10 alternative gyms in Singapore

Simply Yoga

Simply Yoga

Yet another new yoga studio in the East Coast area—though they stand out from the rest with some cool aerial arts courses, on top of regular yoga classes. The brightly-lit studio is cozy and compact, with a variety of circus arts equipment—think hoops, trapezes and swathes of colorful silks—taking center stage. Yoga purists can sign up for regular sessions like hatha, yin and flow. However, if you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, try your hand at the aerial arts classes, where you’ll learn how to perform acrobatic tricks a la Cirque Du Soleil.

Physical ABuse (credit Physical ABuse)

Physical ABuse

Rock out while working up a sweat at this state-of-the-art boutique gym, which is also the only place in town with a drums session. If that doesn’t burn enough calories for you, Physical ABuse offers vibration training in conjunction with resistance training to tone your muscles. It has a nice range of programs including kickboxing (you can even do it one on one) and even physiotherapy rehab training for those suffering from chronic sports injuries with their stable of certified personal trainers, wittily called ABusers.

7Cycle

7Cycle

You’ll be in for a heulluva ride at Singapore’s first independent and boutique indoor cycling gym. The 4,000 square feet facility is equipped with a 36-bike amphitheater-style studio, complete with a high-tech sound system and programmable LEDs. There’s also a 10-bike functional training facility. Classes are usually intense, 45-minute rhythm-based rides set to compelling soundtracks—the music’s so good that you’ll almost forget that you’re actually huffing and puffing away on a bike.

Surfset Singapore

Surfset Singapore

Singapore’s first surfset studio enables you to mimic a surf workout, without getting wet. The studio is compact with cool, surf-inspired wall motifs to help you find your element. Each 45-minute class is conducted on custom-made purposefully unstable surf boards, and combines elements of balance, aerobic exercise and core training. Try the beginner-level Balance class, or torch some calories at the Sweat class, which includes high-intensity intervals. Whatever you pick, you’re in for a total body toning workout.

R-evolution

R-evolution

Not only does this fitness center cover a wide range of workouts including Hot Yoga, Yoga Gold, Yoga Yin, athletic conditioning and ABT Slide. There is also an in-house spa that offers massages and an infrared therapeutic sauna that promises to burn 200-600 calories in a 30 minute session. Our favorite though is RIOT, a 45-minute regime that packs a series of cardio, calisthenics and weight-training exercises into a single session. It harnesses your own body weight, plus equipment such as kettle bells and TRX for a more structured workout.

, 10 alternative gyms in Singapore

Evolve MMA (credit Evolve MMA)

Evolve MMA

Evolve MMA hosts world-class instructors from all over the world who specialize in an impressive repertoire of martial arts courses. Here, you can pick up or condition your skills in Brazilian Jujitsu, Muay Thai, boxing, wrestling and grappling, or take up a course on the art of self defense. Professional fighter and current One Fighting Championship lightweight world champion Shinya Aoki and One Fighting Championship welterweight world champion Ben Askren are both currently based here.

Amped Trampoline Park

Jump your way to a skinnier you at Amped Trampoline Park. Said to be the first of its kind in Singapore, the indoor park features almost 50 trampolines lining the walls and floor. According to a 1980 NASA study, a 10 minute trampolining session equates to 30 minutes of cardio, and is more efficient and effective than running or swimming. What’s more, it supposedly increases bone density, preventing arthritis, and strengthening muscles you didn’t know you had.

SUP Yoga

SUP

The Stand Up Paddling (SUP) School at Tanjong Beach, Sentosa, takes it up a notch by offering SUP Yoga. Yes, that means paddling out to sea and performing basic yoga asanas (from sun salutations to back bridges) while balancing yourself on a 10-foot long board and trying not to fall off. This 60-minute session is more intensive than regular yoga as you’ll have to work your core harder to keep your balance. The good news is, even if you do end up capsizing the board, you end up falling into the water as opposed to hard ground. Think of it as a nice way to cool off.

Ritual

Ritual

The gym’s 30-minute-get-in-get-out concept is incredibly simple and allows no room for excuses. You won’t need shoes; attire and towels are provided. You take part in a high intensity interval training session which takes place every 20 minutes, from as early as 6:30am to as late as 9pm and you’ll get a full-body workout. Set up by celebrity powerhouse trio Brad Robinson, Ian Tan and Oli Pettigrew, this cool concept circuit gym feels like an underground fight club, except the only person you’ll be fighting is yourself.

BodyTec

Bodytec’s EMS Training (Electro Muscular Stimulation) sends electrical impulse currents via a strap-on suit, which activates muscle groups while exercising. The use of EMS is said to increase the possibility of targeting problem areas.