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December 2022

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Singapore is an incredible place to live and visit for sports lovers. The city-state is home to hundreds of gyms and training facilities – from big box gyms to niche boutique studios – but it doesn’t stop there! One of the best things about Singapore is the unbelievable number of parks & green spaces, that welcome brisk walkers and athletes alike.  If you’re looking to add variety to your fitness routine, here are a few ways to make the most of Singapore’s parks and outdoor spaces.

Most of Singapore’s parks are easily accessible and open 24/7. Most parks have well-maintained paths and trails perfect for walking, jogging, or running. Many parks also have outdoor fitness equipment, such as stationary bikes, pull-up and dip bars, benches for abs exercises and monkey bars that you can use for free.
To make the most of these, make sure you go there with a training program, or join one of the bootcamps that regularly take place there. Other activities, like Zumba, Tai Chi or Yoga, are also available in various parks.
Some of the best training stations (also called fitness corners) are located in Fort Canning Park, along East Coast Park, and in Tiong Bahru Park. They can be hard to locate (and there is no exhaustive list of them as of now) – make sure you ask around if you find yourself in a new neighbourhood.

workout station at East Coast Park
One of the fitness corners in East Coast Park

Another great way to incorporate Singapore’s parks into your fitness routine is by trying out a new outdoor activity. Many parks have sports facilities, such as basketball courts, tennis courts, and soccer fields, that you can use for free or a small fee. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also rent a kayak at Stadium, or take a stand-up paddleboarding lesson at East Coast Park – plenty of outdoor activities await. 

Finally, don’t forget to take some time to enjoy the beauty of Singapore’s parks. It is easy, when you live somewhere, to forget to look up and admire the surroundings. Most parks have beautiful gardens and natural areas where you can relax, and even meditate.
Of course, you can also take a leisurely stroll along the park’s paths, go birdwatching, or have a picnic – not every day needs to be a gym day!

In conclusion, Singapore’s parks and outdoor spaces offer endless opportunities for incorporating fitness into your daily routine. Whether you’re looking for a challenging workout, a fun outdoor activity, or a peaceful place to relax and unwind, Singapore’s parks have something for everyone. Now you know what you should do next weekend!

It’s hard not to notice – in recent years, so-called smart sports watches have become an essential accessory for athletes of all levels. When I got my very first Fitbit, 7 years ago, trackers were still fairly rare – now they are on the wrists of most seasoned athletes, and they are gaining popularity among a much broader population. Smartwatches are becoming much more discreet and lighter, less cumbersome – which suits the female audience, and more generally, all those who want to wear their watch continuously, and not just during sports sessions.

As a result, you are probably wondering, if you haven’t done so already, if you should invest in a connected sports watch, and how it would change your daily life. Let’s look at some very good reasons to get started – and some downsides to keep in mind too.

What are the key features of a connected sports watch, and how are they meant to support a healthier lifestyle?

  • Daily step tracking – this feature allows the user to monitor their daily activity levels and encourage them to move more – essential for maintaining a healthy weight (or losing weight) and reducing the risk of chronic diseases.
  • GPS tracking – this feature allows users to track their outdoor workouts, such as running and hiking, and monitor their distance, pace, and route, which can help them increase their fitness level and endurance.
  • Calorie tracking – most watches offer a daily calorie count (based on the user’s body composition, physical activity, step count, and heart rate), which can be very useful if the user wants to control their weight, although the measurements can sometimes be wildly inaccurate. Keep in mind though that there is no tool allowing the general public to know precisely how many calories they burn daily available as of now – but one can always track their food intake thanks to apps like MyFitnessPal.
  • Heart rate monitoring – this feature allows the user to keep an eye on their heart rate during exercise – it measures the effort being put in and allows the user to monitor their training zones and make sure they are not pushing too hard (or not enough). The heart rate on smartwatches can sometimes be inaccurate, but it generally gives a good estimate. For a more accurate measurement, you can get a heart rate monitor belt that connects to your watch.
  • Sleep monitoring – this feature allows users to monitor the duration and quality of their daily sleep – often underrated but one of the key pillars of good health, good recovery and reduced risks of chronic diseases.
  • Sharing features – most watches send the daily information to an app (either the brand’s app, like Garmin or Polar, or third-party apps like Strava) – which allows the user to share their progress with their loved ones (or strangers!) – a bit of social pressure (in a good way) to stay on track.

smart watch fitness tracker healthy lifestyle

Should you get a connected sport watch? 

Yes, to keep an eye on your activity – calories, steps, physical activity. Whether you are a beginner or experienced, having the ability to quantify your effort is important to make your new habits long-lasting.

Yes, if you want to improve your performance – having access to data is the only way to monitor your progress tangibly.in addition to GPS, most watches offer “training” modes, which can motivate beginners and help seasoned athletes get the extra “push”.

Yes, if you are willing to spend a bit of money for it – if the cheapest smartwatches cost around SGD 150, you should expect to pay about SGD 400-500 for a good mid-range model – which can discourage some people. However, you should see it as a long-term investment – most watches last for several years and require little to no repair cost during their lifespan.

No, if you are just not interested in moving more. Owning a fitness tracker will only get you that far – you need the initial motivation and the will to improve to see the real benefits.

No, if too much data makes you anxious. Not everyone enjoys knowing exactly how many steps they take daily, and some users might feel unnecessarily pressured by it. If that sounds like you, you could perhaps borrow a friend’s tracker for a day and try it out first.

 

In conclusion – A fitness tracker is an excellent accessory and can help you adopt a more active and healthy lifestyle.  It is a fantastic addition to anyone’s fitness routine, provided that they use the data intelligently.
Finally, the latest models of fitness trackers are not only providing sport-related data, but also focusing on holistic wellness (sleep, recovery, meditation, breathing etc.). A bit of help to make better choices every day never hurts.