By Cheah Ui-Hoon

MANAGEMENT executive Juliana Ong, in her 30s, was already attending bootcamp classes three to four times a week, but keen to get more out of her fitness regime, and continue to lose weight, she's signed up for Power Plate classes.

'I've only tried it once so far, but I think it's quite good. my friends and I were looking for another form of physical activity to add to our bootcamp session, and it seems that this technology is serving our needs and will push us more. We didn't want another normal aerobics class,' she says.

Does aerobics still exist, one wonders. Fitness awareness in Singapore has been raised so much in Singapore that it's hard to find a gym these days without some smart form of technology in them.

New methods of exercise, a lot of them machine-based, are definitely shaping the gym set-up these days, such as the Power Plate. Gyms such as Verve may have started with one or two Power Plate machines to supplement its conventional gym equipment, but the machine is revolutionising the exercise arena so much that there are now a couple of dedicated Power Plate gyms on the island. besides one in Dempsey, there's also one in the East now, with another slated to open at Boat Quay.

'what we found is that it's difficult to educate the public about these machines so it's easier to set up a gym and let the people try it out themselves to see how it works,' says Tay Koon Hua, director of Power Work Studio at Joo Chiat.

Mr Tay says that being a sporty person himself, he had been pumped up to go to the conventional gym in his younger days, 'but not as I got older. but with the Power Plate, the sessions are short, you don't feel the pain, and yet get the same results,' he notes. Among their clients are senior citizens above 60, then the majority are 20 to 40 years old.

Exercisers are advised to train twice a week, but no more than three – like weight training. even slimming studios are getting into the action, but with a studio like PowerSlim, the focus is on slimming, while you work out. hence the use of machines from Poland that incorporate infrared light and ionised air, while exercisers step on the elliptical machine. The idea is to get more output for your input, says director Teresa Sobczyk, and get some cosmetic benefits as well such as better skin.

But technology alone won't produce desired results, points out Rizam Arsad, a veteran personal trainer who's the managing director of Energia Fitness Studio. which is why the gym uses newer programmes like pylometrics and kettlebell which aren't high-tech, but based on new principles of training.

'The gym goer today is more sophisticated and more aware of the benefits of personal training. they do their research first before engaging a private trainer and this could be for various reasons from rehabilitation therapy to sports conditioning to body conditioning,' he notes. 'The experience of the trainers play a major role.'

The one-on-one personalised training offered at Energia Fitness Studio fulfils the need for a results-oriented niche market, he adds. 'at the end of the day, it is the experience of our personal trainers who can help our clients achieve their goals,' he adds.

Meanwhile, the newest gym in town which opened just last week, Pure Fitness, is also using the latest available technology to stake its claim in the fitness market. The Hong Kong-based lifestyle company which extended its Pure Yoga service here four years ago, saw a gap in the market it could fill, says Colin Grant, Pure's CEO. despite the number of gyms and specialised activities centres like martial arts schools already.

'The time was right, the demand is there, and we found a perfect space – to launch our gym business,' he notes, over a telephone interview. 'We're bringing something different to the table which will make us successful in Singapore we think, as has been proven in Hong Kong,' he says.

Pure Fitness' design, facilities and service in its 15,000 square foot space is what sets it apart – such as the fact that the Singapore gym is the first in Asia to have the Polar cardio system, an over US$25,000 investment. Pure Fitness is also capitalising on technology, such as imbedding member cards into mobile phones, and providing mobile apps members can use to book their classes. The membership card's functions include keeping track of your attendance and goals as well. Nothing like using the latest tech tools to make sure you keep on your fitness track!

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