If you’re tempted on getting a gym membership, here’s the number one mistake you can make.
You’re having a casual conversation with your co-workers or your friends. Suddenly, one of them says they have to go to the gym. Excitedly, you ask: “What gym are you enrolled at? Maybe I should give it a try.”
What usually happens in these cases is you pay the membership fee, go once or twice, then quit.
Why? Because you don’t choose a gym someone else likes. You choose the gym that fits your schedule and purpose. We’ll tell you all about that in the article below.
We’ll start with the benefits of a gym membership, follow with some of the best gyms in Singapore, and finish with the most important things to consider before choosing your gym.
Why not work out at home or in a park? Why is having a gym membership better? There are at least six reasons for that:
Making a gym membership – and actually honouring it – gives you access to a wide range of cardio and weight training. These exercises help you improve your body composition, lower your GI index, and increase your stamina and endurance. That way, you will have a healthier heart, stronger lungs, and a bigger muscle mass. All those things help you decrease the risk of cardiovascular, pulmonary and stress-related issues, along with decreasing your chances for obesity and diabetes.
Exercising at home without weights or good cardio equipment has its downsides. Running on the treadmill is easier on the joints than going for a jog in the park. Using a yoga mat is safer than doing those crunches on your carpet, and using professional weights is better than soup cans.
Besides, the professional gym equipment allows you to target your muscles comprehensively and in different ways, to make sure you’re getting an effective workout.
Gym memberships come with access to personal trainers. These people are experienced professionals in different areas of fitness, so they can help you try different workouts. From Yoga and Pilates to weightlifting and swimming, these PTs help you exercise safely, correctly and according to your fitness level.
It’s important to stay focused and motivated, and that’s what personal trainers do. Besides, they help you respect and push your limits at the same time, so you can listen to your body while achieving your fitness goals.
A gym membership offers additional motivation for people who tend to procrastinate or slack instead of exercising because:
Hitting those weights or a punching bag, running on a treadmill or joining a Yoga class are activities that reduce stress in different ways. If you’re like most Singaporeans, your hectic life leaves little room to unload your tension in a safe, non-aggressive way. Going to the gym allows you to relieve all that pent-up anger, frustration and sadness so that you can keep depression and anxiety at bay.
Gyms are packed with people who have the same goals as you. That’s why a gym membership helps you make friends who want to achieve the same health and fitness goals. Each person has a different story, some of which are incredible motivators. Besides, if you’re working out with your friends, it doesn’t feel like work anymore.
With that in mind, let’s see which some of the most popular gyms in Singapore are:
Price: $2.50 adults and $1.50 students & the elderly. $300 for the whole year
Number of locations: 19
Facilities: Weights, cardio machines, locker rooms, showers, family-oriented activities and equipment; extra events
Opening hours: Various schedules for each branch and depending on the day of the week. Opening time can vary between 7 to 8.30 am and closing time between 8 to 10 pm.
Price: New members pay $270 for eight lessons, twice per week for the first month. The unlimited membership is $250/ month starting on the second month.
Number of locations: 1
Facilities: Circuit, sprint track, running track, weights, medicine balls, stretch area, swim pool. Although it has plenty of cardio machines and weight lifting equipment, Actualize Crossfit emphasises specialised CrossFit training, starting with the beginner-month lessons.
Opening hours: 6:30 am – 10 pm (Mo-Fri); 9:30 am – 1:30 pm (Sat-Sun)
Price: $98/ month
Number of locations: 59
Facilities: Circuit, elliptical machines, exercise cycles, free weights, plate-loaded machines, racks, strength training equipment, treadmills.
Opening hours: 24/7
Price: $175 (Lifestyle Platinum Passport for 18 months) – $245 month (Flexi Platinum Passport for one month)
Number of locations: 20
Facilities: Basic equipment, boxing ring, cardio theatre, lockers, sauna, strength equipment, swimming pool, showers, workout clothes.
Opening hours: 6 am – 10 pm (Mo-Fri); 6 am – 10:30 pm (Sat); 7:30 am – 10 pm (Su) for most location. It’s worth noting that the weekend hours vary depending on the outlet so that some branches might be closed Sundays.
Price: $8 per entry; $30 join fee to activate your membership; $65 (one year membership) – $85 (one month membership)/ month for adults; $50 (one year membership) – $70 (one month membership)/ month for students
Number of locations: 6
Facilities: Cardio equipment and machines, strength equipment, resistance training, lockers, and showers.
Opening hours: 24/7
Price: $150-200/ month
Number of locations: 3
Facilities: Sauna, circuit zone, indoor running track, sprint track, weights, stretch zone, swimming pool, juice bar, complimentary workout gear, towels.
Opening hours: 6 am-midnight (Mo-Sat); 8 am – 10 pm (Su and Public Holidays)
Price: $59 (7 days unlimited with 1-on-1 intro class and one 7-day suspension); $99 (14 days unlimited); $100 one session with a PT; $299 monthly unlimited subscription
Number of locations: 3
Facilities: Power racks, cardio equipment, stellar weight training equipment, free weights, showers, and lots of space for floor/ mobile activities.
Opening hours: 6:30 am – 9 pm (Mo-Fri); 9 am – 3 pm (Sat); closed on Sundays and public holidays
Price: You need a SAFRA membership before enrolling to this gym. The cost is $375 entry fee; $128/ quarter subsequently; various promotions.
Number of locations: 6
Facilities: Cardio machines, weight training equipment, resistance training, air weapon range, locker rooms, showers; various group classes (Karate, K-Kardio, Northern Shaolin, Pilates, Yoga, Zumba)
Opening hours: 6:30 am – 10:30 pm (Mo-Fri); 7 am – 8 pm (Sat); 9 am – 7 pm (Sun; public holidays)
Price: $40/ group session; $100/ PT session
Number of locations: 1
Facilities: Strength training equipment, resistance equipment, Thai pads, focus mitts, heavy bags; martial arts and METCON classes
Opening hours: 6:30 am – 10 pm; group classes are usually held in the mornings and the afternoons, so you should consult the schedule
Price: $43.50/ week (24-month plan); $51/ week (12-month plan); $67/ week (the flexible plan that starts with a month membership and rolls on for extra periods of two weeks until you want to stop; includes $99 activation fee)
Number of locations: 6
Facilities: Basic equipment, cardio, free weights, locker, showers; footpads, ice rooms, sleep pods, steam rooms.
Opening hours: 6:30 am – 10:30 pm (Mo-Fri), 8 am – 8 pm (Sat-Sun; PH)
Price: $89/ month (12-months membership); free trial available
Number of locations: 7
Facilities: State-of-the-art cardiovascular, free weights and resistance training equipment, functional training area, a stretch area equipped with Precor stretch trainers; aerobics studio, yoga studio, spinning studio; lockers; showers; steam rooms.
Opening hours: 6 am – 11 pm
Price: $78/ month (12-month membership plan); 6-month and 24-month plans available; discounts for students and senior citizens
Number of locations: 5
Facilities: Cardio and strength equipment, free weights, combat equipment; free consultation to establish fitness goals; various classes (Combat and Strength)
Opening hours: 7 am – 10 pm (Mo-Fri); 8 am – 8 pm (Sat-Sun); 24/ 7 (Tai Seng, Jurong and Farrer Park branches).
Price: Depends on the training program; 100% money-back guarantee
Number of locations: 11
Facilities: Mats, free weights, kettlebells, sandbags, strength machines, gloves, exercise balls; personalised one on one training for fat loss, prenatal, strength training, rehabilitation, bulk up, postnatal
Opening hours: By appointment because your workout will be personalised according to your needs and goals and because all sessions are with a personal trainer.
Price: $2.50 (off-peak) – $3.50 (peak) / 30-minute session; $99.00/ 35 sessions (valid for three months)
Number of locations: 4
Facilities: The Gym Pods are repurposed shipping containers placed in different locations in Singapore. They boast free weights, squat rack, treadmill, glass windows, doors, air conditioning and lights; share with one or two other people.
Opening hours: 24/7
Did you know that most people who get a gym membership don’t follow through? That’s not just because workouts are hard, though they can be. It’s because people chose the gym wrong. To avoid wasting your money, here’s what you need to consider:
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