Ethics Within The Singapore Fitness Profession

In Singapore and in other parts of the world - which have an active, vibrant fitness scene – trainers, coaches and instructors who provide professional fitness services of one kind or another are expected to abide to a code of ethics governing their interactions and transactions with members of the public.

These code of ethics are usually set forth by the respective fitness organizations that issue certifications to trainers, and most, if not all, have codes of conduct such as: providing quality instruction to clients, not discriminating against persons irrespective of race, gender or age, respecting other fellow fitness professionals and carrying oneself with utmost integrity and professionalism.

And to our knowledge, the majority of Singapore Fitness Pros do abide to these ethical codes and have little, if any, problem living up to them.

Unfortunately, like in every other industry, there are always some black sheep among the community who blatantly disregard these ethics for their own agendas.

Below mentioned are some of the common ethical shortcomings observed among a small segment of fitness professionals within our community:

1. Trainers Who Are More Interested In Selling “Fitness Products” Than Coaching Itself

These trainers are the ones who believe in pushing sales of supplements, pills, powders, and other fitness products onto their unsuspecting clients. In fact, for some of these trainers – the profits from the sales of these products far outweigh their earnings from coaching itself! However, from an ethical point of view, this business of selling should be frowned upon as it demeans the fitness profession, and distracts from the real purpose why clients sign up for fitness lessons in the first place - basically for instruction and NOT for the purchase of fitness products.

2. Trainers Who Discriminate Against Segments Of The Population

There are also some trainers who are extremely selective and discriminatory in whom they choose to be their clients. In fact, some of them have been known to set certain arbitrary criteria when it comes to selecting clients: for example, they are only willing to take-on clients who come from certain well-to-do districts (usually the landed private property areas), belong to a certain social/economic status, or who are from a certain ‘teachable’ age group. Prospects/clients who do not satisfy these conditions are summarily dismissed by these trainers and told to “look elsewhere”. Again, such arrogant and discriminatory behaviour have no place in our fitness industry.

3. Trainers Who Do Not Abide By Their Fitness Contracts 

When a business transaction takes place between a fitness professional and a willing client, a paper contract or agreement is usually signed by both parties to acknowledge the terms and conditions under which the service will be provided and payment to be made. Unfortunately, there are known cases of trainers or instructors failing to abide by the agreed terms listed in the contract, or those who short-change their clients even after signing a contract, resulting in much inconvenience, disillusionment or even monetary losses on the part of the clients. Again, this is something extremely unbecoming and unsavoury for anyone who professes to be a professional in the fitness industry.

4. Trainers Who Get Into Inappropriate Relationships With Their Clients

As professionals providing an honourable health/fitness service to mankind, a high level of moral integrity is to expected among those who call themselves fitness professionals. Unfortunately, a small minority are always willing to forgo their morals and indulge in inappropriate or ‘hanky-panky’ relationships with their clients – either for individual gain or as a consequence of their own flawed characters. In Singapore, there have been cases of trainers having sexual relationships with married clients, being involved in straight/gay/group sex with casual prospects and openly offering “special services” as part of their ’fitness packages’. Not only does such behavior go against every grain of conduct for fitness professionals, it also casts a misleading and negative light on the profession as a whole, unfairly tainting all other trainers along with it.

6. Trainers Who Discredit Other Fellow Fitness Professionals

Whether it is out of pure jealousy, professional envy or industry rivalry, there are always some trainers or coaches who simply have no qualms discrediting their fellow fitness pros for their own individual gain. Perhaps thinking that it would help them gain an upper hand when it comes to attracting clients, these trainers would resort to spreading unfounded rumours, speaking ill-will, gossiping, or simply distorting facts regarding other trainers in order to cast a bad light on them. Again, such behaviours are not to be condoned as they merely serve to put the industry down and sow seeds of discord and suspicion among fellow trainers.

As bad as they may seem, the above ethical shortcomings are fortunately NOT the norm in the Singapore Fitness Industry.

However, the fact that they exist - shows that much can still be done to improve the state of ethics within the fitness community here.

Ultimately, the onus falls on each individual trainer, coach or instructor to uphold for himself/herself – a high standard of ethical behaviour as becoming that of a Fitness Professional – and to recognize that the benefits of adopting such sound ethical practices will eventually far outweigh any short-term gain or temporary advantage that any ethical short-cut may bring about in the long run.

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!

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.

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

What Singapore Personal Trainers And Fitness Pros Can Learn From The Japan Disasters

It has been almost a month since the devastating earthquake and massive tsunami descended upon Japan’s coastal towns and surrounding areas, causing widespread destruction and reducing everything in their path to rubble.

Add to that the subsequent scenario of a deepening nuclear crisis looming over the country, it is obvious that the people of Japan truly have their hands full dealing with one catastrophe after another.

Back in our safe haven here in Singapore, many Singaporeans (including not a few from the Singapore Fitness Industry) have commendably opened their hearts and wallets to the Japanese people, and pitched in generously with donations and reliefs of various kinds to show their unanimous support for Japan.

Incidentally, from these Japanese disasters, numerous lessons have also emerged for the rest of humanity.

These lessons include:

Expect The Unexpected

Life is full of unexpected twists and turns, and the earlier we recognize this fact, the better it is for us. As a personal trainer or fitness professional in Singapore, though we may be relatively sheltered from natural or physical disasters, the spectrum of other “disasters” – such as financial, personal or career - are always hanging over our heads, and could very well strike us – anytime, anywhere. For instance, a ‘major’ or ‘loyal’ client may suddenly decide to terminate your fitness services without prior notice. Or, worse, you could find yourself dragged to court by a client for liability issues related to your fitness practice. Whatever it is, the lesson to learn is: constantly be on your toes, look out for ‘warning ‘ signs or signals that something is amiss, and to expect occasional unexpected changes to your status quo from time to time.

Be Prepared

Being prepared for the worst – mentally, emotionally, financially and physically – may be one of your best investments to date. We never know when a tragedy may strike us - such as the discovery of a terminal illness just when we are at the height of our fitness careers, or an accident which may permanently curtail our career as a fitness professional, or even the loss of a loved one just when everything else seems going along fine. Since no one on earth can be entirely spared from crises or tragedies throughout our lifetime, the best bet is to be prepared for the worst-case scenario in our lives. Being prepared will help to soften the blow when the unexpected happens, and puts us in the right frame of mind to deal constructively with the situation.

Be Organized And Efficient

The Japanese penchant for organization and efficiency are laid bare for all to see during this period of national crises. Amidst the destruction in the country, the Japanese’s ability to pick up their lives in such an organized and efficient manner are truly admirable traits for all the other races and cultures of the world to emulate. All professional fitness coaches and group exercise instructors in Singapore can also pick up a thing or two about organization and efficiency from the Japanese. Whether it is the day-to-day scheduling of your fitness lessons, or doing the preparation work for your fitness classes, being organized and efficient will inevitably help you to attain the level of success and accomplishment that you want.   

Always Stay Calm And Positive

The ability to stay calm, positive and even in high spirits are some of the positive characteristics that have emerged from the recent Japan disasters. Despite the massive loss of personal belongings, investments and loved ones, many victims of the current disasters have remained stoic and calm, and even managed to spread positive vibes and goodwill to fellow sufferers around them. Fitness professionals in Singapore would do well to emulate the Japanese, and inculcate these traits of positive thinking and calmness too. Being positive and calm in all situations would only elevate your professionalism, enhance your reputation, garner respect from your clients and peers, and increase your chances of success in your fitness career and personal life.

As the aftermath of the disaster continues to unfold, we – at Singapore Fitness Professionals Network – would like to join the rest of the world in offering our heartfelt prayers and blessings to all the people of Japan and wish them all the best in the coming days ahead.

And knowing the admirable traits that the Japanese people possess, we have no doubts that they will eventually triumph over their recent hardships and mishaps, and emerge victorious at the end.

Are Expat Trainers And Foreign Instructors BAD For The Singapore Fitness Industry?

In recent years, Singapore has seen a large influx of expatriates and foreigners joining our workforce.

Within the Singapore Fitness Industry itself, industry observers have noted a marked increase in the number of foreigners and expatriates joining our local Singapore-born instructors, coaches and trainers in providing fitness/wellness-related services here.

In fact, a quick glance at various fitness niches popular here in Singapore show a remarkable mix of expat/foreign instructors within their midst.

Consider the following: it is now common to see Yogis or Yoga Gurus from India providing their yoga services here in Singapore, Aerobics Instructors from Philippines conducting aerobics classes at local clubs and schools, Dance Fitness Instructors from Mainland China offering fitness/exotic dance classes throughout the island, Personal Trainers and Fitness Instructors from Indonesia, Australia, Hong Kong etc working the commercial gyms and providing personal training in private residences across Singapore, and even American and European Fitness Coaches running their private fitness boot camp programs and outdoor group exercise workouts at our local parks, nature reserves, public stadiums, beaches etc …. and the list goes on.

So what do we make of all these?

Should Singapore instructors and coaches start tearing their hair in frustration and rue the potential loss in clients and income from this “foreign” influx? Should they fret, curse and swear, and basically give up all hope of ever “making it BIG” in the fitness profession in the face of such massive competition?

Or should local Fitness Service Providers pull up their socks, accept and embrace the changing reality around them, and take the competition head on? And perhaps even forge an alliance with these “foreign talents” and aim for a synergistic and mutually rewarding relationship ?

We – at Singapore Fitness Professionals Network - are of the opinion that we should all adopt the latter approach and create a win-win situation for all those involved.

Let’s consider this phenomenon from a positive point of view: the influx of foreign and expat trainers into the Singapore Fitness industry actually does have many advantages, such as:

1) Coming from different countries and cultures, these foreign imports do bring along with them certain unique skills, experiences and credentials that can only enrich and benefit our fitness industry as a whole. And local Singapore instructors and trainers could draw upon their foreign counterparts’ experiences and skills to further improve their own standing in the fitness industry too.

2) Foreign coaches also bring along with them valuable overseas contacts and networks that our local Singapore trainers can tap upon, or even forge an alliance with, to expand and widen their own businesses beyond the region. 

3) As the Singapore Fitness/Wellness Sector is growing at an unprecedented rate, these foreign trainers can actually help meet the demands of the fitness market, and even afford our local Singapore trainers and coaches some “breathing space” to catch up on their own professional upgrading and personal self-improvement without compromising the needs of the clients.  

 4) And more importantly, the presence of these Expat/Foreign instructors will definitely help raise the overall standard of coaching, instructing and general professionalism within the Singapore Fitness Industry – which by all accounts has much room to improve – by eliciting competition and comparison.

Thus, as the above has shown, the influx of foreign trainers and coaches can in fact be a very GOOD thing for the Singapore Fitness Industry, and a BLESSING in disguise for our own local trainers and instructors.

So the next time you see a foreign or expat trainer in our midst, do walk up to him/her and extend a warm handshake of welcome to them – for they could very well turn out to be the BEST thing ever happen to our Singapore Fitness Industry.

Confessions Of A Singapore Personal Trainer

Ever wanted to know what goes on inside the mind and behind the scenes of a Singapore Personal Fitness Trainer? Well, you finally got the chance to do that today.

Our team here at Singapore Fitness Professionals Network has managed to track down and convince one of our country’s longest-serving “elite-class” personal trainer and got him to spill the beans on his profession and the industry.

For confidentiality reasons, we will only refer to our interviewee as M.

All we can say is that M is a local male Singaporean in his mid-thirties, and who has been serving in the fitness industry for over 10 years as a Personal Trainer and Private Fitness Instructor. He is also one of the higher-earning fitness freelancers around with an average monthly income in the 5-figure bracket.

Below herewith is a transcript of our phone interview with him.

 Note:

- Parts of the conversation may have been paraphrased, truncated or edited to suit the print context.

- The views represented here are purely those of the interviewee, and do not represent the views of Singapore Fitness Professionals Network (SFPN).

- Reader discretion is advised

Interview With M- Singapore’s Elite Personal Trainer 

SFPN: Hi, Glad to get in touch with you, and firstly a word of thanks – for agreeing to this interview.

M: No problem. My pleasure.

SFPN: OK. Let’s get to the point. How long have you been in the Singapore Fitness Industry.

M: Coming to 11 years.

SFPN: That’s quite a long time. Please tell us how it all started.

M: I have always been interested in fitness and sports since young. So when I left NS (National Service), I decided to sign-up for a fitness instructor course with the Singapore Sports Council….. and one thing led to another ….. and that’s where I’m now.

SFPN: Is the sports council certification the only one you got?

M: Oh, No. No. I actually got a few more certs over the years as well. 

SFPN: Can you tell us what are some of these certs for?

M: I got a cert for advanced personal trainer, one for special populations, and another for rehab training.

SFPN: Are these certs local, by the way?

M: Nope, some are from Australia and others from the States (USA).

SFPN: Great. Let’s move on. We understand that you are currently an independent freelance trainer. Has it always been this arrangement?

M: No…not really …. I actually started out as a gym instructor in ******** (one of the big gyms in Singapore). I left after about a year-and-a-half there, and been on my own ever since.

SFPN: Can you tell us the reason why you left?

M: Ha, Ha…I was hoping you wouldn’t ask! But anyway, it’s been such a long time ago. Let’s just say that the (commercial) gym culture didn’t suit me, and I just can’t see any future (in) staying on….

SFPN: If given a chance today, would you want to go back to a commercial gym to work again?

M: No way, man. Are you joking? I will never want to go back  there. Guys, to be honest, working as a gym instructor sucks. It is a s**t life. Low pay. Long hours. Plenty of politics. Lousy management……yeah… 

SFPN: So are you saying that you’re much better off now?

M: Oh, yes. Definitely. Look – I’m earning much, much more now. I’ve got respect. I’m in demand.  And I’m free to do my own thing.

SFPN: Is it OK to tell us how much you earn?

M: I make about $10 000 to $12 000 per month …. hold on, before you say anything else, let me say this: I work REALLY hard to earn that amount of money, and all of it is legally earned, OK!

SFPN: Whoah… That’s quite a lot of money. Definitely much more than what a gym employee makes in a fitness center.

M: That’s what I mean. Why get stuck in a gym and earn s**t when the big fish is out there.

SFPN: But don’t you agree it’s not all about money…

M: Yeah. Sure. Don’t get me wrong. It’s not just  money, OK? I enjoy my job – that’s why I”m still in it after all these years. C’mon, but in Singapore, we have to be realistic, man. Money talks. And if I can do something I like and still earn big bucks, why not???

SFPN: Right, makes sense……

SFPN: OK, moving on…… anything interesting you would like to share with us…. about your experiences… about the industry?

M: Like what?? Can you be more specific.

SFPN: OK, let’s say….how about your clients. Who are there, and have you had any unpleasant encounters? Things like indecent proposals etc ?

M: Man, are you serious? Ha! OK…… my  clients are all what you call the “UPPER” class people – the executives, the CEOs, the V-Ps, the directors ……and well, most of them are nice people  - polite, respectful, eager to learn ….  maybe just one or two b*****ds who like to throw their weight now and then …. other than that, OK, no problem!

SFPN: Any Tais-Tais …. any indecent proposals ? Just an assurance - you know your identity is confidential here, right?

M: Ha ha ha…..c’mon man, I have a good reputation, OK!……Yes, I do have some Tais-Tais, but they’re OK….. nice but filthy rich. No hanky-panky stuff with them …..The closest to an “indecent” proposal I have was a long time ago ….maybe 5, 6 years ago …..when this client of mine – I’m no longer training her now by the way – hinted that I could stay overnight at her home – a semi-D…. that’s all. I said “NO” and we never brought up the matter again.  

SFPN: So you have been strictly professional with all your clients?

M: Of course, what do you think? Frankly, a lot of these rumours of personal trainers sleeping around are made up. This is Singapore, OK? Not America. Not the West. Most of us don’t do such things….. maybe just one or two black sheep, that’s all.

SFPN: So do you know any of these “black sheep” yourself?

M: Yeah…sure…I know of this PT ( personal trainer) who is gay, …. and seems like many people have seen him mixing around with some middle-aged Caucasian men in the area…… expats I think, and his clients also …..  but they’re all gay and like to fool around …..

SFPN: What do you think of trainers like him?

M: What I think? Ha, I think they are fools, man! Why ruin your professional reputation doing stupid things????

SFPN: OK, back to an earlier point….. You mentioned that you train mostly “upper” class people, correct? Is that by choice or by accident?

M: Well …. let me put it this way: whoever can pay my rates I will train them. As simple as that. 

SFPN: And what are you rates?

M: $120 per hour … onwards.

SFPN: That’s on the high side , isn’t it? At those rates, only the so-called “upper” class can afford it.

M: If that’s the case, then too bad. I don’t believe in lowering my rates to attract clients.

SFPN: What do you think of those trainers who charge something like $50-$60 per hour ?

M: I think it’s a joke, man! At those rates I can’t even pay my rent! Let me tell you: these trainers who charge these rates are what I call the “low-end” trainers… you know…. the part-timers who freelance for fun … teaching at public gyms and training only HDB ‘uncles’ and ‘aunties’……( ps. for foreign readers not in the know, HDB stands for Housing Development Board: Singapore’s public housing arm that supplies affordable flats for the general masses to live in)

SFPN: So you think they are not as good as you?

M:  Of course, they’re not real professionals, man. Just some youngsters out to make a quick buck. Let’s be honest …..we are different (class) ……they attract the neighbourhood-type of clients you know… the local housewives, NS ( National Service) boys, old aunties and uncles…. but I work with expats, CEOs, managing directors, TV artistes…..you know what I mean?…..

SFPN: So in other words, you price yourself out of the range of the average local Singaporean, right?

M:  Well, … if you want to look at it that way, then so be it. But frankly, all the better and more experienced trainers charge somewhere near my range….and I think clients also know that: if they want a better trainer, they must be prepared to pay for it.

SFPN: OK, fair enough, …. now back to something you mentioned earlier …. you said something about paying rent, right? So where are you putting up now?

M:  I’m renting a private apartment just outside town…….

SFPN: Well, that must be quite costly, isn’t it?

M:  It’s OK. Can’t be helped. I need to be close to my clients. And I can still afford it with my income.

SFPN: So most of your clients live around town area?

M:  Yup.

SFPN: So you go to their homes to train them?

M:  Yup. I do house visits. Condos, apartments, bungalows… I do them all…

SFPN: So you’re basically a mobile home trainer - going round the island training people?

M:  Ya….but not round the island… just around town area. I like it this way.

SFPN: OK, I think we are running a bit out of time. So last 2 questions. What do you think of our website: SingaporeFitnessNetwork.com?

M:  I think it’s a good idea. It’s time Singapore has a fitness directory like yours… (a website) that can connect trainers to clients is great……, I think if it can help more freelance trainers find jobs and clients – something which they (otherwise) won’t be able to do so (on their own) easily, it’ll be great.

SFPN: Thanks for your support! One last question: what career advice would you want to give to all the new fitness instructors and personal trainers out here in Singapore!

M:  Just be cool… follow your passion, gain experience and be professional in everything you do!

SFPN: Sorry, one final question: would you encourage them to follow your path?

M:  Sure, why not? Go freelance, be your own boss…..because that’s the best deal!!

SFPN: Thank you very much, M…. and all the best to you.

End Of Interview