Want to get fit and have fun? Give the treadmill a miss and do some of these outdoor activities in Singapore that’ll get the heart pumping. From HIT, cycling, tennis, swimming, bootcamps and other outdoor fitness classes in Singapore, here are some great ways to get fit outdoors.
#1 Outdoor fitness classes
Training in a group with like-minded people is great for motivation and can make exercising more fun. Happily, Singapore has group fitness options galore!
Ultimate Performance Singapore
Located in the CBD’s Manulife Tower, Ultimate Performance Singapore (U.P.) is a go-to for those who mean business when it comes to achieving hard-evidence results. In addition to intense weight-based workouts, it offers everything from guidance on diet and supplements to travel health, stress and sleep tips, making it possible for clients to transform every aspect of their lives, not just their bodies.
Many will be familiar with U.P. for the no-nonsense approach it takes to training in its 9,000-square-foot gym space, but did you know that the private training facility now offers outdoor group classes too?
Held under a sheltered gazebo, U.P.’s outdoor, strength-based workouts have participants burning fat and building muscle under the guidance of world-class training experts. Each class is capped at eight participants to ensure close attention is paid to everyone.
If you enjoy outdoor group classes, you might want to consider U.P.’s group training package, which includes all of the following:
- 45-minute semi-private group classes
- results-focused strength-training workouts
- a starter meal plan to support your transformation
- access to U.P.’s exclusive client app to track your diet and training progress
- a like-minded, supportive community that shares your goals
- access to 30-minute mobility classes, which focus on improving flexibility to enhance training performance
To book a complimentary outdoor group training session, email singapore@upfitness.com with the subject, “Expat Living GT.”
Ultimate Performance Singapore
#01-01 Manulife Tower, 8 Cross Street
6536 8649 | ultimateperformance.com
UFIT
As one of the largest fitness communities in Singapore for over a decade now, UFIT knows a thing or two about making open-air classes fun and effective. They’ve got tons of high-energy outdoor workouts to choose from across nine locations island-wide, including Fort Canning Park, the Botanic Gardens, East Coast Park, Sentosa Cove and Holland Village.
From fast-paced HIIT and cardio-focused Burn classes to strength-training Build classes and low-impact yoga workouts, there’s something to get everyone’s heart pumping.
Find out more about UFIT’s outdoor classes at ufit.com.sg/ outdoor-classes
#2 Tennis
With all of that running up and down the court and jumping to hit balls, tennis is an excellent total-body workout that’ll get your arms toned and your heart racing. Recent studies have even linked playing racquet sports regularly to lower risks of dying from heart attack and stroke.
In addition to strengthening your heart with aerobic activity, and improving your coordination and agility, tennis is a great way to get social while soaking up some vitamin D. It’s also an excellent stress buster, as the sport requires focus and strategy, taking your mind off of life and onto the court for some friendly competition.
There are loads of programmes and places to practice tennis here in Singapore, from condo courts and recreation centres to country clubs, schools and hotels. For example, UFIT’s Savitar Tennis Centre at Fairmont Hotel offers classes for adults and kids. They even offer a popular Tennis Burn class, which combines the skills and movements of tennis with elements of functional fitness to create an on-court conditioning sweat sesh.
Find out more at ufit.com.sg/tennis/adult-programs and ufit.com.sg/tennis/junior-programs.
#3 Running
A terrific way to torch calories, running is a full-body, endorphin-producing activity that can help smash stress and strengthen your joints. Whether it’s along the Singapore River, the Botanic Gardens, the Sentosa beaches or East Coast Park, there are plenty of places to power-walk, jog or full-on sprint.
If you’re looking to get fit with running but don’t know where to start, you may want to consider UFIT’s Run programme. Aimed at helping individuals ignite their passion for running in a fun and social setting, the programme takes regular runners from tracks to trails across the island, introducing intervals, Fartleks, stairs and hills, and combinations of each.
Find out more at ufit.com.sg/endurance.
#4 Swimming
Swimming is a great low-impact form of activity that works just about every part of your body from top to bottom – and keeps you cool. It’s a great alternative to land-based cardio – particularly for people whose joints can’t handle weight-bearing exercises.
As part of its Endurance programme, UFIT offers swim coaching sessions for swimmers of all levels, to build strength, endurance and confidence. This includes twice-weekly group pool sessions, monthly open water swimming on Sentosa, and one-on-one technique analysis with national-level coaches. You can join just for the swim sessions, or as part of the Triathlon Squad, which includes daily swim, bike and run sessions for complete triathlon training.
Find out more at ufit.com.sg/endurance.
#5 Cycling in Singapore
Another low-impact activity for all ages and fitness levels, cycling is great for burning fat and building muscle, thanks to the resistance involved. And, while you might think of it as a workout exclusively for your calves, quads and glutes, cycling is actually a full-body workout that forces you to use your core and back muscles to keep balanced, especially when biking outdoors.
Don’t know where to start? UFIT Ride can help you build endurance and strength on the bike, also as part of the Endurance programme. They’ve even got weekly Friday coffee rides!
Find out more at ufit.com.sg/endurance.
UFIT Health & Fitness ufit.com.sg
This article first appeared in the May 2022 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase the latest issue or subscribe, so you never miss a copy!
