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From beginner friendly structure classes, to Calisthenics and hand balancing classes, weightlifting and spartan programmes, Level Singapore has you covered PHOTO: JUAN CHAN, LEVEL SINGAPORE Founded in 2014 as as a space for diverse yet like-minded fitness professionals to grow their craft and to create community, Level Singapore 's fitness community has grown significantly over the years and they today offer two gyms and studio spaces with contrasting ambiences, while still being anchored on the same philosophy. So what are the key offerings and features of Level Singapore that you need to know about? We ask national weightlifter John Cheah. Gyms and Studios Designed to be “the Ritz of Fitness” , Level Singapore's studio space at 137 Telok Ayer Street not only smells great, but its warm lighting and wooden flooring provides the perfect backdrop for stressed out professionals to relax and unwind away from a rough day at work. The studio at 14 Robinson Road on the other hand was envisioned to be a rough-and-tumble, no-nonsense lifting space - with its concrete flooring and shadowy high ceiling akin to a forge where champions are made. To put it simply the Telok Ayer studio is seen as the home to Level Singapore's Calisthenics and Hand Balancing classes, while the Robinson Road studio hosts its Weightlifting and Spartan programmes. PHOTO: JUAN CHAN, LEVEL SINGAPORE Classes and Programmes Level Singapore's Structure class is the most beginner-friendly class that is available. The basics of movement are taught here. Think push, pull, lunge, squat and hinge; and this class also gives less experienced individuals a sanctuary from the usual fast-paced, dazzling introductions found in other spaces to dial in on how they’re moving, and understand why they’re moving. The Sweat class is a High Intensity Interval session, and while it is technically also beginner friendly, Level Singapore's coaching staff have found that participants can get more out of their experience here if they’ve first attended the Structure classes. HIIT gets a reputation for being an all-or-nothing sweat fest, but Level Singapore prioritises making sure that people are moving correctly first, before playing around with intensity for the sake of the ‘gram. Skill classes marry the progressive overload aspects of Level Singapore's Structure classes with the pacy, heart-thumping experience of its Sweat classes to deliver a training session designed to push participants toward their goal. This could be anything - whether that’s a double bodyweight deadlift, a sub 1:30 500m row, or getting a pull up. The value of Skill is in its longitude, and Level Singapore has the track record to help its clients achieve their strength and conditioning goals through this particular class. PHOTO: JUAN CHAN, LEVEL SINGAPORE Outdoor Classes While many gyms and studios have pivoted to holding outdoor classes post Covid-19, this is an area which Level Singapore is no stranger to. During pre-Covid times, Level Singapore ran a popular Spartan Race program that took participants outdoors to practice conditioning in the tropical heat, and used methods to help them overcome race obstacles such as the Monkey Bars, and rope climbs indoors. This program has been put on hold for the time being due to current Safe Management Measures, but Level Singapore has the coaches who thrive on and who love coaching outdoors. PHOTO: JUAN CHAN, LEVEL SINGAPORE Learning Online While Level Singapore doesn't have a gym app or recorded classes, they have decided not to go down that route because they like the real life interactions with their participants, whether through correcting their form real-time in Structure or Skill classes, or gauging energy levels of Sweat classes. They did however hold online classes through the various Circuit Breaker and Heightened Alert periods in Singapore to continue to deliver experiences that are centred around the participant. PHOTO: JUAN CHAN, LEVEL SINGAPORE Coaching Staff For Level Singapore , its people are its best asset, which is what sets the studio apart from many others. While some gyms focused on a centralised pedagogy, Level Singapore focuses on the strengths of each of its coaches, leaving it to each of them to craft an experience that is engaging, unique and masterful. Level Singapore 's coaches come from various backgrounds, and they're each chosen by the gym for their attention to detail, technical excellence and ability to teach. What this means is you'll get Skill, Sweat and Structure classes that are different, but that could be refreshing if you are someone who prefers different approaches and trying new things. PHOTO: JUAN CHAN, LEVEL SINGAPORE Examples of Level Singapore's classes Sweat with George, who heads the Spartan program Sweat with Hannah, a former Adventure Leader at Outward Bound Singapore Skill with Erik, our national arm wrestler Skill with John, our record-breaking national weightlifter Rehabilitation Services Level Singapore also offers rehabilitation services - which include physiotherapy and osteopathy, having partnered with Edge Healthcare in 2017, and while this is a separate package for gym members, it creates a healthy ecosystem for its coaches to learn from and observe a different facet of how movement can be used to better lives. Pre and Post Natal Classes Level Singapore's pre and post natal certified coaches work with a diverse range of clients at different stages of their pregnancy. They are looking to work towards offering small group pre / post natal classes in the future and building a safe and welcoming community for mothers who still like keeping active. PHOTO: JUAN CHAN, LEVEL SINGAPORE Our Recommendation If you are a newbie looking to try out a class at Level Singapore, we recomend that you start off with its Structure Classes. Many are also happy to stay in the Structure classes because it’s a great space to focus on moving well with or without weight, while some will dare to venture to Skill classes or Calisthenic classes to learn new tricks, or perhaps the Spartan program if they wish to take on a Spartan race. Classes are appropriate for people of all ages, because Level Singapore's coaches try to personalise the experience to a degree. As Coach John Cheah himself put it: "Young and old is a state of mind, and we’re in the business of smashing through norms." Level Singapore Website https://level.com.sg/ Opening Hours Mondays: 7am – 8pm Tuesdays: 7am – 8pm Wednesdays: 7am – 8pm Thursdays: 7am – 8pm Fridays: 7am – 8pm Saturdays: 8am – 1pm Sundays: 8am – 1pm Contact Details +65 6222 4766 Level Singapore Telok Ayer Address: 137 Telok Ayer St, #01-03, Singapore 068602 Level Singapore Robinson Road Address: 14 Robinson Rd, #01-00, Singapore 048545 #SPORTPlusSG #Fitness #Gyms #LevelSingapore

A worldwide initiative unifying triathlon, cycling and running communities into one, Team PRPS is identified by its bold and daring design patterns PHOTO: PURPOSE 28 July 2021, SINGAPORE – Singapore-based sports brand PURPOSE today announced the release of its flagship Team PRPS range of products. Constructed with HYPERMESH™, a proprietary weave fabric construction by PURPOSE, the Team PRPS flagship range will be available for training and racing products in the sports of triathlon, cycling and running, and is designed especially for hot and humid conditions. PHOTO: PURPOSE PURPOSE's innovation in fabric performance technology has gained traction beyond Singapore and Southeast Asia, with recognition from global triathletes and runners who race in the heat of summer as well. Imprinted with a signature wave pattern that PURPOSE has built a reputation for, the new distinctive-looking kits will be PURPOSE's flagship line of products. PHOTO: PURPOSE The launch of the PURPOSE flagship range is a particularly significant achievement for the Singapore-based brand, given the numerous challenges that Covid-19 has brought on the industry. "I'm proud of this milestone," shared Noor Aziz, Founder and Lead Designer of PURPOSE. "Not just because in 4 years, our kits have performed at the top level of competition including several championship wins, and world records, but also that Team PRPS can now propel use forward even more in the global arena with its signature, distinctive look and style." PHOTO: PURPOSE He added: "Although our designs have always been distinctive, the flagship Team PRPS kits are designed to make a bolder statement and drive our brand philosophy forward." Touted as a merger between high-performance functionality and high-fashion, Team PRPS products have been designed to not only perform well in competition; but to also look great and iconic, with its distinctive black and white wave patterns marking an impressive line-up of high performance products. PHOTO: PURPOSE "Beyond high performance, the Team PRPS look also serves as a visual identity that unites every PURPOSE owner everywhere," Noor added. "There's a form of joy when we see someone, even strangers, together in the same space. The design celebrates the community." Team PRPS kits will launch via a crowdfunding campaign, making the kits an exclusive series for loyal PURPOSE fans. PHOTO: PURPOSE To find out more about PURPOSE and Team PRPS, you can visit the PURPOSE website, and stay up to date with PURPOSE MAGAZINE for more news. The Team PRPS crowdfunding page is accessible here. PHOTO: PURPOSE #SportPlusSG #ActiveWear #SportsWear #PURPOSE #TeamPRPS

Vibrant and colorful design of the CELEBRATION OF SPORT COLLECTION is inspired by sport’s ability to uplift the world PHOTO: ASICS SINGAPORE 15 July 2021 – SINGAPORE – ASICS is today launching its new CELEBRATION OF SPORT COLLECTION – a cross-category footwear and apparel collection that celebrates the power of sport to uplift the world. The CELEBRATION OF SPORT COLLECTION sees footwear across ASICS’ Performance Running, Core Performance Sport and Sport Style categories given a striking design revamp. PHOTO: ASICS SINGAPORE Each piece in the collection features bright, bold confetti-style detailing, taking visual cues from the sense of uplift and celebration that sport will inspire across the world in the summer of 2021. The 46-piece collection encompasses more than five different sports, celebrating the power of all sports to uplift the mind. PHOTO: ASICS SINGAPORE Runners will be among those invited to experience the uplift, with new iterations of the GEL-KAYANO™ 28, offering excellent stability and cushioning underfoot, and NOVABLAST™ 2, with its advanced energy return technology, among the performance running shoes to feature in the range. Tennis and volleyball players will also be able to raise their game and feel the uplift on court with new takes on the supportive, lightweight COURT SPEED™ FF and the responsive NETBURNER BALLISTIC™ FF 2. PHOTO: ASICS SINGAPORE Rounding off the collection meanwhile is an array of re-imagined Sport Style silhouettes, including the GEL-KAYANO™ 14, GEL QUANTUM 360™ 6 and GEL-QUANTUM 180™, that celebrate the uplifting power of expression. So no matter how athletes choose to move their mind, the CELEBRATION OF SPORT COLLECTION has the shoes to get everyone feeling the uplifting effect, all the while enhancing their level of performance so they can experience the positive benefits of uplift more often. PHOTO: ASICS SINGAPORE The launch of the CELEBRATION OF SPORT COLLECTION sees ASICS continue its mission to inspire as many as possible to move their mind to experience the uplifting power of sport in 2021. For the first time, ASICS is enabling people to see the uplift on their own mind with the new Mind Uplifter™. From 1 August, people will also be able to see how their individual results and different sports contribute to the World Uplift Map – providing a picture of how each individual Mind Uplift contributes to the collective mood of your city, nation and the world as a whole. PHOTO: ASICS SINGAPORE The CELEBRATION OF SPORT footwear is now available online and in selected stores. The full range of apparels will be available online and instore from August 2021. The GEL-KAYANO™ 28 is retailing at $259 and is available for purchase at ASICS Plaza Singapura, Suntec City, Vivo City, Nex, Westgate, Jewel, Takashimaya and asics.com. The NOVABLAST™ 2 is retailing at $199 and is available for purchase at ASICS Plaza Singapura, Suntec City, Vivo City, Nex, Westgate, Jewel and asics.com. The COURT SPEED™ FF is retailing at $159 and is available for purchase at ASICS Plaza Singapura, Suntec City, Vivo City and asics.com. The GEL-KAYANO™ 14 is retailing at $199 and is available for purchase at ASICS Plaza Singapura, Vivo City and asics.com. The GEL-QUANTUM 360™ 6 is retailing at $229 and is available for purchase at ASICS Plaza Singapura, Vivo City and asics.com. The GEL-QUANTUM 180™ is retailing at $259 and is available for purchase at ASICS Plaza Singapura, Vivo City and asics.com. #SportPlusSG #ActiveWear #ASICS #CelebrationOfSport

Doctor-Runner uncovers her hidden talent for running, and continues to draw strength from her patients PHOTO: EUGENE TAN She treats patients with Leukemia and Lymphoma. As a doctor specialising in Haematology-Oncology, Vanessa Chong's daily interactions with her patients serve as a constant reminder for her to count her blessings more often. Even though her initial training years were tough, she has come to fall in love with her job as she often finds herself drawing on the strength of her patients, to mirror the same kindness they exhibit even while battling cancer. So what was it that drew Chong into the sport of running, and why does she run so often? It turns out she stumbled upon it by accident, but has come to be pretty good at it! PHOTO: PICTUREART GALLERY Love of Sea and Sunsets She said: "I love the sea and sunsets. I was taking photos by the Punggol settlement one day when a group of runners zoomed past me." "I asked one of the runners if there was a race and he said they were SAFRA Running Club Punggol (SRCPG) runners, and asked me to join them," she recalls. "SRCPG gave me a running family. They embraced me with their warmth, taught me what watch to buy and even how to warm up." It has been three years since she started running, and barring the six months where she had to stop running from August 2019 to February 2020 due to an injury, she has been consistently hitting the roads ever since. PHOTO: BEN KOH Podium Finish Debut at SCSM 2018 Spurred on by the encouragement of fellow runners from her group runs, Chong found myself on the podium nine (9) times in her first year of running in 2018, including a third placed finish in her maiden Standard Chartered Singapore Half Marathon in 2018. She had never joined any running races prior to 2018 and was never a sports person in school, so it was a very exciting time for Chong and her family. Chong's parents have been a pillar of support for her in her new found hobby and love, and would never miss any one of her races, always heading down to support her at each event. PHOTO: VANESSA CHONG FACEBOOK Outside of running races, running has also been a time where Chong is able to shut her mind off from the daily noise. In fact, you'd probably catch the regular sight of this young woman with music in her ears, wind on her face, and her legs propelling her body forward, taking in the surrounding nature in all of its beauty if you stay in the northern region of Singapore. Running as Therapy Given the stressful nature of her work, Chong has come to appreciate the therapeutic effects that running brings. "It's a stress relief, an escape and at times a spiritual experience that draws me closer to God," she shares. "It is an immense blessing to be able to run and be free." PHOTO: KWEE SWAT OON She has been slowly building up the mileage again ever since her injury, increasing what was 10km - 20km per week at first to now running about 5-6 times a week, with one harder session and a weekend long run. Stories of runners coming back from injuries continue to motivate and inspire Chong on her own journey back towards full fitness. PHOTO: VANESSA CHONG FACEBOOK Solo Runs And while she enjoys the social nature of groups runs, she usually runs alone because she knocks off work pretty late. A self admitted sucker for pretty sunsets, Chong's favourite running route is Punggol. "I must say it’s pretty but not the prettiest. But it’s so familiar to me, it feels like home," she reasoned. PHOTO: VANESSA CHONG FACEBOOK "It’s also by the seaside with amazing sunsets which I love. I know every pot hole and slope or uneven grounds, where the water stops and even wild boars are." Chong hopes to run for as long as she can, and to remain healthy in order to keep doing what she loves, God willing. #SportPlusSG #Running #VanessaChong #SAFRAPunggolRunners

From Olympic-style lifting, to Animal Movement, and Athletic Agility PHOTO: GROUND ZERO SINGAPORE "This is where you find your beginning". Those are the words that local boutique gym Ground Zero live by, with each sweat session bringing you back to discovering yourself. Having been around for a few years, Ground Zero is far from being the newest boutique gym on the block, but their most enduring quality is the belief in what they do. Led by a team of 30 passionate instructors who absolutely love what they do, Ground Zero's workouts invite you to find that deeper relationship with yourself - a mind, body and soul connection. Through this, the GZ fam believes you will find that better version of yourself. PHOTO: GROUND ZERO SINGAPORE Grunge Aesthetics, Adrenaline Pumping Music With a space that is equipped with professional sound and lighting systems, Ground Zero's studio is designed to create the most captivating of experiences for its members - with music being a central part of every workout. "Music has always been the heart and soul of our classes. Our instructors bring their classes to life through their own choice of music which they specially curate and put together for the whole 45-55mins from intro all the way to cooldown," said Jeong Fok , co-founder of Ground Zero Singapore. "As for the dimly lit room, it helps create that safe space and a sense of escape from the real world for those 45 minutes. Also, my personal mantra is this: It counts the most when the lights are low and no one is watching you." PHOTO: GROUND ZERO SINGAPORE Full Body Workout Guaranteed While the gym offers different genres of workouts from HIIT classes to Indoor Cycling , it recently switched up its Resistance classes - featuring Resistance 2.0 that has four (4) different themes and concepts with very specific goals in mind. Impact : A mix of Olympic-style lifting, Animal Movement, and Athletic Agility Focus : Building strength with intention, with each pod targeting a specific muscle group in your body Rapid Fire : Designed specifically for the cardio junkies Blitz : Combining all three elements above Whether you are a gym buff looking to work on strength, a cardio lover just wanting to sweat it out, or a cross-training athlete, there is a workout for everyone to enjoy. Image credit: Ground Zero Singapore Ground Zero Indoor Cycling If you are a fan of spinning, then Ground Zero's signature Ride class is something you would not want to pass up on - with choreographed cycling routines and curated playlists that are unique to each individual instructor. If you are a more advanced rider, then the Ride or Die class will push you to your limit, with an extra 15 minutes to test your endurance levels for the hour-long experience that will take you to your higher standard. Image credit: Ground Zero Singapore Discovering yourself through goal driven workouts Ground Zero likens its community to a tribe connected by passion for fitness, with an emphasis on practice over perfection. This stems from a philosophy where everyone is different and special in their own way, and Ground Zero is here to help you find it. Whether you're doing your very first push-up or done a thousand classes, its workouts and concepts are for everybody, and their bubbly instructors will challenge you to step out of your comfort zone even while training safely and efficiently. Image credit: Ground Zero Singapore Freshen up before you head out Complete your Ground Zero experience by hitting the showers and freshening up after your workouts. GZ's locker rooms are stocked with Ashley & Co. hair and skincare products so that you can look your best before you step through the doors and head out for your next appointment. Ground Zero Class Packages First Timers (Trial - 2 classes) - $48.00 Resistance Series (1 month) - $250, U.P $300/month Resistance Series (3 months) - $200/month, U.P $250/month Standard Series (Single) - $45 Standard Series (5 classes) - $215 Standard Series (10 classes) - $410 Standard Series (20 classes) - $730 Standard Series (50 classes) - $1,650 Standard Series (100 classes) - $3,000 Off Peak Series (10 classes) - $250 Ride Virtual (Monthly Unlimited - $49 Image credit: Ground Zero Singapore Ground Zero website https://www.groundzero.sg/ Opening Hours Monday: 6am – 10pm Tuesday: 6am – 10pm Wednesday: 6am–10pm Thursday: 6am–10pm Friday: 6am–10pm Saturday: 7:30am–4:30pm Sunday: 7:30am–4:30pm Contact Details +65 6226 0083 Ground Zero address Level B1-120 Cross Street Exchange, Singapore 048423 #SPORTPlusSG #Fitness #Gyms #GroundZero #IndoorCycling

Being the most followed Singapore runner on TikTok isn't what makes this runner's story inspiring PHOTO: RUNNER KAO With over 120,000 followers on TikTok, he is the most followed Singapore runner on social media. Yet gaining a massive following was not on Kao Rong Sheng's mind at all when he first started on his running journey. What truly makes Kao's story so inspiring however, is not that he is so well followed on social media, but the simple fact his is a story that the vast majority can relate to. After all, most people aren't elite athletes or high performing fitness instructors. We struggle with poor daily choices and eating habits. But Kao's story shows that if we choose to take ownership of our life choices, we can chart a different path altogether. Known by most in the running community as "Runner Kao", many do not know this man's fame on TikTok only came after his YouTube videos, a platform where he regularly documents his running journey, as a means of adding value to the community by sharing useful insights on new routes and training alternatives with his followers and subscribers. Kao recalls: "I started sharing on social media about my running journey & changed my handle to Runner Kao mainly to remain accountable to myself as well as my online audience. Imagine if you call yourself 'Runner' and not run… how bad will it look?" "My main motivation to run is for my family, particularly my kids who can’t get enough of me chasing them in the playground." PHOTO: RUNNER KAO His talent for content creation was apparent, and his transition into the life of a running creator followed soon after. Known for his talking head commentary style on his runs, Kao's trusty GoPro has seen him through his running journey right from August 2019, when he first started uploading his videos onto YouTube. However, it was only a year later in July 2020 that Kao started to dabble with funny videos as part of his transition onto the TikTok platform. The videos were way better received than he expected, and within months he was receiving photo requests from random strangers on the streets of Orchard Road and in the parks, as well as having many school children flocking towards him wherever he went. To help him gain inspiration for his runs, he picked up a lot of running knowledge from Reddit Running forums, which he personally feels are way more insightful than the content he could find on Google. "I also followed overseas runners & YouTubers Ben Parkes and Kofuzi, folks who selflessly share their running knowledge and journey and they continue to inspire me till today." Kao added: "For local runners, my first running idol was Mok Ying Ren from way back. In recent years, I was so inspired by Serena Teoh and Jasmine Goh, whom I even managed to arrange an interview with on my YouTube channel." PHOTO: RUNNER KAO As he has rather sensitive feet, he prefers to run on the road than on trails. "I used to have serious plantar fasciitis that made me contemplate giving up running at one stage," Kao shared. "For this I have to credit the Reddit folks for giving me so much advice that helped me overcome it." "However, as my feet became stronger due to the routines I put myself through on a daily basis, I went back to the trails and started to enjoy them more and more, especially during the pandemic. For now, I will say I run 80% on roads and 20% trail." His favourite running memory was that of a half marathon race in Lake Garda of Italy, an event which saw several firsts for him. He recalls: "At the pre-run convention, I was served free cheese & ham for the first time. And I stayed in a hotel just beside the finish line for the first time." "It was also a first time I had a helicopter flying over me in a race, with the camera man panning his camera over us to get us pumped.. it was just like being in a movie. And I have not even mentioned running along the breathtaking views of the snow cap mountains in such awesome weather." While it will take some time before Kao can fulfill his dreams of running overseas again, in the meantime he is appreciative of the local running routes that Singapore has to offer. "It (my favourite route) has to be running from East Coast Park and the Marina Area. The sea and skyline views of these places are unbeatable," he said. "Moreover, I’m able to run a long distance without the need to stop at the traffic lights. Jurong Lake Gardens is really sentimental to me as I spent so much time training there." Kao also has some words of advice for social and leisure runners who feel disheartened in their running journey, just because they aren't as fast as some of the other runners in the community, reminding them to simply enjoy the journey. PHOTO: RUNNER KAO "A lot of them are afraid of calling themselves runners as they feel inferior when comparing themselves to the faster runners. In my opinion, as long as you run, you can call yourself a runner, and be proud of calling yourself that," he encouraged. His personal goals involve creating more relatable content to inspire the next generation to put on their running shoes more often and to start running from a young age. Declaring himself as an introvert, he prefers to do his sharings online than in person, as he can get really anxious when socialising in groups. "Be patient and start slow, that's how I started," Kao concluded. "Have a recovery routine and don't just run. Train your upper body strength and it is just as important to take the load off the legs and improve your running form. You can enjoy Runner Kao's videos on his YouTube Channel, TikTok Page, or follow his journey on Instagram. #SportPlusSG #Running #RunnerKao

Interactive Mirrors give users full access to virtual fitness content taught by instructors of The Gym Pod Academy PHOTO: THE GYM POD If you are a workout junkie who stays in sunny Singapore, you would probably have heard of The Gym Pod by now. The Gym Pod features a private and safe gym space that allows users to have 24/7 access, with CCTV monitoring in a completely unmanned gym. It also comes with a mobile app that is used for booking and accessing the pods. What you may not know, is that The Gym Pod has undergone immense transformation over the past 18 months, to move from what was originally repurposed shipping containers to pre-fab modular structures and indoor retail units, in order to create more space and reduce the hassle of the setting up of a pod. Peter Lam, Brand and Partnerships Director of The Gym Pod, shared: "Although we are called 'The Gym Pod' we are not limited to container structures at all. We have since started moving into indoor retail units as well." "You can find us in shophouses, retail units and shopping malls. If there is unutilised space, our automation technology can help transform and activate the space into a Gym Pod." PHOTO: THE GYM POD Access to Virtual Content Library via Interactive Mirrors The pods have also been recently upgraded to feature smart interactive mirrors or PTXs, granting pod goers access to a virtual content library from trainers of The Gym Pod Academy, which offers workouts and classes across a wide variety of workout categories. Beyond a completely personalized experience following the workouts virtually, users are also able to control the lights and colours to create their preferred atmosphere in the Pod in order to set their preferred mood. PHOTO: THE GYM POD Perfect for Gym Junkies who are not fans of Group Fitness As a private gym, The Gym Pod offers many perks for both beginners and fitness experts to enjoy alike. The obvious ones being that you get the convenience of having all the equipment to yourself, and there is no queuing for gym equipment or other distractions you get in a typical gym. This makes it a perfect choice for gym goers who are not fans of group fitness sessions or who don't like to socialise as much. Gym goers also need not worry about their baseline fitness levels, as The Gym Pod curates fitness content across a variety of levels from beginner to intermediate and advanced. PHOTO: THE GYM POD Apart from the interactive virtual mirrors (PTX), these content can also be accessed from the comfort of your home from your laptop, phone, or tablet. Lam stressed that although the PTX does provide a premium experience, The Gym Pod is focused on making the content as convenient and accessible as possible. "We aim to help people get better, healthier and happier - if they can’t make it down to a Pod, then it’s our job to find another way to deliver the content to them." PHOTO: THE GYM POD Lam added: "It’s also important to point out that getting a great workout in does not necessarily mean lifting the most weights or doing the craziest exercises. Our Pods offer the basic foundational equipment that allow anyone to stay fit." First starting out in June 2018, the fit-tech company has rapidly expanded to six pods by the start of 2020, 15 pods at the start of 2021, and currently have 35 pods, with twelve of them located inside the travel bubble facility at Connect@Changi, which is closed to public. You can find out more about The Gym Pod here, or download their app to book a session. The Gym Pod Website https://thegympod.com/ #SPORTPlusSG #Fitness #Gyms #TheGymPod

Physiotherapy student went from running to lose weight in school, to clocking her fastest 14KM timing in Sydney PHOTO: RUNNING DEPARTMENT She does not come from a family with a sporting background. Growing up she was constantly teased for her size, until she was pretty much done with being made fun of for being "big". And so began Sarah Tan's running journey at the age of fourteen. While she started running from her secondary two days, initially it was simply with the goal of losing the extra pounds. What she did not expect however, was that she would meet friends from the running community along the way who really enjoyed running, and this shifted her goals from weight loss to something greater. PHOTO: TAN POSYM These days she runs to catch the first and last lights of day, and also uses it as a means to catch up with friends in a healthy way - with an adrenaline rush and getting in some cardio at the same time. As a physiotherapy student, Tan clocks good running mileage on a given week with one track session (2 if training for an upcoming race), another one to two mid distance runs (5-8km) and one long run above 10KM. She finds company from her track sessions with Ghana Segaran and the Voltrunners, but also enjoys her own bit of "me" time whenever she heads out for some of her solo runs over the past 18 months since Covid-19 began. She shared: "I started off with solo runs, then transited to group runs with Voltrunners and Running Department (was training as a pacer)." "Running in a group made me uncomfortable with solo runs but since COVID started, I've gotten used to doing my solo runs because of the freedom that I get with routes and timings." PHOTO: CHERYL TAY When asked which runners inspire her, Tan picked out her favourite cyclists instead. "Strangely, I have more favourite cyclists than runners perhaps because of how they market themselves. My favourite female cyclist, Tiffany Cromwell, runs during her off-seasons and did what she termed as a very decent marathon timing of 3:21," she added. "Fast for a Singaporean runner, who says cyclists can't run!" PHOTO: SARAH TAN FACEBOOK A second person she draws inspiration from recently is sprinter Dafne Schippers. "She is pretty off-the-charts in terms of height and size of a runner/sprinter, and because she demonstrates great strength and power in spite of her height giving her a disadvantage during her starts," she opined. "We often see fast runners as compact and lean, which I am not (being 1.7m and 66kg), and having someone out of the norm is really inspirational for me." While she likes doing both short sprints on the track and longer scenic runs, her favourite route in Singapore is the Stadium - Gardens by the Bay - Marina Bay Sands - Fullerton and back to Stadium, a route she says she will never tire of. PHOTO: PAUL MARTIN Having not been able to travel for over a year now, it is small wonder that Tan misses her favourite running experience, the City2Surf runs in Sydney, which she has been to four times while she was still working in the aviation industry. "The whole experience is so much different, both in terms of weather and terrain, than Singapore. Imagine running with 80,000 people and the whole city comes to a standstill for this event," she remarked. It was also there that Tan did her fastest ever 14KM, and she looks forward to heading back to race with the same group she did in the past once the COVID situation stabilises. Her time away from running to focus on cycling saw her returning to a vibrant running community with a lot of female runners who clock impressive and very competitive timings, which she thinks is a good thing. PHOTO: SARAH TAN FACEBOOK Her running bucket list includes an overseas trail race and marathon, something she has never done before, and she also has some tips for beginners who are just starting on their running journey. "As a physio-in-training, I would say start gradual and don't ignore your niggles," she shared. "Back off a little (not stop entirely) to let your body get used to the training load before increasing your mileage or you can do some form of cross-training (swim/cycle/strength work) if you need your adrenaline-boost." "Remember that you want to keep running for a long time pain-free!" #SportPlusSG #Running #SarahTan #VoltRunners

Adaptable Yoga Instructor juggles her time between teaching yoga classes and her new role as a Product and Graphic Designer PHOTO: YOGA MOVEMENT Her journey to becoming a yoga instructor was delayed for three years owing to life-changing moments that saw the birth of her son, and a grueling period in which her husband battled with stage 3 nose cancer. That did not stop Angeline Chia, teaching at Yoga Movement since 2018, from embracing the yogi life and stepping through new doors that life has opened for her along the way. In spite of a tumultuous 18 months that saw a global pandemic wreak havoc and destroy local businesses in the fitness and yoga industry, the talented mother of one admits that her love for teaching yoga makes it quite impossible for her to give it up entirely. PHOTO: YOGA MOVEMENT Unlike many other practitioners however, Chia's first taste of yoga did not happen in a studio, but came from a rather unlikely source. "I first tried yoga in 2012 in my bedroom following YouTube videos. It was an attempt to create headspace when life was challenging and that body-breath connection was all it took to quieten the mind chatter," she said. And what of the challenges she faced on her path to becoming a yoga instructor? "Like many others who want to walk a different path, the obstacles were mainly self-created. We don't think we have what it takes, and the narration that there are too many unknown factors after spending many years in a stable office environment made me doubt my own ability to adapt to changes," she added. PHOTO: YOGA MOVEMENT Her ability to adapt was put to the test over the past year, yet it was from the unexpected source of her personal hobby that saw her discover a new lease of life. She made good use of her time during the 2020 Circuit Breaker to create art and got back in touch with her hobby of drawing. Little did she know that after two and a half years of being a full-time yoga instructor, an opportunity would present itself for her to become a Product and Graphic Designer, after her friend stumbled upon her art work. PHOTO: YOGA MOVEMENT "I used to draw leisurely when I was much younger but I did not have any formal education. I got myself an iPad and began to draw a lot more during the circuit breaker in 2020," she recalled. "Friends commissioned me to draw couple and family portraits and I enjoyed all the time I spent creating art. This led me to eventually give my art a brand @LilTeddyStudio, which is named after my son." Describing it as "crazy", Chia has learned to embrace the idea of a world where it is actually possible to not have a full-time job, and instead have multiple streams of income, doing what she loves. She trusts that the universe will provide and life will flow smoothly, if she aligns herself towards what feels right for her. PHOTO: YOGA MOVEMENT Apart from digital painting on her iPad, she also explored traditional mediums such as water colour, gouache, and colour pencils. While she doesn't draw as many portraits now, Chia likes to turn her focus more towards art that helps to express or invoke feelings of joy, lightness and serenity; very much like how she likes her yoga, but in visual form. As a mother of a young child, she is grateful that life has been kind to her, and she's thankful for the support her community has provided. She shared: "I personally feel that the management team at Yoga Movement (YM) has given us support to the best of their abilities. Is this the right time to mention that I am 100% a homebody?" PHOTO: YOGA MOVEMENT "Staying home is a walk in the park for me. But that is also because I have the privilege of having a comfortable shelter above my head. For that, I am so grateful." She continues to draw inspiration from anyone who is aware of their purpose, and who aligns their actions to their intentions, whether or not they practise yoga. It has given her the courage to walk her own path, and empowered her to know that all we have to do is to simply be ourselves. You can catch her classes at Yoga Movement, either online or in studio, or check out her beautiful artworks on @LilTeddyStudio. #SportPlusSG #Yoga #AngelineChia #YogaMovement

Former athletes turned content creators waste no time in turning to online platforms to galvanise the community PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG One might think there is little in common between a former footballer, a rugby athlete and a water polo athlete; but when it comes to Shasi Kumar, Sidney Kumar and Alex Loh, it is easy to draw similarities between them. All three are doting fathers and family men with a fierce passion for sport and education, and it doesn't just stop there. They each value self-improvement and life-long learning, and have stared long enough into the eyes of failure to know that greater lessons lie on the other side. An athlete's mindset some call it. What we probably didn't see coming was that all three would turn to podcasting over the 2020 Circuit Breaker period - using the online medium as a vehicle to motivate and encourage their respective communities, sharing valuable lessons to keep everyone going. Their time as athletes may have long been over, but at a time where the country needed citizen leaders, they made the choice to step forward. Hustle beats talent, when talent doesn't hustle Shasi Kumar, a former professional footballer who also once held the title of youngest local head coach in the S-League in 2010, found inspiration in starting his Silverfox Hustle Podcast last year over the Circuit Breaker period. Placing a huge emphasis on "hustlers", his interviews talk great work ethics regardless of an individual's choice of career path, and it's small wonder that his guests are all hustlers! PHOTO: SHASI KUMAR FACEBOOK The physical education lecturer and free lance football commentator's firm belief that hard work still beats talent when talent doesn't hustle stems from personal experience. "I draw on my personal beliefs of walking the talk, work ethics, positive attitude and the underdog spirit," he explained. "I wanted to inspire people through the podcast. My guests are the rock stars who have achieved success in their own right by demonstrating the same 'hustle' attitude in their lives." PHOTO: SHASI KUMAR FACEBOOK Educator, Self-Improver and Comedian For self-declared 35 year-old teenager and former Team Singapore rugby athlete Sidney Kumar, podcasting was a platform to kill off boredom when schools were closed, and it also turned out to be a useful skillset he picked up in order to stay relevant as a content creator. "I started the Create Don't Hate podcast for two reasons," shared the father of two. "To document sports stories and provide a legacy for the next generation of aspiring athletes." "Secondly, it is to provide continued exposure to the sports scene in Singapore." PHOTO: SIDNEY KUMAR FACEBOOK The St Andrew's Secondary School teacher is of the belief that while the mainstream media highlights gold medals and special stories, there is way more that the local sports scene provides than meets the eye, and every athlete has a story to tell. "The more we expose these stories, the more the next generation of youths will benefit," he added. To bring his project to fruition, Sidney did not have a fixed location for his podcast recording sessions. Instead he often books different studios out of his own pocket money in order to keep this passion going. PHOTO: SIDNEY KUMAR FACEBOOK What initially started out as just having fun went on to become a full blown idea of inspiring the wider sporting community through humour, entertainment, and whatever else "floats the audience's bloat". Redefining Gender Roles for Men in their 40s Solopreneur Alex Loh on the other hand, does not have just one podcast, but two as part of his outreach efforts. The former national water polo athlete who has scaled the heights of SEA Games glory back in 2001, now turns his focus towards connecting people and helping individuals uncover their life purpose. His first podcast, titled Lost At 40, targets men in their 40s who are breadwinners, and have a family to support with elders to care for. PHOTO: ALEX LOH LINKEDIN Discussions in the Lost at 40 podcast series aim to break away from the social norm of what society expects of men in their 40s, as part of his efforts to help men reconnect with themselves as unique individuals with a heart and a duty of care. Loh shared: "I felt I'm not the only one experiencing these challenges and there could be many other men (and fathers) who might benefit from my sharing of vulnerabilities and stories with guests." Athlete's Grit: From Sports to Life, on the other hand, is a podcast interview series featuring guests who are current and former high performance athletes. PHOTO: ALEX LOH FACEBOOK Conversations here are centered around how skills that are learnt and acquired from competitive sport could be translated into one's professional and personal life, with the hope of using true stories of grit-overcoming-adversity to inspire and motivate listeners. "For Athlete's Grit, I had the idea that if my story as a high performance athlete inspired some people, wouldn't all these other stories of high performance athletes inspire even more people," Loh added. "So I decided to start the interview series to share more stories of the athletes in my network." All three athletes' podcasts can now be played directly on SportPlus.sg's entertainment platform Studio Plus, and are also available individually on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Buzz Sprout. Stay tuned for SportPlus.SG's very own podcast coming soon in the not so distant future! We hope to leave you feeling inspired, and don't forget to share them with your friends and families too. #SportPlusSG #SportsPodcast #InspiringCommunities

Singapore's top seed male tennis athlete grateful for the opportunity to play against World Class opponents PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG 2020 was a rough year for Shaheed Alam in more ways than one. While the world grappled with a pandemic, he also dealt with the loss of his father, who played a major role in his life on his journey towards starting tennis - the sport he loves. So you can imagine how much it meant to him when he became one of the first two Singaporeans in history to play in the ATP 250 qualifiers thanks to Singapore Tennis Association and Sport Singapore. In an article which he wrote for Sport Singapore, Shaheed was effusive in his praise for the organisers of the Singapore Tennis Open event. He said: "No expense was spared on impeccable measures taken to ensure, that there weren't any compromises on the health and safety of players, officials and the community. For instance, all players, together with their entourage, had to fulfil a daily swab test." "Personally, I found it impressive that the gym was divided into individual gym-like pods for players to use, which was maintained by a high level of hygiene and sanitisation after each use. This minimised any contact with other players and their teams." With COVID-19, an integral fragment of such tournaments was missing – the human interaction. Shaheed added that he missed having the opportunity to interact with the players – an element that everyone took for granted before the Coronavirus pandemic. Players instead head to stand a metre apart and bump elbows behind masks. The other significant element that was missing was the crowd factor. Having competed at the 2019 Davis Cup in front of a partizan home crowd – this was noticeably missing from his tournament experience, and he hopes that sooner rather than later, fans would be allowed back to spectate sports events. Watch the full 8-minute interview with Shaheed here. Also available on 1 Play Sports' socials. #SportPlusSG #Tennis #TeamSingapore

With 200 Basketball Teams Expected Across Five Weeks, ActiveSG Cup is the Biggest Local Basketball Competition since the National Basketball League ended in August 2019 PHOTO: SPORT SINGAPORE Miss shooting hoops with friends? Basketball and team sport is finally back, and we can’t wait for it to begin! Sport Singapore announced last month that the ActiveSG Cup 2022 Basketball Competition will commence on 19 February next year, spanning five weeks with two hundred teams expected to compete in the biggest local basketball competition since August 2019. But just who exactly is this tournament for and what can we expect from the competition? Here are three important things you need to know about the inaugural ActiveSG Cup 2022 Basketball tournament. PHOTO: SPORT SINGAPORE 1. Basketball 3x3 Format While traditional basketball competitions are usually played with five players per team, 3x3 basketball is a popular variation of basketball played three-a-side that came in 2007 when FIBA decided it would experiment with an alternative form of the sport at the 2010 Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in Singapore. The ActiveSG Cup 2022 Basketball tournament is adopting this format, and will allow teams to have 3 players on the court and 2 substitutes, registering a total of up to 5 players. 2. Tournament for Youth Yes we know, it’s been a long time since you played in a basketball competition, but if you are over 20 you’ll have to wait just a little longer for organised basketball tournaments because the ActiveSG Cup 2022 basketball tournament is for the youth. Designed for players under 19 years of age, boys and girls who are 15 and above will be eligible to compete in both the boys and girls competitions respectively. PHOTO: SPORT SINGAPORE 3. Qualifiers are Across Five Zones Qualifiers for the ActiveSG Cup 2022 basketball tournament will be played across five zones – North, North East, Central, West and East from 19 February to 6 March, with the Zonal Finals taking place on 12 and 13 March. There will be a centralised venue playing host to the qualifiers in each zone, with ActiveSG Clementi Sport Centre hosting the Central Zone and ActiveSG Pasir Ris Sport Centre hosting the East Zone. The top two teams from each zone will qualify for the Super League, while the teams that rank third and fourth will qualify for the Prime League, with these taking place on 18 and 19 March, before a Grand Final to finish off the ActiveSG Cup action at Our Tampines Hub on 20 March. Registration for the tournament has already began, and you can register your teams here. Why Organise an ActiveSG Cup? As a means of bringing sport back safely to Singapore after a two-year hiatus from the global pandemic, the ActiveSG Cup is a fun and inclusive competition designed for everyone to have an opportunity to compete and bring back a vibrant competition scene across various sports in Singapore. Participants can expect more seasonal competitions and leagues in the near future that are accessible, affordable and inclusive. If you are a youth between the ages of 15-19 in 2022, you may register for the tournament here. Follow us on our Facebook Page for the latest updates! #SportPlusSG #ActiveSGCup #Basketball #SportsEvents