How gyms and studios in Singapore have adapted during Phase 2

What started as a stopgap measure of offering digital classes during the stay-home period is now becoming a permanent fixture in most gyms’ short-term plans. 

Haus Athletics has recently released Haus Interactive, its on-demand virtual classes for a monthly fee, while boxing studio Boom Singapore has committed to continue its online sessions “at least till 31 July 2020”. 

According to Rey Bolivar, Chief Executive Officer of Anytime Fitness Asia, virtual workouts have been around for a long time, but the circuit breaker amplified its popularity. “In terms of gym trends, digital [workouts] will be here to stay,” he says. “Online content will become part of the gym experience.”

Which is why the 24-hour gym chain is working on expanding its online offerings even after reopening. He adds: “Our goal is to provide a seamless online-to-offline Anytime Fitness experience for all our members. [We want them to] feel welcomed to work out whether they are at our gym or in the comfort of home.” 

Similarly, Fitness First Singapore will continue to offer both virtual and physical classes. 

“We’re going to see an upward trend of people taking the option to work from home, and we’re going to see this reflected in the demand for more online content,” says country manager Anil Chugani. To that end, the brand will continue to ramp up its variety of online classes, and introduce social media challenges to encourage people to stay active in the confines of their home. 

“The future is about flexibility – giving people both the physical and digital option to continue their fitness regimes,” says Anil. 

Not all facilities are in a rush to reopen. One of them is Kulture Studios, a rebounding gym that has chosen, instead, to focus its attention on virtual classes during Phase 2. “We began digitising the classes since the start of circuit breaker because we expect social distancing to be around for a long time,” shares co-founder Mathilda Lau. “It’s a long-term plan for us given the severity of the pandemic.” 

Ensuring a safe environment for both its staff and members is a primary concern for Mathilda, who estimates that the studio will only reopen when “everyone is able to go mask-free”. In the meantime, the studio is working on improving its current experience, as well as stepping up its live stream competencies.  

“Many fitness operators will look forward to returning to the norm,” Mathilda says. “But I also believe that the situation has changed the way people perceive fitness and created new habits.” 

“As long as it remains an option, there will be people who prefer to continue working out from their homes.” 

- Anil Chugani, country manager of Fitness First Singapore 

With ever-increasing expenses and revenues being impacted by reduced class capacity, gym operators and owners need to do the math on how to keep the business afloat with safe-distancing regulations at play.

Over at newly opened Axiom, smaller classes are held, and at fewer intervals. The studio keeps to “a light schedule” in order to reduce human traffic, according to co-founder Chloe Ting. Gym-goers, however, stand to benefit from this arrangement. She shares: “If anything, a smaller group setting in both our indoor cycling and strength classes have enabled our trainers to better coach our clients on form and technique.” 

For many, physical workout sessions are more than just a sweat-inducing activity; they represent a community. Gyms and fitness studios offer a place for like-minded individuals to push themselves, and each other, to grow in skill and strength. Which is why many believe that real-life exercises will still have an appeal. 

“The virtual world will never be able to substitute the traditional group class, or gym experience, where the fitness community comes together … and bond over real human interactions,” says Anil from Fitness First Singapore. 

Particularly so for five-month-old Axiom, which conducts spin classes and strength training, the stay-home period made it difficult for the studio to “create a stable, thriving community” before being forced to close. “It’s the simple things that we really missed the most,” says Chloe. “The sweaty high-fives, the post-class adrenaline, the big smiles on our riders’ faces when they hear a song they love, the boomerangs and selfies taken by our clients.”

“Human interaction is something that cannot be replaced by online videos and Zoom calls. The vibe of working out and sweating it out as a group together is something that would be hard to replace as well,” she adds. “There is nothing like giving your all in that final sprint – hitting every beat for a choreographed combination, or that final set of deadlifts and squats alongside your friends at the same time in the same place.” 

“People are always stronger together, in more ways than one.”