10 Extreme Exercises in Singaporea

• Hate running so much that you’d rather endure through a Twilight movie marathon than take your 2.4? Check.
• Always postponing your gym sessions due to inexplicably high inertia? Check.
• Put off by the thought of working out because you’re already drowning in work? Check.
• Can’t stop eyeing those #fitspo shots of your gym-going friend and her new abs? Check.

You’re not alone! You, me, and probably a zillion others are prone to such sloth. Sure, workouts are satisfying, but who wants to spend every day on a treadmill when we’re already running in a rat race?

Fear not – this list of insane sports is specially tailored for bums like you and me! Here are 10 lesser-known, unorthodox sports in Singapore that are much more entertaining and way less draining than squats, burpies or windshield wipers.

Bid goodbye to old-fashioned gym workouts, and say hello to a #fitspired you!

1. Quidditch

Credits: TNP.sg. Get your mind out of the gutter.

So the spellbinding Harry Potter franchise ended its global domination a few years ago following the release of the final book. However, the Potter legacy lives on the hearts of wizard wannabes instead of going evanesco – the vanishing spell in HP, for all you non-readers.

As quickly as you can mutter Wingardium Leviosa, students from NUS haved started their own rendition of Wizardry Quidditch. Instead of flying around to capture the elusive Golden Snitch, their version requires players to run around a field with a broomstick between their legs in an attempt to shoot a volleyball through a hoop. Bring on those thigh muscles!

Here’s an introduction to Muggle Quidditch:

2. Land Paddling

Credits: Land Paddle Singapore

Meet SUP’s sibling sport. I was pretty amazed to discover the existence of Land Paddling right here in Singapore!

It’s basically the same thing as SUP, except you’re on land instead of water. Instead of a surfboard, you use a skateboard – and your “paddle” is actually a Kahuna Big Stick with a rubber base attached to absorb shock and increase friction.

You might attract stares from disbelieving passers-by, but don’t worry. They’re probably jealous of the kick you’re getting. 

Website: Land Paddle Singapore

3. Slacklining

Slacklining is a side sport for the climbing community – practitioners slackline to hone their balancing skills, which is an important aspect of climbing.

As its name suggests, the sport involves balancing and doing tricks on a rope, or slackline, that is neither too taut nor slack. I thought it sounded pretty simple, but even after a 2 hour course with Elephant Slacklines, most of us only managed a few pathetic steps! My leg muscles were surprisingly sore the next day. Mission accomplished!

Because the video of me is too pathetic, here are some jaw-dropping moves by actual professionals.

Website: Elephant Slacklines SG
Fees: $100/instructor/hour

4. Rock Climbing

Rock climbing is the least crazy on this list and its worth a mention as it has been gaining popularity in Singapore. The latest installation takes the form of a gleaming new climbing gym at the $1.3 billion Singapore Sports Hub.

The fanfare from Singaporeans comes as no surprise. Rock climbing is one of the rarer sports that tones your entire body. Due to the nature of the sport, everyone of different physique – short, tall, fat, skinny -begins on a relatively equal platform. That’s why yours truly decided to pick up competitive rock climbing 5 years ago.

To the masses, top-rope climbing is the most widely-known form of the sport – scaling a 15m wall with the use of ropes and harnesses. Unknown to many, there are many other types of climbing that can be done in Singapore, such as bouldering – shown above – which caters to the acrophobic as the walls are only 1-1.5 storeys high. 

Website: Climb-Asia.com
Address: 60 Tessensohn Road, Singapore 217664
Entrance Fee: $14 
Gear Rental: $1-$8 

5. Stand-Up Paddling (SUP)

Welcome to the world of SUP, where Sun, Surf, and Sand takes on a whole new meaning.

Originally featured in our list of 52 Things to do in Singapore, SUP is actually the most ancient form of water transportation, and was recently revived in the 2000s. It has gradually spread to our sunny little island, where it is now more commonly known as a recreational sport.

To SUP, all you need is a surfboard and a paddle. Once the waves hit, ride it and paddle away! It sounds easy, but just trying to ride the waves while balancing on your surfboard actually requires some mastery.

Website: SUP School.sg
Address: Tanjong Beach, Sentosa
Fee: $60-$80/hr inclusive of SUP Boards.

6. AMPed Trampoline Park

Channel your self-destructive tendencies and backflip your way to a fitter you!

Touted as the first of its kind in Asia, AMPED Trampoline Park was constructed with the sole motivation of amalgamating fun and fitness. Master the art of double tucking and triple piking, while your adrenaline spikes with the help of 5,000 square feet of interconnected trampolines, foam pit, and parkour parks.

10 minutes on the trampoline is equivalent to a 30-minute run. Why would anyone choose the path of nondescript exercise when they could bounce their way to fitness in a third of the time?

Website: AMPED Singapore
Address: 369 Tanjong Katong Road, Singapore 437126 / Yo:ha, 200 Jurong East Avenue 1, Singapore 609789
Entrance Fee: $9-$15/hr 

7. Horse Riding

I forgive you for appearing gobsmacked upon seeing horse-riding in this list. Doesn’t horse-riding consist merely of sitting on a horse?

You couldn’t be further from the truth. Horse riding benefits your cardiovascular system and conditions your muscles. As you struggle to position your body in sync with your horse’s movements and to avoid going off-balance, different muscles – such your thighs – are constantly being conditioned.

An hour of intense horse-riding can burn calories equivalent to a 30-minute jog. Factoring in the therapeutic benefits attributed to horse-riding, this sounds like a pretty good alternative to gym workouts. 

Website: STC-Riding Centre.com
Address: Singapore Turf Club Riding Centre, 1 Equestrian Walk, Singapore 737863
Fees: Beginner’s Package (7 Sessions) – $50-$70/session

8. Cable Ski

Credits: Wakeboard SG

Cable-skiing, or cable wakeboarding, is basically waterskiing or wakeboarding with a cable system. At Singapore’s dedicated cable ski park SKI360, located at East Coast Park, up to eight people can ski at the same time.

Professionals can be seen zipping around the lagoon, performing sick tricks and attempting 180-and 360-degree jumps with obstacles such as funboxes and wallrides. If you’re an amateur, fret not. Instructors are on standby to give you pointers and guide you along the way.

Website: Ski360degree.com
Address: 1206A East Coast Parkway, 449891
Fees: $38-$50/hr

9. Zumba

Zumba’s been making waves in Singapore over the past two years. I had my first taste of Zumba earlier this year and boy, that was a workout!

Latin, hip-hop, martial arts and belly-dance moves are rojak-ed together to create dance pieces accompanied by chart-topping hits like Zedd’s Clarity. I don’t want to get shot for this, but I honestly felt like Zumba was akin to clubbing – albeit with more exaggerated movements and ten times more perspiration. It’s certainly not like being packed like sardines on Wednesday nights at Zouk.

Vertia Wellness is one of those wellness centres in Singapore that provides everything from spas and ion treatments to classes like Zumba.

Website: Vertia Wellness
Address: 308 Tanglin Road, Phoenix Park, Singapore 247974

10. Yogilates

Credits: AmeliaChen.com

While Pilates creates core strength and focuses  more on physical and body-sculpting techniques, Yoga improves your posture, flexibility, and overall well-being.

Put them together, and you get Yogilates.  A typical Yogilates class consists of a warm-up Pilates exercise before progressing to a series of Yoga poses once the body has been stimulated. This allows for safer and more effective practice of Yoga moves, and the best of both worlds as you engage in exercise and relaxation!

Website: Wufangsingapore

A fun path to a fitter you!

Couch potatoes and health nuts alike will love these thrilling activities – who needs to hit the gym when you have these fun ways to get fit?

Know of any other cool sports or exercises? Unleash your inner daredevil and let us know in the comments!