When most people think of water aerobics, what comes to their mind isn’t really appealing – in Europe, it’s mostly seen as an old people’s thing, and over here, it’s barely “a thing” at all. Well, it wasn’t a thing, but in 2012, Ripple Club (called Aquaspin) was born – and they intend to make aqua-biking cool again, one pool at the time.
Curious about water aerobics & aqua biking? Here is everything you need to know about The Ripple Club’s classes and some answers to the questions you might have in mind.

First, what is The Ripple Club’s concept?

The Ripple Club is all about low-impact, quality fitness training – always in a pool and with a bike. The idea is quite simple: using the resistance brought by the water to get a good workout, with low impact on the joints.
They have created 4 different types of classes, to cater to every need.

• RIpple Signature: HIIT class, activating every muscle of your body – ideal for busy people looking for a complete workout
• Ripple Endure: focused on Endurance, Endure is mostly about cardio & leg endurance – you spin non stop for 40min, and work in alternating sprint & slower paces.
• Ripple Power: a circuit-style workout, during which you spend half of your time on the bike and the other half at different stations, using accessories and free weights (everything being waterproof, of course.)
• Ripple Balance: inspired by yoga, this is the most gentle class – expect stretches and breathing techniques, followed by core & balance work. All sessions end with a 5min guided meditation.

They now operate in 6 different locations in Singapore, in hotels & country clubs.
Note: they also have studios in Dubai, Australia & will open a new one in Kuala Lumpur in April.

Class review: Ripple Endure

For this review, I took part in an Ripple Endure class, led by Edwin, at Swissotel Merchant court.

What happens during an Ripple Endure session?

First, you need to set up your bike – the instructor helps first-timers find the right height and teach the basic moves before the class starts.
The first 5 minutes are dedicated to warming up with gentle moves and turning your focus to the class.
The following 30min is a continuous effort, with a 2min water break. Arms & shoulders get involved occasionally, but Endure is focusing on leg work and endurance. The instructor guides you through the session and details each movement, makes sure you follow the music rhythm and push yourself when you should.
The last 5 minutes are about cooling down & stretching a bit.

What did I think of it?

Overall, really enjoyed it – I was tired after a long day and the instructor managed to share some of his energy with the group, which was much appreciated.
It’s quite different from my usual training routine (mostly weights & calisthenics, with some long trail runs here and there) – and it was nice and weird to feel my quads burning because of the effort’s length. I injured one of my knees last year during a race, and I had to stick to indoor cycling for a while to ease the recovery process – I feel like aqua biking & especially this kind of session would have helped me a lot to maintain some muscle mass in my legs, as well as bringing something fresh & different to my program.
I’d like to try the other classes, and see if I can get maybe a bit more challenge.

Can anyone join an Ripple Club class? Who is it for?

Anyone can attend Ripple Club classes – you don’t need to be fit to get started. For now, most attendees are ladies, but some male triathletes start to get into it too.

You don’t need to know how to swim to take part in the classes – as they take place in the shallow areas of the pool. The coaching team is actually used to working with people suffering from aquaphobia on overcoming their fear. So even if water isn’t your thing for now, it might be a good occasion to give it a try.

Now, to answer the question “is it for me?” :

You’ll probably enjoy it a lot if:

• you are getting back to exercise after a break and are looking for something fun and new to try
• you want to train in a familial, welcoming environment, within a small group
• you want to get toned – the pressure applied by the water on your body has a “massage” effect and helps decrease the cellulitis effect & increase the blood flow
• You are recovering from an injury and need a low-impact activity that will still get your heart pumping
• you are expecting a baby or have just given birth and are looking for an adequate activity to stay fit

It might not be your thing if:

• You are looking for a really calm & relaxing activity (although Ripple Balance could be a good option for you)

*On aqua-biking & rehab:

As mentioned earlier, aqua-biking is a low-impact discipline, and it is a very nice way to get back to exercise after an injury. Alicia Antonuccio, one of the founders, holds also personal training sessions, where she helps individuals (often coming through a referral from their physio) get back on track.
Interestingly, she knows exactly what she is talking about: she was diagnosed with a patellofemoral syndrome in her late teenage years, which kept her away from sports for a while. She then discovered aqua-biking and fell in love with it, as it allowed her to get back to training. She’s now willing to expand her discipline, and is a wonderful personal trainer.

Curious?
Get more information, book discovery sessions & or take a look at schedule on their website: https://www.aquaspin.sg/

Does the word “Calisthenics” ring a bell? I wouldn’t be surprised if it did: this discipline is getting more and more popular, especially among gym addicts who are getting bored with weights. If you’re looking for a new sport to try, and some new skills to add to your repertoire – you should probably give calisthenics a try. Here are a few good reasons to register for a Cali class today!

Wait, what exactly is Calisthenics?

The definition is quite broad, but basically, Calisthenics is a discipline involving no or minimal equipment (usually rings or bars, no free weight or barbells) teaching athletes how to master their bodyweight.
If you can’t really imagine how it looks like, I’d recommend checking some youtube channels, like CalisthenicMovement & ThenX.

Here are 5 reasons why you should try Calisthenics

1. It’s a great opportunity to learn how your body works

You’ll gain in balance, strength and overall consciousness around your body – which comes handy in all other activities you might be into. You will also realise that you are stronger than you think, and maybe discover muscles that you had never felt working before.

2. It’s suitable for everyone – and there is a lot to learn

If it’s based on a limited set of movements (principally push-ups, pull-ups, dips), calisthenics offer tons of variations and progression opportunities, making it both accessible from beginners & still challenging for advanced athletes.
Men & women are equally welcome too, and your body type doesn’t matter!

3. It’s an incredibly complete workout

If you’re a regular gym-goer, you could think that working out without weights could potentially be “pointless”. Well, wait to try a Cali class first – because it requires the use of different muscle groups, as well as a lot of the core muscles you might not use on a daily basis if you only work out with guided machines.
It might not be as “cardio” as a HIIT class, but you should still expect some sweat. If you give your 100%, you’ll get out of the studio exhausted and shaky (But beginners can also take it easy!)

4. It’s a good occasion to meet like-minded people

Calisthenics classes are usually held in small groups (just imagine the exact opposite of a crowded body combat class, if you’ve been to one of these) – you can have a chat (and most likely a laugh) with the people around, and good pieces of advice too for people who’ve been training for a while.
As everyone is learning (it would take years to reach the stage where you can’t get better at it), it is pretty much a judgment-free zone.

5. It’s good fun!

Because you get to learn a lot of new techniques and experiment with your body, calisthenics is a really fun activity. It is challenging for sure, and some people might be quite intimidated during their first session. But the more you practice, the more used your body will be to the different exercises, and you’ll make amazing progress in no-time. Time flies during a Cali class, and you won’t even think of checking your phone!

And last, but not least: where to learn Calisthenics in Singapore?

There are a few studios offering Calisthenics classes in Singapore, including some in public parks – but if I had to pick one, I’d definitely choose The Faculty (of calisthenics & yoga) on North Bridge Road.

Why you should visit the Faculty?

• They offer several different calisthenics classes, focusing on specific skills (handstands, pull-ups, muscle-ups) or helping with general fitness (push-pull, strength), along with Yoga classes.
• The classes are beginner-friendly – except for a few advanced classes, that require an invitation, all sessions can be attended by newcomers who want to improve and are willing to sweat.
• The team is amazing – every trainer has their own speciality, but they are all dedicated to sharing their passion, making each session a great learning experience
• They have a 3session intro pass at S$50 – so you can get your own opinion!

The Faculty of Calisthenics and Yoga, North Bridge Rd, Singapore 198691