Singapore Fitness Trends For 2012

Not too long ago, the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) came out with its annual report on the fitness trends that are expected to make headlines around the world in year 2012.

Much as we – at Singapore Fitness Professionals Network – agree to most of the information published in the report, we can’t help but feel that the report may not be doing justice to the actual trends that we – who are based here in Singapore – are witnessing and experiencing for ourselves in this part of the world.

As such, we decided to come up with our very own compilation of fitness trends that we feel are more realistic and have greater chances of happening in our local context here in Singapore.

Though nowhere as exhaustive or comprehensive compared to the original report from ACSM,  the following represents our gut feeling of what the Singapore Fitness Industry (SFI) would register in the coming year ahead.

Fitness enthusiasts who wish to know what’s in store for them in year 2012, and more importantly, Singapore Fitness Professionals - who wish to position themselves to profit from future predicted market movements - may do well to read the following report in detail:

2012 Fitness Trends For Singapore

1. Increase In Numbers Of Certified And Educated Fitness Professionals

Now, more than ever before, the fitness profession seems to have hit a new high in popularity in Singapore. More and more people have either joined the industry, or are seriously contemplating a fitness career in the near future - either as a personal trainer, a group exercise instructor, Yoga/Pilates teacher or any of the many fitness professions widely available here. Aided by strong market forces, a blooming fitness scene, and the availability of a wide array of fitness certifications, we expect to see a dramatic increase in the number of professional fitness trainers and coaches here in Singapore in the coming new year and beyond.

2. Increase In The Numbers Of Independent/Private Trainers And Specialty Boutique Gyms

As large, commercial “mega-gyms” gradually lose their appeal and attraction, we foresee an increase in the number of small-sized, highly specialized boutique gyms and private/independent trainers flourishing side-by-side. This trend perhaps best epitomizes what the Singapore Consumer wants nowadays - specialization, personalization, privacy and convenience - factors which are all so glaringly missing in the highly commercialized “one-size-fits-all” approach found in most fitness chains’ business models.

3. Rise In Demand For Non-Traditional Fitness Training Modes

Forget about machines, barbells and dumbbells – the savvy and educated fitness consumer in Singapore is now more daring than ever before, and more likely than ever before to experiment with non-traditional training approaches.  Think: kettlebells, sandbags, ropes, clubs, over-sized tyres, sledgehammers, body-weight training and even Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) – all these and more seem to be THE choice for yuppies and the Generation Y cohort.

4. Greater Popularity Of Outdoor-Based Fitness Sessions

In 2012, we also expect to see more and more fitness consumers ditching the gym for outdoor-based workouts in the form of fitness boot camps or small group personal training. This trend seems to arise from the recognition and appreciation of more ‘natural’ forms of training – such as utilizing one’s own body weight through the use of highly portable outdoor fitness equipment (eg. TRX Suspension Trainer) - as opposed to the old era of depending solely on cumbersome indoor gym machines. At the same time, the expanding Outdoor Exercise Movement which advocates exercising in natural outdoor surroundings and environment (think: fresh air, sunshine and greenery) also plays a large role in bringing about this trend.

5. Increase In Popularity Of Sport-Specific Training

The number of people in Singapore playing recreational and competitive sports have been steadily increasing over the years. In fact, participation in popular sports like golf, running, tennis, bowling, martial arts etc have hit an all-time high in recent years. This phenomenon has also given rise to a greater demand for behind-the-scenes sports science support – especially in the form of sport-specific conditioning programs and sports nutrition programs - which are both seen as paramount to helping an athlete achieve optimal performance in his/her sport of choice. As such, we expect to see a continual rise in the demand for sport-specific conditioning services and sport-specific nutritional programs in the coming years ahead.

6. Rise Of Corrective and Rehabilitative Exercise Programs

Following the increase in participation in sports and fitness here in Singapore, there will also be a corresponding increase in awareness of the various muscular dysfunctions and movement imbalances that may result from faulty training patterns; as well as a higher incidence of sporting injuries arising from overuse and/or sporting trauma. As a result, there will be a corresponding rise in demand for more corrective and rehabilitative exercise programs to help these exercisers and athletes correct, rehabilitate and regain proper and full function of their bodies.

This report on the 2012 Singapore Fitness Trends is by no means exhaustive nor definitive.

We have merely hoped to represent – as accurately as we can – what we have observed and feel is the pattern that will most likely emerge in the coming year ahead.

Although none of us can really predict what the future holds for us, we sincerely wish that this survey will be useful to all fitness professionals - especially those based here in Singapore – who need to make important decisions with regards to the direction and focus of their fitness businesses for year 2012.

The Evolution Of Fitness Training In Singapore

Fitness training in Singapore - as we know it – has come a long way since its humble beginnings.

Way back in the sixties and seventies, when fitness first made its headway into the lives of Singaporeans, the majority of serious fitness followers were mainly men, who were predominantly into Weight-Training, Olympic Lifting and Body-Building. In those days, the Everbright Gym and the Evergreen Gym ranked among the top gyms in Singapore in terms of sheer membership numbers and popularity - and were hugely responsible for churning out the various local and regional champions in body-building and weight-lifting for our little republic.

Into the eighties, women started to enter the fitness scene, aided greatly by the world-wide Dance Aerobics Craze which swept across the world like a wild-fire, sparing none including Singapore, and converting hordes of followers (especially women) with its razzmatazz dance movements performed to loud disco music. Aerobics classes were the rave then, from community centres (as they were known then) to public dance halls and even right into people’s private living-rooms - transforming adult women (and even some men) and adolescent girls into leotard-clad energizer bunnies bouncing away to pounding music in the background .

As Singapore moved into the nineties, there emerged a greater interest and appreciation in the actual science and methodology behind fitness training. As a result, it led to a whole school of fitness followers experimenting and swearing by various training modalities, including: High Intensity Training,  Superset Training, Circuit Training, Cross-Training etc… Incidentally, fitness training also became more widespread than ever, with its practitioners evenly shared out among both men and women. It was also during this period that we saw the emergence of “mega” commercial gyms in Singapore.

As we enter the 21st century, the popularity of fitness training took off like a freight train, greatly aided by the government’s constant championing of a ‘healthy lifestyle’ and its role in society. An unprecendented variety of fitness disciplines also started to appear during this period – from Kickboxing to Pilates, from Aqua Aerobics to Yoga, as well as numerous other integrated forms of exercises, leaving the Singapore Consumer with a delectable spread of fitness activities to choose from.

Today, the sheer variety of fitness training options available to the public is simply nothing short of mind-boggling. From MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) conditioning classes to Functional Movement Training to Group Fitness Boot Campsto Kettlebell Lifting etc, the consumer is simply spoilt for choice. On top of that, fitness training is now taken as a serious and respectable field of study, with numerous fitness courses and certifications available for those who wish to learn more about the science behind fitness training, and for those who wish to pursue a career in the fitness industry. And every where we see, large commercial gyms, middle-sized fitness centres, small specialized boutique gyms and even mobile personal trainers are now the norm and the mainstay in the local Singapore Fitness Industry.

Moving forwards, we can only wait with bated breath and see what the future holds for the fitness consumer in Singapore.

And looking at our past history, it certainly looks VERY interesting and VERY promising indeed going forwards – especially for those of us who continue to share the same passion and love for fitness as our predecessors before us …….

Is The Personal Training Industry In Singapore Dying? Part 2

This is a follow-up to our article of the same title written last week.

For those who miss Part 1, do click on the following link below to read it:

Is The Personal Training Industry In Singapore Dying? Part 1

Well, what’s your response after reading the first article?

Do you really think the personal training industry in Singapore is going the way of its western counterparts - to its imminent DEATH – in view of all the overwhelming evidence against it ???? 

Well, this is what we – at Singapore Fitness Professionals Network honestly think:

1) First and foremost, we do acknowledge  that it is indeed going to be HARDER and HARDER for most personal trainers, or as a matter of fact, any personalized service provider to survive in the industry because of all the various reasons cited in part 1 of our article.

However, the good thing is this: all the additional competition and economic changes will only serve to WEED OUT the various ‘pretenders’, ‘sub-standard’ trainers and other‘half-baked’ imposters from the REAL professionals in the industry - those who are fully committed to the profession, who invest time and effort in professional upgrading, and whose expertise, experience and voice of reason and authority SEPARATE them from the ordinary and common trainers.

2) Regardless of economic conditions, there will ALWAYS be a pool of people who will NEED, WANT and can AFFORD personal training. Frankly, no other fitness programs can substitute the personalised attention, privacy, customization and accelerated results that often accompany personal training, and these benefits and more will always appeal to individuals who appreciate them and who are seeking after them whole-heartedly.

3) From a social point of view, personalized forms of services have long since been very much a part of the life of the High Society in Singapore - those belonging to the elite membership circle of the “Rich, Successful and Famous”. ( just think: personal chauffeur, personal chef, personal maid, personal masseur and the list goes on …) 

Frankly, many of the “Who’s Who” in the upper echelons of society CAN and WILL continue to pay for personal training – if not for the various tangible health/fitness benefits that it brings – but also very much for the status/class symbol that it represents.

This brings us back to the question: Will Personal Training really DIE off in Singapore one day???

Well, in view of all the above factors, we unequivocally feel that the answer is a resounding: NO.

Personal training will NEVER EVER ‘die’ off in the literal sense.

Those who insist they will, are simply making premature assumptions based on their own biased and short-sighted views.

But what will certainly happen is this: personal trainers will certainly need to UP their service standards by several notches, MARKET themselves more professionally and selectively, and operate in a much SMARTER way than ever before in order to survive and prosper.

Otherwise, they could very well be left ‘for dead’ – for good.

Is The Personal Training Industry In Singapore Dying? Part 1

Recently, a lot has been written in blogs, forums and other media about the deteriorating state of the personal training industry in the West.

In fact, quite a number of fitness authorities have even gone on record to say that personal training is fast becoming a dying industry in the 21st Century !

And that has set us thinking – frankly – how much of these that are written or discussed also apply to our local fitness industry here in Singapore?

Before we venture any further, we will need to first qualify what we mean by “personal training” in the context of this blog discussion.

Though personal training – to most people – usually means personalised fitness coaching (especially in relation to weight-loss or muscle-building), we would like to push the boundaries a bit, and use it a little more loosely here – to include ALL forms of personalised training or private coaching as long as they are related to the realm of fitness/wellness.

Hence, in other words, private one-to-one lessons in Yoga, Pilates, Dance Aerobics, and even Self-Defense among others, also qualify as “personal training” here – as they satisfy the requirements of a one-on-one, private or personalised approach in fitness/wellness.

Bearing this in mind, let look at some of our observations about the Singapore Fitness Industry as a whole:

1) Explosion in trainer/instructor numbers over the last few years.

With the rise of personalised services and the growing affluence of the middle class in Singapore, more and more people are now eyeing the wealth potential in the fitness industry, and are jumping aboard the fitness/wellness bandwagon to get themselves “certified ” as trainers/instructors in the various fields of fitness.

Add to that the increasing number of ‘Foreign Talent’ ( think Philippines, India, China etc ) migrating in droves to our shores and also contributing to these numbers in the industry, the end result is an over-flow of trainers (many of questionable quality) competing with one other for a bite of the fitness pie.

Incidentally, many trainers are also now resorting to price wars – slashing their enrolment costs or session fees in order to attract more clients -  an unfortunate and unwise strategy, which any sound economist would attest to – as it usually sounds the death knell of that business or industry in the long run. 

3) Growth Of Group Training

If you’ve been following fitness news across the world, you would be aware that group training or boot camps – as they are popularly known – are also taking off in a big way throughout the world and Singapore.

This may well have to do with the changing perceptions that people have with regards to the traditional notion of fitness coaching, and also perhaps a response to the deteriorating conditions of the world economy – where people are now more cost-conscious in view of the uncertainties ahead.

By pooling resources to pay for a single trainer/coach, clients are not only able to save significant costs in training fees, enjoy group camaraderie at the same time, but also receive some form of instructional and supervisory guidance over their fitness workouts.

As such, more and more fitness enthusiasts are now ‘migrating‘  from one-on-one personal training sessions to group-based exercise classes.  

3) Bad State Of The Current Economy

As earlier mentioned, the Singapore economy is more often than not buffeted by the headwinds of the various economic ills from around the world. And with a ‘bear market’ looking increasingly likely for the Singapore economy in the near future, more and more people are now starting to tighten their belts and are more than willing to forgo the little “luxuries” in life. And personal training, unfortunately, is often one of the first ‘luxuries’ in life to be sacrificed in any attempt to save costs.

4) What do YOU think ????

Honestly, is it really all doom and gloom for the personal training industry in Singapore?

Is there no more hope for personal trainers whose livelihoods depend so much on private one-on-one fitness coaching?

Please feel free to let us know what you think. 

In the meantime, stay tuned for the 2nd part of our series – Coming Soon!

Why You Don’t Need A Personal Trainer In Singapore

Personal trainers and fitness coaches are pretty hot right now in Singapore. You may have seen them in action in your neighbourhood gym or commercial fitness facility – training men and women of different ages and builds.

And now, maybe you’re intrigued. If so many people are using personal trainers and private fitness coaches here in Singapore, there must be something to it, mustn’t it? 

Well, the truth is you simply don’t need any trainer to teach you about fitness.

And here’s why:

1)  You Are Smart Enough To Train Yourself

Let’s face it - getting fit is easy. Building muscle is easy. Losing weight is easy. Why bother getting a trainer???

You can always pick up fitness information from the internet, from newspaper articles, from magazines off the rack and then apply everything you read to yourself, right? What more can be easier?

As someone with brains and sophistication, you are definitely better off training yourself with so much available information floating around you.

Simply take your pick of any training routine out there and then apply it wholesale to yourself.

And hey presto, soon you’ll have the body of your dreams!

2) It’s Not Worth The Money

After all, it’s just your fitness, health and body you’re talking about, right? No big deal. Why waste so much money on a personal trainer???

Ya, no doubt fitness professionals may have all the relevant knowledge, formal education and professional expertise in the areas of training, nutrition and human physiology, but hey, who needs all these airy-fairy things?

Your money can be better spent in areas like bingeing out at Burger King, watching late-night movies (while slurping your Coke and munching away at Nachos), and of course, buying that iPhone you’ve always wanted.

Your body and health are never as important as money, right? 

What’s more, if you really screw up your body and fitness with some lousy training routine, you can always undo it, can’t you? No big deal.

3) You Can Always Learn From Buddies Around You

What are friends for? You can always workout with a buddy who is an ‘expert’ in training and then follow exactly what he/she does. Makes sense, right?

After all, your buddy must surely know something about training, right? Just look at the size of his arms!

Moreover, your buddy’s body works exactly like yours too, correct? So what works for him/her must surely work for you, too. Simple logic, right?

So, just go and make friends with all the impressive-looking bods out there and then learn their training ’secrets’ – and then replicate them like for like. 

See, told you it is easy, isn’t it?

Always do what the famous philosopher said: “Monkey see, Monkey do” and you’ll be fine. Promise.

In Conclusion

Personal trainers and fitness instructors are just a waste of time…..

After all, they are merely ‘teachers’ of fitness .

And as an adult who still needs teachers or mentors to tell you what to do and how to do things???

After all, you’ve been getting along fine all these years, right?

Hmmmm, just wait a minute…..

Do Singaporeans Know The TRUE Meaning Of Fitness?

Over the past couple of years, the fitness bug has certainly bit a large segment of the population here in Singapore, as seen in the rising number of people who engage in fitness pursuits of one kind or another.

From memberships at commercial fitness gyms and boutique studios, to enrolment in private personal training and personal mind-body wellness programs, to participation in outdoor group fitness sessions and other sporting activities, all these have hit an all-time high in Singapore.

With these high participation rates across fitness activities in Singapore, is it thus safe for us to assume that the vast majority of Singaporeans are truly fit, and that what they are pursuing really constitutes TRUE fitness or TOTAL fitness?

Contrary to what many of us would think, a study of Singaporeans’ exercise habits by the team here at Singapore Fitness Professionals Network actually reveal that the majority of exercises do NOT really understand the real meaning of fitness, and often fall short of attaining what TOTAL Fitness is.

Take for example – a typical 20-30 year-old male iron-pumper in the gym who is engaged in “bodybuilding” or “weight-lifting” type of training. Ask him what fitness is, and he invariably talks about building muscle mass, strength or even power. Hardy, if ever, will you hear any mention of flexibility, agility, balance or even cardiovascular efficiency.

Likewise, talk to any of the New Age followers of Yoga, Pilates or the like, and you will find their concept of fitness as limited to “stress reduction“, “mind-body connection“, “body tone“, “flexibility” etc. No where will you hear any emphasis on fitness concepts such as muscular strength, power, or even speed and agility.

Even those involved in traditional so-called “all-rounded” sports - such as triathlon - are often limited in their understanding of fitness. To them, fitness often means one thing, and one thing only  - having peak endurance or super-human stamina. No where will you hear them extolling the benefits of power/strength training, plyometrics, or balance, and flexibility.

So, what’s the point of all these? The point is:

Most people in Singapore are often so tuned in to just 1 or 2 of their favourite fitness activities that they FAIL to see that they are seriously neglecting other important components of fitness.

In other words, their concept and pursuit of fitness have become extremely one-sided, skewed or unbalanced.

By adopting a certain BIAS towards a particular fitness activity, they have invariably forgotten the basic foundational truth of fitness :

That NO single exercise or physical activity out there in the entire world can ever train or work ALL the various components of fitness.

This in turn basically means that anyone whose fitness pursuits are limited in variety, are seriously short-changing themselves in terms of their fitness.

So, this invariably begs the question of what we must do then in order to qualify as being truly fit - as in having TOTAL or COMPLETE fitness.

The answer is this:

We need to engage in as many DIFFERENT fitness activities as possible that train or stimulate ALL the different components of fitness – which could range from muscular strength, muscular endurance, cardiovascular efficiency to muscular power, flexibility, balance, mobility, and even speed and agility .

Take for example, someone who engages in middle-distance running, weight-trains 2-3 times a week, joins a flexibility group class, does a series of calisthenics/body-weight drills on his/her own, works on a bosu ball for balance, and partakes in interval sprint training in the pool, would notably be much more closer to having COMPLETE fitness than any of the following  :

• someone who just pumps heavy iron 6-days a week to the exclusion of everything else.
• someone who does Yoga, twice-a-day, 7-days a week and nothing else.
• someone who just runs and runs and runs in the name of “fitness”

The lesson for all of us here is to bear in mind that FITNESS is  an extremely all-encompassing term. In order to qualify as being truly FIT – in its entirety - we need to do more than just indulge in our favourite physical activities to the exclusion of everything else.

So, the next time you hear someone boasting about being extremely “FIT”, take a good look at that person’s training regime.

If it’s nothing more than a one-dimensional pursuit of a single activity, you know for sure that the person has absolutely NO idea of what real fitness truly constitutes.

How Qualified Is Your Typical Singapore Fitness Professional?

Nowadays, almost anyone can call himself or herself a “fitness instructor”, a “personal trainer” or any of the various namesakes related to the Singapore Fitness Profession.

From fresh-faced school-leavers, to weary in-between-jobs cynics, to even stay-at-home moms looking for some extra income, the fitness industry is seen as a veritable “goldmine” for some people to tap upon.

And sadly, with the proliferation of numerous shady online fitness ”mills” – where one can actually become a “certified” trainer with just a few hours of online study – it is indeed a frightening thought whose hands you may be subjecting your bodies and fitness to when you engage a trainer nowadays.

This leads us to the question of how professional or qualified are these “fitness professionals” selling their wares in Singapore?

To assist consumers in making an intelligent choice, we offer the following guidelines:

1) Always check to see that your trainer possesses credible fitness qualifications from recognized institutions. ( check out the following List Of Recognized Fitness Certifications And Institutions for more information)

2) Check to see that your trainer is BOTH certified in CPR (Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation) & AED (Automated External Defibrillation).

3) Check for the amount of Hands-On Experience that your trainer actually has within the fitness industry.

4) Also ask to view any verifiable client testimonials that your trainer may have.

5) And finally, use your own gut instinct or intuition when determining whether a trainer is the REAL deal or not.

Well, there you have it. If you are able to do the above, you greatly increase your chances of finding a trainer that is not only suitable to your needs, but also fully-qualified and highly-professional.

Pet Peeves Of Singapore Personal Fitness Trainers

Everyone has his/her pet peeves at the workplace, and our personal trainers and fitness coaches in Singapore are no different too.

The following are some of the most common pet peeves shared by trainers, instructors and coaches from the Singapore Fitness Industry.

If you happen to be a fitness client or a fitness consumer reading this, we hope you will also sit up, take note and make a mental note NEVER EVER to  impose any of the following “irritants” on your trainer or coach.

Common Pet Peeves Of Singapore Fitness Trainers & Coaches:

1. Fitness clients who are ALWAYS late and never repentant.

2. Fitness clients who think they are SMARTER than their trainers just because they have some half-baked fitness knowledge, or happen to have some prior training background.

3. Fitness clients who love to WHINE and COMPLAIN about everything.

4. Fitness clients who keep CANCELING or RE-SCHEDULING their workouts.

5. Fitness clients who FAIL to follow what their trainers tell them to do. 

6. Fitness clients who don’t PAY on time.

7. Fitness clients who can’t stop TALKING or GOSSIPING.

8. Fitness clients who JUMP-HOP from trainer to trainer.

9. Fitness clients who have UNREALISTIC expectations.

10. Fitness clients who can’t STAY OFF their Blackberrys or iPhones while training.

11. Fitness clients who are RUDE, OBNOXIOUS and ARROGANT.

12. Fitness clients who simply CAN’T be bothered.

Well, there you have it: 12 top pet peeves of personal trainers and fitness instructors in Singapore.

Have any of your own???

Feel free to share them with us.

Singapore General Election: Issues Concerning The Fitness Professional Community

As the dust settled over the recently concluded General Election in Singapore, where for the first time, we see an unprecedented victory for the Workers’ Party in Aljunied, and a highest-ever number of opposition seats occupied in Parliament since Independence, what remains to be seen is how all the victorious parties are now going to live up to the various promises and manifestos that they have announced during the campaigning period. 

Issues such as housing cost, influx of foreigners, congestion on public transportation, rising cost of living, among others, have all but dominated the headlines in recent weeks.

And most, if not all of the winning parties have already started assuring voters that they would be tackling these issues head-on in the coming days ahead.

In a way, within the Singapore Fitness Professional Community, there is also a general sense of hope that the political changes could also fuel policy changes that would address the various concerns of fitness professionals in Singapore.

Ask any personal fitness trainer, group exercise instructor or wellness coach in Singapore, and the following issues often come up TOPS in their concerns:

1) the emergence of “cheap” or “budget” trainers in Singapore who have no qualms under-cutting the market with ridiculously low rates, and thus seriously affecting the earnings and image of serious fitness professionals.

2) the influx of foreign trainers and non-local coaches into Singapore, thus increasing competition for clients and invariably shrinking the “size of the pie” for everyone concerned.

3) an increasing pool of poorly qualified, semi-trained or even non-trained individuals who are trying to ride the current fitness boom in Singapore, moonlighting themselves as “trainers” or “instructors” in the Singapore Fitness Sector, causing unwanted competition and bringing the industry into disrepute with their unprofessionalism and poor work ethics.

4) the prevalence of high and unfair commission charges imposed by commercial fitness facilities on trainers’ earnings, and the emergence of so-called “fitness agencies” in Singapore who do their utmost to milk maximum profits out from Fitness Pros’ pockets by charging exorbitant commission rates for the referral of prospects/contacts to trainers.

All the above issues are very real to the Singapore Fitness Professional who is working close to the ground.

Realistically, we do not expect the powers-to-be to zoom in specifically on our sector’s concerns. However, there is still a general hope that some government policies or regulations could be drawn up to address these issues – directly or indirectly.

At the moment, it would be good to keep our fingers crossed and hope that any breakthrough within the Singapore political landscape would finally address the concerns of the – small, but vitally important – professional fitness community here.

The Best Fitness Careers And Jobs In Singapore

With a vibrant economy supported by an increasingly cosmopolitan population, it is no surprise that the fitness industry here in Singapore is currently in the midst of a boom.

As demand for private and personal fitness services continue to rise, more and more people are now opening up to the idea of a career or job within the fitness sector in Singapore.

A fitness career or job does come with its fair share of perks and benefits – most notably, being in a position to help others improve their health, fitness and quality of life; and also being able to pursue one’s own hobby or passion in fitness full-time as a career choice.

And of course, not forgetting that the fitness industry also happens to offer one of the most lucrative and rewarding remuneration plans to its BEST performers – especially to those who choose to operate a private or independent fitness business.

It is an open secret that most TOP or ELITE  trainers, coaches and instructors within the private fitness sector today rack-in 5-figure sums monthly - rivalling even the paychecks of many senior business executives in the corporate world - and truly living up to its billing as one of the highest-paying “freelance” jobs in Singapore.

In no particular order, the following are currently some of the most popular, lucrative and ’hot’ fitness careers and jobs within the fitness sector here in Singapore:

Personal Trainer

A Personal Trainer is essentially a fitness professional who specializes in one-to-one personal exercise prescription, instruction and guidance. The personal trainer usually chooses to specialize in one/some of the many fitness fields, ranging from sports performance to strength-&-conditioning to pre-post natal fitness and more.

Usually the highly successful personal trainer would be one who runs his/her own private, independent practice, serving clients in their home residences, condominium compounds, private offices or even at outdoor settings.

Typically, an established personal trainer here in Singapore would charge anything in excess of S$100 per hour of training.

Yoga Teacher

A Yoga Teacher is one who teaches and instructs in any of the various Yoga disciplines and forms, particularly those that involve some system of bodily exercises and/or mental relaxation. 

The elite Yoga Teacher is typically one who offers one-to-one or private small group sessions to an exclusive clientele, charging anywhere between S$100 – S$200 per session, depending on location, style/choice of Yoga, level of advancement etc. 

Pilates Instructor

A Pilates Instructor is one who conducts body conditioning and physical training sessions based on the popular fitness system founded by Joseph Pilates.

Top Pilates Instructors are usually those with a wealth of experience and credentials, and are often sought-after by celebrities, dignitaries and socially elite individuals for private personal sessions in their homes, hotel suites or private residences. On-going rates for exclusive one-to-one Pilates sessions with a top-of-the-field Pilates Instructor could cost anything between $150 – $250 per hourly session.

Group Exercise Instructor

A Group Exercise Instructor is a fitness professional who conducts exercise and training sessions in a group setting. These group workouts may be conducted either indoors – in studios, function rooms and private spaces, or outdoors – in parks, public stadiums, along the beaches etc. These workout sessions may also be carried out to the rhythm of music – as in aerobics or dance fitness classes, or without music, as in fitness boot camps and small group conditioning sessions.

Typically, a top-notch, in-demand Group Exercise Instructor commands a rate of $120/hour onwards for each session, or he/she may choose to charge by per head based on a minimum quota of participants ( the total revenue from all participants would usually have to be in excess of $100 per session before a class could start).

Well, there you have it.

5 top fitness career choices for those of you who are keen on a career in the Singapore Fitness Industry.

Just a word of caution though: as lucrative and rewarding a fitness career may seem, it may NOT be suitable for everyone.

In order to make the cut, one must  have a real passion in fitness, be a great communicator, have good social & interpersonal skills, and also sincerely like helping others to improve their fitness and well-being.

If you think that you have all the above qualities and more, then CONGRATULATIONS – the Singapore Fitness Industry would be more than happy to welcome you to its family. 

If you wish to find out more about a fitness career in Singapore, do hop over to the following online sites for more information:

• Fitness Certifications & Courses In Singapore
• Singapore Fitness Career Options