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.

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.

Best Portable Fitness Equipment For Singapore Personal Trainers And Fitness Coaches

As more personal trainers and fitness coaches in Singapore provide mobile and in-home fitness services to their clients across the island, the question invariably arises: what fitness equipment is best suited for training clients who have no access to a gym, or for someone who prefers working outside a gym context, or for one who is constantly on the move?

Our team at Singapore’s Directory Of  Fitness Professionals then decided to search for some viable solutions for our mobile personal fitness trainers. As we ponder over the solutions, we set in place the following criteria:

• The choice of equipment have to be portable, compact, light-weight & convenient.
• These fitness equipment should be able to setup easily within seconds or minutes.  
• They must also fit comfortably into a regular-sized backpack used by most Singapore fitness professionals - thus satisfying the criteria of being a “gym in a bag”.
• They must be versatile enough to provide a full-body workout and a wide range of exercises.
• They must be usable and applicable to all client types: including people of varying fitness levels.

After much animated discussion and an exhaustive search on the Net, we finally shortlisted the following which we think are some of the best portable fitness equipment available around.

And in no particular order of merit, they are:

1. Jump Rope  

The humble jump rope is one of the most underrated piece of equipment in the fitness realm. Light, versatile and inexpensive, a single jump rope can help your client burn up to 1000 calories per hour, optimizes his/her cardiovascular fitness, tones all the major muscle groups of the body, and has the ability to maximize athleticism by integrating agility, coordination, timing, and endurance training. Not to mention that it is extremely fun and can be performed in countless variations and styles.

 

2. Resistance Tubings/Bands

Another inexpensive and highly portable piece of equipment that should belong to the “toolkit” of any mobile fitness instructor is the resistance band/tubing. Available in various resistance levels, the resistance band/tubing can effectively replicate any exercise in the gym, and has the added advantage of providing multi-directional resistance - something that no free weight can do. Also, they are great for functional training as they can be used to mimic real-life sports scenarios like punching, throwing, pulling and kicking.  

 

3. Power Wheel

The Power Wheel is an advanced and revolutionary “Ab-Wheel” that comes with both handles and foot pedals to be used on either the feet or the hands. Commonly used as a “Core” trainer, the Power Wheel can also be used to work one’s shoulders, arms, upper back and lower body. A great portable tool for any mobile fitness trainer when making house-calls!

 

 

4. AquaBells Travel Weights

Think dumbbells that are portable, collapsible and water-filled, and you get AquaBells! When filled with water, AquaBells are basically dumbbells, but without the bulk and space-consuming features that usually accompany free weights. In all other respects, AquaBells function exactly like free weights, affording the fitness trainer a variety of exercise variations for the fitness client.

 

5. Stability Balls

 

Stability Balls, or sometimes called “Exercise Balls”, “Physio Balls”, “Swiss Balls” or “Gym Balls” etc have been around for some time, and are most commonly used by physical therapists, exercises trainers and fitness coaches in a gym context. However, they are actually very portable, and can be easily deflated and carried along wherever one goes, and then inflated again in a matter of minutes with a pump when needed. This makes the Stability Ball a useful and portable device that can be used for core training, resistance-training or even aerobic training.

 

6. TRX Suspension Trainers

The latest fitness craze to hit Singapore must be TRX Suspension Training. As the name implies, the TRX Suspension Trainer is made up of a pair of elasticized straps that you fix to an overhead anchor point (eg. a bar or a doorway), and then make use of one’s own suspended body weight to perform a myriad of exercises. Not exactly a cheap piece of equipment ( it can cost well over S$300 apiece here in Singapore) the TRX Suspension Trainer is still a pretty useful and handy gadget for the fitness pro on-the-go.

In conclusion, portable fitness equipment are very useful tools for the mobile fitness professional, and even for the fitness enthusiast who needs to keep up with his/her workouts while traveling, when on-the-move, both indoors or outdoors.

With the above choices, Fitness Pros can now, in essence, “bring the gym along” with them wherever they go and live up to the following motto:

 The World Is Your Gym – Workout Anywhere/Anytime – Indoors Or Outdoors!!!

 

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.

What Singapore Fitness Professionals Can Learn From Jack LaLanne

On Sunday, January 23 2010, American Fitness Icon – Jack LaLanne  – passed away peacefully at the ripe old age of 96 after a bout of pneumonia.

Tributes to him poured in from all parts of the world in remembrance of this Great Fitness Guru who almost single-handedly revolutionized the fitness industry, and brought fitness to the masses.

Tales of his past fitness feats and wonderful personality filled the Media as America and the rest of the world struggle to come to terms with the loss of this iconic figure.

Though thousands of miles apart, many over here in Asia – particularly Singapore - felt the impact of the loss too.

As our tribute to this great Fitness Guru, we – at Singapore Fitness Professionals Network - would like to dedicate this blog post to the Father Of Fitness, and at the same time, hopefully inspire all our local personal trainers, fitness instructors, wellness coaches and other exercise instructors  to live up to the high standards set by this fitness pioneer.

As a fitness professional, Jack LaLanne embodies everything that a professional in the fitness/wellness industry should possess – and more – and these include the following:

Being A Superb Role Model

In every aspect, Jack ”walked the talk” of his fitness ideology. From his vigorous exercise routines to his strict dietary intake, Jack was a walking embodiment of what a fitness professional should be. Compare him to some of today’s so-called “fitness professionals” – who smoke, drink, party and do drugs - it’s not difficult to see why Jack is a true legend and role model in every sense of the word! 

Being A Great Communicator

Without a doubt, Jack was a superb communicator and people’s person. His effervescent and positive personality coupled with his natural charm helped him to spread the message of fitness and health effectively to the masses. Countless individuals have their lives transformed through exposure to Jack’s TV programs, books and various other products.

Being  A Creative And Innovative Fitness Practitioner

At a time when weight-training was hardly practised and even frowned upon, Jack bravely went against conventional wisdom and daringly advocated training with weights to both men and women. He was also one of the first – if not the first – to promote home fitness training through the use of simple household items like chairs and towels to get into shape. Truly a maverick and pioneer in innovative fitness training!

Being A Lifelong Learner

If there’s one person who truly deserves the award of a lifelong learner, it must be Jack. Always seeking for new ways to challenge and stimulate the human body; Jack carried his obsession with fitness education and learning all the way to his last days, never once, content to rest on his laurels. A true professional – right to the end.  

Being An Inspiration

Who can forget Jack’s great feats of strength, stamina and human endurance – including doing more than 1,000 push-ups in 23 minutes on a television show, and swimming from Alcatraz Island to Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco — handcuffed, shackled and towing a boat! Few, if any fitness professionals in the world could come within a whisker of duplicating Jack’s stupendous feats. And let’s not forget that great physique of his which he carried so well right up to his nineties. Compare that to some of the bloated, out-of-shape “fitness pros” that we see nowadays, it further reinforces how inspiring Jack’s life was.

As Jack passed on to a better world, we hope that the values, morals and example that he has left behind for us, would forever be a yard stick for Singapore fitness trainers and local exercise instructors to measure up to.

Singapore’s Worst Aerobics And Group Exercise Instructors

The large majority of Singapore aerobics instructors and group exercise instructors leading exercise-to-music classes in studios across the island are top-notch professionals - no doubt about that.

 

In fact, many of Singapore’s top group exercise instructors are competent fitness professionals who are greatly admired and appreciated by their satisfied students and clients from all ends of the island.

 

Unfortunately, as in all things, there is always a group of ‘black sheep’ that seems intent on giving the group exercise industry a BAD name.

 

The list below (albeit written tongue-in-cheek) profiles some of Singapore’s worst aerobics instructors and group exercise instructors.

 

As a Private Consumer – do make sure that no matter what you do – AVOID  joining the class/classes led by any of the following kinds of  instructors:

  

The Perpetual Screamer

 

Characteristics:

- can’t survive without screaming or yelling their heads off into the mike,

- somehow believes that everyone else is hard of hearing, except Self,

- loves hearing own voice projections through the mike,

- leaves everyone with a earache or headache by the end of the class.

   

The Sound-Blaster

 

Characteristics:

- close cousin of the ‘screamer’,

- has a knack of upping the volume of the sound system to MAXIMUM,

- addicted to the sound of LOUD music BLARING away in the background 

- somehow equates teaching ability to LOUDNESS of music,

- major cause of long-term hearing loss for unfortunate participants. 

 

The Energizer Bunny

 

Characteristics:

- full of energy; never seems to tire,

- expects ALL class participants to be of the SAME fitness level as self,

- conducts classes at ALL-OUT intensity,

- chides anyone who fails to keep up with the class tempo,

- fails to take into account new participants or those with lower fitness levels. 

 

The Regurgitator

 

Characteristics:

-  regurgitates the SAME choreography or SAME music umpteen times,  

- simply too lazy or too indifferent to source for NEW routines/music,

- convinced that participants do not mind familiarity or repetition,

- number ONE cause of class boredom for participants.  

 

The Absolute Disaster

 

Characteristics:

- CAN’T seem to remember exercise steps or choreography,

- CAN”t seem to follow musical beats,

- doesn’t know how to cue or instruct an exercise class, 

- afraid of standing in front of class,

- looks confused and lost,

- leaves participants confused and lost.

 

The Sophisticator 

 

Characteristics:

- loves to use sophisticated and complex steps in choreography,

- more concerned with ‘impressing’ people than anything else,

- self-absorbed in own ‘performance’ in front of class , 

- cannot understand why class has difficulty following the routine,

- gets irked by members who seem ‘lost’ during the routine. 

 

The Out-Of-Shape Instructor

 

Characteristics:

- often underweight/overweight/unfit,

- in worse physical condition than some class participants,

- often out-of-breath and in need of breaks while leading the class,

- in denial of own physical state.

 

Well, there you have it – the various kinds of aerobics instructors and group exercise instructors in Singapore that you should AVOID at all costs!

 

Fortunately, the number of exemplary and first-class Aerobics Instructors and Group Exercise Instructors here in Singapore still outnumber the bad hats in the industry by far.

 

To check out some of Singapore’s Finest Aerobics and Group Exercise Instructors, do visit www.SingaporeFitnessNetwork.com now. 

 

Also, if you think we have missed out on other examples or categories, or would simply like to add some of your own, please feel free to send us your comments too!

 

We look forward to hearing from each and every one of you!

 

Singapore’s Worst Personal Trainers And Fitness Instructors

In Singapore, the majority of personal trainers and fitness instructors plying their trade across the island are excellent professionals - no question about that.

 

In fact, many of our country’s top, elite fitness professionals are so good - that many are often bestowed accolades and commendations from members of the Singapore Public itself.

 

Unfortunately, there is still a minority who seems to exist merely to give the industry a BAD name.

 

The list below (albeit written tongue-in-cheek) profiles some of Singapore’s worst personal trainers and private fitness instructors.

 

Do make sure – that as a Private Consumer – no matter what you do - NEVER EVER - engage any of the following types of trainers/coaches if you value your own well-being and sanity! 

  

The Smug Know-It-All

 

Characteristics:

- thinks he/she is smarter, better & more qualified than everyone else,

- is never wrong, ALWAYS correct,

- loves to bad-mouth OTHER trainers and instructors,

- talks down to clients and makes them feel stupid & worthless.  

  

The Hardcore Sadist

 

Characteristics:

- believes only in ONE way of training – “No Pain, No Gain”.

- from the “old-school” system of hard knocks,

- takes sadistic delight in torturing clients with gut-spilling workouts,

- NEVER allows a client to rest or have a breather,

- belittles other ‘softer’ fitness disciplines such as Yoga, Pilates & Aerobics,

- uses only Free Weights – barbells, dumbbells and kettlebells – in training,

- scoffs at ”wimpy” training routines that use bands, machines or gym balls. 

 

The Lazy Duplicator

 

Characteristics:

- loves repeating/duplicating the SAME fitness routines over & over again,

- simply too LAZY/can’t be bothered – to design new routines for clients,

- justifies duplication by telling clients that they are “not ready to move on yet ” or they “have to master the basics first”  etc ….

- loves to gloat and boast at how “EASY” a trainer’s life is.

 

The Wide-Mouth Gossip

 

Characteristics:

- overly sociable creature,

- loves talking, chatting and gossiping more than anything else,

- spends MORE time TALKING than actually training his/her clients,

- loves to share juicy gossips about OTHER clients or OTHER trainers,

- feels miserable if not given a chance to talk.

 

The “Thunder” Motor-Mouth

 

Characteristics:

- close relative of the Gossip,

- loves to draw attention to himself/herself,

- NEVER stops talking or shouting commands,

- loves to speak REALLY loud ALL the time to draw focus on self,

- likes to be seen as THE Leader or Authority in the gym,

- no qualms splattering others with his/her salivary projections.

 

The Self-Indulgent Vain-Pot

 

Characteristics:

- more interested in own physical appearance than anything else,

- constantly checking oneself in the gym or studio mirror,

- client’s training is secondary to his/her pruning and preening,

- believes that he/she - is the Centre Of Attraction at all times,

- feels that the client is merely an ”accessory” to accentuate self. 

 

The Out-Of-Shape Trainer

 

Characteristics:

- often underweight/overweight

- perpetually in a pathetic state of physical condition,

- usually hides poor condition in loose-fitting top and baggy track pants,

- rationalizes poor physical condition with the classic excuse: “I’m simply too busy with my clients to work on my own body.“

- afraid to demonstrate any exercise or workout,

- passively stands-by, or better still, sits at a corner while ‘coaching’  clients,

- gets highly agitated in the presence of better-shaped contemporaries. 

 

The Feely-Touchy

 

- extremely creepy personality,

- often likes to place hands on clients’ bums, abs, lower back, thighs etc, 

- rationalizes the need for touching clients with the phrases:  ” to help you FEEL the movement better” OR “to help you get in TOUCH with the working muscles“. 

- has only ONE aim of joining the fitness/wellness industry: to get in-touch – literally with other people’s bodies!

 

The ”Blur” King/Queen

 

Characteristics:

- wears a lost or ‘blur’ look on the face perpetually,

- glances around furtively all the time,

- always looks unsure of what to do in the gym,

- can’t tell the difference between a ‘cable row’ and a ’rowing machine’,

- whispers, stammers or stutters in front of clients,

- extremely shy and insecure.

 

The Confused Trend-Follower

 

Characteristics:

- blind follower of the latest fitness trends and fads,

- integrates new fads into training approaches unthinkingly & randomly,

- follows latest trends for the sake of appearing ‘up-to-date’ and relevant,

- often jumps from one approach to the other - with NO scientific basis: one moment has the client balancing on a bosu ball, the next moment has the client suspended from ropes, and the next juggling kettlebells…..etc etc.

 

The Sneaky Salesperson

 

Characteristics:

- a natural-born sales and marketing whiz,

- sees personal training or fitness coaching as a mere SIDE-LINE,

- MAIN agenda is to promote and sell health/fitness products,

- never a day goes by without any subtle or overt SELLING,

- peddles stuff from weight-gain powders to weight-loss pills, from gym gloves to energy drinks etc ….

- gets very annoyed when clients resist his/her selling efforts,

- always thinks in dollars and cents.

  

Well, there you have it – the different types of personal trainers and fitness instructors in Singapore that you – the Fitness Public - would be wise to AVOID at all costs!

 

Thankfully, the number of top-notch and exceptional Personal Trainers and Fitness Instructors here in Singapore still outnumber the bad hats in the industry.

 

To check out some of Singapore’s Finest Fitness Professionals, do visit www.SingaporeFitnessNetwork.com now. 

 

Also, if you think we have missed out on other examples or categories of BAD fitness professionals, or would like to add your own category of ‘Bad’ trainers here, please feel free to send us your comments!

 

We would LOVE to add your contributions here too!

Qualities To Look For In A Singapore Home Fitness Provider

Regardless of the type of home fitness services that you’re looking for - whether it’s Pilates, Yoga, Personal Fitness Training or one of the myriad of fitness services available here in Singapore – the following holds true when it comes to selecting an appropriate fitness service provider that meets your needs:

1. PASSION

Your home fitness service provider should be someone passionately in love with the vocation that he/she is involved in. You want somebody who gets excited and enthused just talking about what he/she does for a living. On the other hand, you definitely do NOT need someone who is jaded and cynical about his/her profession, the industry and anything else related to it.

As you converse with your potential service provider, try to gauge  the level of enthusiasm, devotion and passion that this person exudes in relation to his/her cause. The HIGHER these levels, the BETTER!

2. KNOWLEDGE

Your in-home service provider should not only have an intimate and extensive  knowledge of the fitness service that he/she is rendering, but also everything else related to it. This includes : knowing the best way to go about customizing the workout according to your environment,  to your personal likes/dislikes as well as other constraints that you  – as a consumer – may have.

It is always a good idea to do some homework on the service you require - prior to meeting up with your in-home fitness provider for the first time  – so that you have a ready list of questions, queries and scenarios to present to the provider.

And based on the provider’s replies to you, you would have a much better understanding of his/her level of knowledge, professionalism and competence.  

3. QUALIFICATIONS

Your in-home fitness service provider MUST be suitably qualified to coach you in that particular fitness discipline – no two ways about it. In other words, if what you’re looking for is Pilates coaching, then you provider MUST be a trained and qualified Pilates Teacher – no question about that. Similarly, if what you require is a regular program of deep-tissue sports massage, then your provider MUST be a certified Sports Massage Therapist – again, no exceptions allowed.

 As a consumer, you have every right to ask for PROOF that your home fitness provider is who he/she claims to be. Don’t feel bad asking your provider to provide physical copies of certifications and qualifications for you to peruse.

The following List Of Fitness Certifications And Qualifications would give you a good idea on what to look out for when assessing the qualifications of your fitness provider.

4. COMMUNICATION

Besides having passion for his/her vocation, your in-home fitness service provider should also be someone who is able to Teach, Communicate and Motivate. As a paying consumer, you are entitled to a professional who is able to teach you the right fundamentals related to your particular fitness field  - clearly and patiently, communicate with you effectively, and most of all, inspire and motivate you to reach your fitness goals.

Once you have found a service provider with these positive personality traits, together with all the above requirements met, the you have greatly increased your own chances of success in your fitness pursuit.

Challenges Facing The Singapore Fitness Industry And Profession

The Singapore Fitness Industry and Wellness Profession has seen remarkable changes in the past ten years or so.

From a state of infancy and initial growth, the industry has since morphed into a vibrant sector of the Singapore economy, providing job openings for personal trainers, fitness coaches, group exercise instructors etc, as well as providing crucial services to the Public Consumer.

At the same time, this unprecedented expansion of the fitness sector has also given rise to a number of challenges facing the industry today:

1. Explosion In Trainer Numbers

The explosion and influx of personnel into the Singapore Fitness and Wellness Industry in recent years has been nothing short of phenomenal.

From the viewpoint of the Public Consumer, this may a good thing in terms of price competitiveness and market choices, but to the Private Fitness Facility Owner or even the Freelance Fitness Instructor/Coach, the perception is that the size of his/her pie has dramatically reduced.

Although one can argue that the huge increase in demand for fitness and wellness services across the nation can more than offset the increase in trainer population, the truth is in fact more insidious: the exponential rise in the number of trainers and instructors across all vocations has simply outstripped the current demand!

As a result, internal competition within the industry has intensified, leading to a situation where only those who are able to add value to their services, optimize their market exposure, and stand out from the crowd - are thereby poised to capture the lion’s share of the market. 

2. Change In Employment Profile Of Trainers

Where – once upon a time – trainers and instructors in the Singapore Fitness/Wellness Industry were mostly salaried employees of fitness and health chains, today, the Successful Fitness/Wellness Professional is usually one who has ditched his/her employee status in favour of a being a Private, Independent or Self-Employed Coach.

In a way, it makes absolute sense to many fitness/wellness professionals to be their own BOSS as the benefits far exceed that of being a mere employee. From increased social status, to higher paychecks, to greater personal and professional freedom, the lure of self-employment has resulted in a massive outflow of many otherwise capable and talented individuals from the commercial establishments to private enterprises.

Correspondingly, and worryingly, many commercial fitness facilities are now left with the ‘dregs’ – trainers and instructors of a lower calibre and lesser talent – as unsurprisingly, the better, more capable  and more ambitious ones have all but ’jumped ship’ to run their very own private fitness enterprises!

The fitness landscape in Singapore is thus being rapidly transformed into one where it might actually make more sense for a client to engage the services of a Private/Independent Trainer or Instructor - for the sake of trainer quality and coaching excellence – instead of joining a commercial facility and be trained by second- or even third-tier trainers. 

3. Increase In Client Sophistication

With higher education, wider media exposure, and increased fitness knowledge and savviness, consumers and clients nowadays are more sophisticated and particular in their fitness demands and expectations.

Unlike the past, where most people would have no qualms engaging a trainer or coach with just a ‘General’ fitness educational background, clients are now more likely to seek out someone who is trained in a specialised fitness field or vocation to meet their needs. These specialty fields could involve anything from corrective exercise to post-injury rehabilitation to older adults fitness to functional therapy and more. 

As such, to continue staying on top of things,  fitness/wellness professionals should make it a point to specialize in certain specialty fields, as well as keep their ears continually to the ground in order to keep tabs on other emerging trends in the fitness realm.

4. The Internet Conundrum

With the meteoric rise of the Internet, and the number of users relying solely on the World Wide Web for information and data, it takes a foolhardy fitness/wellness professional to ignore the impact of this technological phenomenon.

However, to date, many fitness professionals have yet  to take full advantage of this tool to enhance their business; and the few who have tried, simply lack the technical expertise and relevant knowledge to position themselves optimally on the Web.

With no signs of the Internet Wave abating, savvy fitness/wellness professionals who wish to dominate the industry would do well to educate themselves as much as possible on this Public Platform in order to be connected to the large majority of consumers who are currently plugged into the Internet.

As such, picking up specialized internet marketing strategies and techniques, and collaborating with Local Online Fitness Directories & Guides, is no longer an option but a necessity for business success in the fitness industry.

With all these challenges facing the Singapore Fitness Profession, success seems destined only for those who are able to take positive action to adapt themselves to the challenges, rise above them, and ultimately, ride them out to their advantage.

More Myths On The Singapore Fitness Profession

The last time we shared our take on the myths and misconceptions surrounding the Singapore Fitness Industry and its professionals, we inadvertently seemed to have opened Pandora’s Box…..

We are both surprised and heartened by the amount of feedback we garnered – the majority of which are supportive and appreciative of our stance on the subject; though a few are simply quite amused by our tackling of what they deemed was a ‘sensitive’ or controversial subject!

Nevertheless, we seemed to have got ourselves quite a few ‘fans’, and more importantly, new materials and an emboldened impetus to write on!

As such, we would like to dedicate this follow-up article as a tribute to all our readers – many of whom are themselves trainers, coaches and instructors in the Singapore Fitness Industry – for contributing their ideas, materials and feedback to a topic so dear to all our hearts.

Myth 5: A Singapore Fitness Trainer Or Coach Is Only As Good As He/She Looks.

FACT: Like everyone else on Planet Earth, Singapore fitness trainers, instructors and coaches come in all shapes and sizes. Very often, their physical appearances are closely related to their choice of fitness vocations, to the type of sporting or physical activities they pursue, and even to some degree, their own genetics! 

The important thing is: NOT every fitness professional is going to look like a Professional Fitness Model or a Competitive Bodybuilder fresh off a photo shoot with professionally styled hairdo, gleaming white teeth, radiant tanned skin and a rock-hard, 3%-body-fat physique! 

And as a matter of fact, we, at Singapore Fitness Professionals Network , would like to state categorically that how a trainer, coach or instructor looks, has absolutely ZERO bearing on his/her ability to coach!

To illustrate our point, consider this: a trainer with a buffed, ultra-ripped, Hollywood-type physique may turn out to be a less than desirable trainer with questionable coaching techniques, poor communication skills or even morally defective personality traits!!! Conversely, another trainer with a less “eye-catching” physique, may in fact be a fantastic teacher, a great motivator and a tip-top role model! 

Thus, as the adage goes - NEVER Judge A Book By Its Cover! As long as a fitness professional projects an active, fit and healthy image - doing justice to his/her professional credibility - anything else is just plain Eye-Candy!

Myth 6: A Singapore Fitness Professional Who Has Won Accolades Like “National Champion”, “World Champion”  Etc Is Superior To Those Without.

FACT: Like the earlier myth, there is an unfortunate and skewed belief in Singapore that a fitness professional who has worn numerous “titles” throughout his/her career is far superior to one that hasn’t.

The truth is: Winning titles for oneself is one thing, but having the theoretical, practical and methodological know-how and ability to coach another person effectively and efficiently is another thing!!

Without taking anything away from many of our worthy champions and winners, the fact is this: in the fitness industry, both in Singapore and abroad, there are indeed trainers who are great (and interested only) in tuning their OWN BODIES into shape; but have absolutely NO CLUE on how to design a training program to help OTHERS get into shape!

On the other hand, there are many TOP, ELITE trainers in Singapore and around the world who have absolutely ZERO interest in competing - often preferring to work BEHIND THE SCENES – to support, nurture and train the actual competitors and athletes themselves. For these professionals, their focus is on Coaching and Teaching; NOT in competing in sporting contests or physique competitions for self-glorification or self-promotion purposes! As such, these trainers and coaches - though not holders of titles themselves – are in fact often the ones with the most diverse knowledge and the most hands-on experience,  having had the advantage of working with diverse pools of clients throughout their careers.

Hence, we, as part of Singapore’s Professional Fitness Body, would again like to reiterate our belief that the number of “titles” a trainer, coach or instructor holds, has absolutely NO bearing on his/her ability to coach!

Myth 7: Singapore Fitness Professionals Are Inferior To Foreign-Trained Coaches And Instructors!

FACT: Without a doubt, the fitness/wellness industry in Singapore is less mature and developed compared to that of the West; considering the fact that it was only in the recent past decade or so that things really took off from the ground.

However, to say that our Singapore Fitness Professionals are INFERIOR to their foreign counterparts are wide off the mark, and smacks of disrespect and ignorance. Critics of our local trainers, coaches and instructors often FAIL to realize that many of our fitness professionals today undergo the SAME certifying processes from the SAME certifying organizations that award the very SAME qualifications or certifications as those awarded to our foreign counterparts!!!

This phenomenon is entirely possible today due to globalization and accreditation – which has facilitated the flow of personnel and information across countries and borders - making  it convenient and possible for anyone, regardless where he/she is located, to pursue the relevant qualifications or certifications needed to start a career in the fitness/wellness industry! 

And since the majority of Singapore Fitness Professionals are also subjected to the same certifying protocols, standards and checks as those of their foreign counterparts, there is absolutely NO cause to believe that our local trainers or coaches are in any way inferior to foreign-trained ones!

Myth 8: The More Certifications A Singapore Fitness Professional Has, The Better He/She Is As A Trainer, Coach Or Instructor!

FACT: Like many things in life, it is the QUALITY and NOT the QUANTITY of a fitness professional’s certifications that counts. Especially in an age where one can practically pay about S$100 or so to download a 30-page PDF “study manual” and sit for a 20-question MCQ  “online certifying exam” and then call oneself  ”Certified” at the end of it all – all remarkably within the same day!

As such, the quality and reputation of a fitness/wellness certification has become more important than ever today. Although, a certification is no more than a tool to authenticate and legitimize a fitness professional’s mastery of a particular fitness skill,  it should always still adhere to professionally acceptable standards and protocols in order to have any worth, validity or credibility in the eyes of the public.

 As a rule of thumb, reputable and recognized certifications are usually: 1) administered by a board of independent fitness experts made up of sports/exercise scientists and other prominent academics in the field of fitness/wellness,  2) requires intensive and extensive study of the requisite subject matter,  3) culminates in a professional examination consisting of BOTH theoretical and practical components, and 4) recognized nationally/internationally by the respective government bodies. 

If, and ONLY if, a fitness/wellness professional could attain certifications which match ALL the above criteria, then, and ONLY then, could he/she be deemed to possess a greater or more in-depth body of knowledge of that particular skill compared to another. Other than that, it is always better to hire a trainer/coach with perhaps only 1 or 2 SOLID, REPUTABLE and RECOGNIZED certifications, rather than one with over-30 half-baked, suspect, scammy or phony qualifications which practically translate to ZERO advantage - in the field of fitness/wellness knowledge. 

Well, there you have it – our sequel to the much-discussed topic on the myths and misconceptions surrounding the Singapore Fitness Industry and Fitness/Wellness Profession.

We hope you like it and do feel free again to share with us your views, feedback or even criticisms on the above.