Gyms, Fitness Centres and Therapeutic Gardens in the Parks and Beaches
Forget about expensive gyms with their hard selling tactics and a place you are unlikely to visit more than twice or perhaps thrice in a year. You can always go for their free trials and then disappear unless they can convince you and then they also disappear.
There are fitness centres or outdoor gyms in the parks and beaches across the island, and they are free. You can exercise and listen to the sound of nature at the same time or to the sound of kids playing if the fitness centre are next to a playground. You can find these exercise centres at MacRitchie Reservoir, at Punggol Waterway Park, at Pasir Ris Park, at Changi Beach and East Coast Park, and at practically in all housing estates. For many people the exercise corners are just a few steps away from their flats or apartments. No membership fee required.
Some of fitness centres equipment are meant for seniors which are great for the aging population here and we are already in the super-aged zone. There are instructions on how to use them. The only drawback being outdoors is that you will not find treadmills (but you can jog around the park) and if it rains the fitness equipment are not much use either.
Also, during thunderstorms, with the possibility of lightning strikes it is best not to be outdoors. Singapore has one of the highest lightning strikes in the world. And the best time to use this outdoor equipment is in the morning or late afternoon when it is not too sunny. Though the humidity may put people off regardless the time of the day.
The equipment may not match those in private gyms especially in the weights area, but then unless you are a body builder or planning to be one, you are unlikely to need more than three or four exercise machines. And many parks have proper running pavement built around it, so you can also also jog or do brisk walking.
Strangely many outdoor fitness centres are also located next to childrens' playgrounds. Maybe the authorities want to encourage the adults and seniors to exercise and at the same time letting the kids run around in the park, keeping an eye on the kids. Healthy activities and good for family bonding. Now you can also find exercise corners in public therapeutic gardens. The plants in therapeutic gardens have notes on them about their botanic and healing characteristics. Very educational. Exercise is good for the body and relaxing for mind.
Do you know that there are a total of 13 therapeutic gardens in Singapore? By 2030, it is expected that the island will have 30 of such gardens! Perhaps we can go the way of Japan where forest therapy and bathing is a popular activity to destress the mind and body, thus therapeutic gardens may have similar effect too. Therapeutic gardens are designed using evidence-based approach and research in environmental psychology by interacting with nature, visitors may be able to experience health benefits, which include increased concentration, reduced stress and mental fatigue and an improved overall emotional well-being.
Some therapeutic gardens even have outdoor obstacle course and bocci court as these gardens are meant to be all inclusive and meet diverse range of users. Unfortunately due to the heat and humidity, many people struggle to enjoy the garden to engage our senses to nature as they are all outdoors. If it rains you also cannot enjoy the garden due to lightning risk.
For those looking for a more professionally managed and better equipped gym in an air-conditioned environment, there is an alternative to open air fitness centres which would not cost an arm and leg. These air-conditioned indoor fitness clubs or gyms are located at community centres and charge per entry fee of between $1.50 to $2.50. The cheaper rate is for students and senior citizens.
However, to enjoy the facilities at a very minimal fee you have to be a member and the yearly membership fee is about $190 to $310 depending on your age. Off-peak membership cost much less but you can only use the gym during weekdays and daytime off peak hours. The memberships are worth it if you plan to work-out at least 10 times or more a month and the cost comes up to about $5 per visit, half that for students. Much less than a movie ticket and eating popcorns.
There are fitness centres or outdoor gyms in the parks and beaches across the island, and they are free. You can exercise and listen to the sound of nature at the same time or to the sound of kids playing if the fitness centre are next to a playground. You can find these exercise centres at MacRitchie Reservoir, at Punggol Waterway Park, at Pasir Ris Park, at Changi Beach and East Coast Park, and at practically in all housing estates. For many people the exercise corners are just a few steps away from their flats or apartments. No membership fee required.
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| Public gym in the park |
Also, during thunderstorms, with the possibility of lightning strikes it is best not to be outdoors. Singapore has one of the highest lightning strikes in the world. And the best time to use this outdoor equipment is in the morning or late afternoon when it is not too sunny. Though the humidity may put people off regardless the time of the day.
The equipment may not match those in private gyms especially in the weights area, but then unless you are a body builder or planning to be one, you are unlikely to need more than three or four exercise machines. And many parks have proper running pavement built around it, so you can also also jog or do brisk walking.
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| Exercise park with playground in the background |
Do you know that there are a total of 13 therapeutic gardens in Singapore? By 2030, it is expected that the island will have 30 of such gardens! Perhaps we can go the way of Japan where forest therapy and bathing is a popular activity to destress the mind and body, thus therapeutic gardens may have similar effect too. Therapeutic gardens are designed using evidence-based approach and research in environmental psychology by interacting with nature, visitors may be able to experience health benefits, which include increased concentration, reduced stress and mental fatigue and an improved overall emotional well-being.
Some therapeutic gardens even have outdoor obstacle course and bocci court as these gardens are meant to be all inclusive and meet diverse range of users. Unfortunately due to the heat and humidity, many people struggle to enjoy the garden to engage our senses to nature as they are all outdoors. If it rains you also cannot enjoy the garden due to lightning risk.
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| Therapeutic garden in Punggol with exercise machines |
However, to enjoy the facilities at a very minimal fee you have to be a member and the yearly membership fee is about $190 to $310 depending on your age. Off-peak membership cost much less but you can only use the gym during weekdays and daytime off peak hours. The memberships are worth it if you plan to work-out at least 10 times or more a month and the cost comes up to about $5 per visit, half that for students. Much less than a movie ticket and eating popcorns.
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