gym. His key goals were to build strength and lean out, and establish a good work-life balance.
Why he thinks FITLUC has the best personal trainers in Singapore
“Lucas has been a great trainer to me and my wife Kristine! He always keeps our fitness in check, and even checks in on my meals via WhatsApp. His constant motivation is the reason why I was able to keep pushing hard all these years. As I improve, his coaching and skillsets improves, too. He genuinely cares about every aspect of my life and always customises a programme to best suit my lifestyle.
In addition to having the usual personal training certifications, many of the FITLUC trainers have Sports Science degrees; so, you are definitely in good hands! The personal trainers are also well-recognised by many celebrity clients and media publications.
The training method at FITLUC is not intimidating at all, unlike many other places with the go-hard-or-go-home kind of regime. The trainers, staff and clients at FITLUC are all very friendly and approachable, and I have fostered strong friendships, not just with my trainer, but with other FITLUC clients as well.”
Results
“The past seven years have been an incredible ride. I feel stronger, heathier and in control of my body. I am glad to have taken that leap of faith with Lucas and FITLUC. We have walked through the highs and the lows, and have seen each other grow. Under his watchful guidance, I’m now able to hit big compound movements safely and comfortably. I am much more functional and active, and now have enough endurance to keep up with my three kids!
My relationship with Lucas is a special one. Thanks Lucas, for always pushing me to be my best!”
FITLUC Gym
21A Keong Saik Road, Level 2
fitluc.com
Like this? See our Health & Fitness section
This article first appeared in the September 2021 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase a copy or subscribe so you never miss an issue!
Amy Greenburg
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