The KYDRA Club
Time to Level Up: The Most Challenging Fitness Classes in Singapore
Picking up a new sport or workout is always the most fun in the beginning. It’s exciting to learn something new, and not to mention, very fulfilling to feel your body getting stronger and fitter over time. But with fixed exercise routines, one thing is certain: the ‘honeymoon’ phase will end and your progress will eventually reach a point of stagnation.
So how do you break through a workout plateau?
By changing up your routine, of course. We’re not saying you must look for a completely new sport to try. Instead, if you’ve already identified a workout you enjoy best, consider exploring more advanced gym classes or variations of these sports. By progressively ‘leveling up’ the difficulty, you can safely push your limits and keep the progress going!
From yoga to spin, boxing and HIIT, here are 8 of the toughest fitness classes in Singapore to check out.
1. Ashtanga Yoga
Yoga is one of the most popular workouts among women in Singapore. It builds strength, fitness and flexibility, and with over 100 yoga studios in town, is extremely accessible even for the busiest of us.
Most beginners start out with the basic or Hatha yoga, which is slower paced and incorporates basic postures and breathing techniques.
If you’re ready to take things further up a notch, try Ashtanga yoga. Ashtanga is a structured and more advanced type of Vinyasa yoga, following a fixed sequence of poses (or ‘asanas’) that are more physically demanding and require a higher level of fitness and flexibility.
Some yoga studios that offer Ashtanga yoga classes include Hom Yoga and Pure Yoga.
2. Aerial Yoga
Another challenging variation of basic yoga is aerial yoga, which literally turns your practice upside down! In aerial yoga, you’ll practice the same poses in your regular yoga classes, except with a hanging silk hammock.
These classes are great for those who want to reduce the impact on their joints, because the main benefit of the hammock is that it assists you in executing more challenging inversions by taking away the pressure on your neck, shoulders and spine. The catch is that you’ll need extra core strength and flexibility! You can try aerial yoga at Yoga Mala, FlyWith Fitness, Jal Yoga and more.
If you just like being upside-down, you can also consider yoga classes that specifically focus on arm balances and inversions.
3. Reformer Pilates
Pilates is another popular mat exercise that helps build strength and flexibility, while focusing on balance and muscle control.
Basic Pilates classes only require you and your mat, but for a more demanding practice, try Pilates with a reformer.
Reformer Pilates is done with what is known as a reformer machine, which has springs to add resistance to your exercises. With a reformer, you can practice more challenging variations of your usual exercises and conquer new ones too! Another benefit is that while mat Pilates mainly trains your core, reformer Pilates conditions your entire body, promising for a higher-intensity, more dynamic workout.
Not all Pilates studios are equipped with reformer machines. A few that do include Focus Movement, Upside Motion and Off-Duty Pilates.
4. Barre Classes
Barre is inspired by yoga and Pilates, but with a bit of ballet added into the mix.
Instead of pure floor work and mat practice, barre classes feature the use of—you guessed it—a barre to help you get a full body workout.
Some classes also use resistance bands and in more advanced levels, body weights, to up the ante. Certain studios like WeBarre, Barre 2 Barre and Barre Lab also incorporate cardio or high intensity interval training (HIIT) for a greater burn. Barre classes are designed to condition your entire body while keeping your muscles lean—perfect if you’ve been envying that ballerina body.
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5. F45 High Intensity Interval Training
Not so into body conditioning and more of a cardio junkie? HIIT's probably for you. These exercises alternate super high-intensity bursts of cardio exercise with regular periods of rest in between. HIIT classes are grueling as it is, but if you want to push yourself even more, you can sign up for ‘specialty’ HIIT classes.
If you're up for the challenge, join the F45 community at their specialty gyms! Originating in Australia, F45 stands for ‘functional training’ and lasts for 45 minutes, combining circuit training with HIIT. There are different F45 workouts to choose from, depending on your fitness goals, whether it is to burn fat or push your cardio threshold.
For a challenging session with a twist, try the 60-minute Hollywood F45 class, which features fun music and tough workouts to really get your heart pumping.
6. Garage Circuit HIIT
Yet another HIIT-based gym is Garage Circuit. Their classes are designed around four pillars: strength, endurance, stamina, and stability. There are six classes which each focus on different core areas. If you’re new to the programme, it is recommended that you start with Garage Circuit to train your stamina, and then Strength 360 to build strength.
After you’ve mastered those and have a good foundation, you can try the most challenging one, GarageCircuit Elite! These classes are designed specifically to tackle workout stagnation, incorporating functional movements that will “improve lactate threshold and performance”.
7. TKO Aqua Boxing @ Box Office Fitness
Professional boxers typically use sand-filled punching bags, but unless you’re a competitive boxer, it’s unlikely that you’ll need such heavy-duty equipment. These days, many local boxing studios offer more accessible, non-combative classes using water-filled punching bags, designed for the masses.
Aqua boxing is easier on your muscles and joints, while still promising a solid workout for your entire body.
If you’ve been boxing for a while and think it’s time to level up, consider taking a more advanced class.
Box Office Fitness, a popular boxing studio in Singapore, offers their classic 45 minute long Knockout class for both newbies and experienced boxers. For a big challenge, go for the TKO class. It is 60 minutes long, and the workout rounds are longer, requiring significantly more endurance and strength. You’ve been warned!
8. Aqua Biking at Aquaspin
We’ve all heard of spin, but have you heard of aqua biking? As its name suggests, aqua biking involves cycling underwater to change things up. Not only is it fun, but it is also particularly suitable for those with joint injuries as staying underwater keeps the workout effective yet low-impact.
There are three aqua biking classes at Aquaspin: Aquaspin Signature is a HIIT class that works your arms, legs and abs. Aqua Endure focuses on building stamina. Finally, for those who really want to feel the burn, there’s Aqua Power, which combines cardio with strength training, utilising not just the aqua bikes, but resistance bands and aqua strength equipment as well!
Gear Up for Your Next Adventure
As you begin higher intensity workouts, you’ll want to make sure you’re kitted with the right activewear. Unleash your true potential with Kydra gear that’ll keep you supported during every wear, through thick and thin.
We have a wide range of quality sports bras for every form and function. Opt for any of our regular sports bras, or for higher impact sports, try our midline range for more support. For bottoms, we recommend the Kora Leggings, which is made with a sweat-wicking and antibacterial fabric that features a compressive fit and passes even the toughest of squat variations.
Now go forth and conquer—your next workout adventure awaits!
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