Health & Beauty Guide for Expats in Singapore
In a bid to become a sports hub, the Singapore government has recently developed an extensive network of sports, facilities around the island. With the 2010 Youth Olympic Games looming, these facilities will only get better and more numerous. Sports organizations and facilities are regulated and advised by the Singapore Sports Council (SSC), the official sports governing body in Singapore. For a booking of facilities operated by the SSC, refer to the official SSC website.
Private Fitness Centers
While many people use the gyms available at condominium complexes or at social clubs, there are also a number of internationally renowned private fitness centers to choose from.
- California Fitness: One of the world’s leading health and fitness clubs, their mission is to help people live better through fitness. They have enlisted Jackie Chan as their endorsing celebrity, and they boast large gyms with modern equipment and extensive fitness classes. California Fitness currently has four outlets in Singapore at Novena, on Orchard Road, in Raffles Place in the CBD, and at Bugis.
- True Fitness: A close competitor to California Fitness in Singapore, this fitness club offering large gyms, personal training, and group fitness classes, boasts a total of six outlets in Singapore at Great World City, VivoCity, SunTec City, Parkway Parade, Chevron House in the CBD, and China Square.
- Fitness First: The largest luxury health fitness club in Singapore with nine outlets, Fitness First also has an extensive global network, including over 140 clubs in Asia alone.
- Pure Fitness: Pure has two gyms, offers premium facilities and have some of the best international instructors in Singapore.
- Virgin Active: Singapore’s newest addition to the gym scene, Virgin Active is one of the biggest gyms in Singapore with 33,000 square feet of workout space and studios.
Golf /Country Clubs
Golf is bountiful, but very expensive in Singapore. While its popularity is increasing, high costs limit participation to the well heeled. Most golf courses in Singapore have a dress code (collared shirts with trousers or short pants and golf shoes are required). Caddies or golf carts are usually available, and the courses are usually equipped with locker rooms and showers, as well as entertainment outlets, cafes and restaurants. Reservations are highly recommended at all courses.
- Green Fairways: One of the only truly public courses available, this course is popular for its central location on Bukit Timah Road and more affordable prices; 9 holes, Fairways Drive (off Eng Neo Avenue), Tel: (65) 468 7233
- Changi Golf Club: Set amidst natural and man-made obstacles and featuring tight Bermuda fairways; 9 holes. 20 Netheravon Road, Changi.
- Jurong Country Club: Recently renovated by Max Wexler, the front nine offers plays through wooded and hilly terrain whereas the back nine has open, beautifully landscaped fairways. Flood-lighted night golfing is available; 19 holes. 9 Science Centre Road, Jurong.
- Keppel Club: Founded in 1904 and redesigned by Ronald Fream of Golfplan, it now offers challenging play and features a 24 bay driving range; 18 holes. 10 Bukit Chermin Road, Telok Blangah.
- Laguna National Golf and Country Club: Water hazards, greens and sand traps shored up with railroads ties and beautiful landscaping. The Masters Course is similar to the Scottish links-style course and is challenging at every tee. The Classic Course has a choice of 5 tees, less undulations, and fewer water hazards; two 18-hole courses. 11 Laguna Golf Green, Changi.
- Orchid Country Club: Offering views of lush hills and Sungei Seletar reservoir, this course designed by President Ong Ten Cheong features the 9th hole on the Aranda course, an uphill par 5 with an orchid-shaped bunker; three 9-hole courses. 1 Orchard Club Road, Yishun.
- Raffles Country Club: Both courses were designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr. The gently rolling Lake Course lies along the Tengah Reservoir and is bordered by marshes, whereas the Palm Course offers lakes and undulating fairways, bordered by small wooded hills; two 18-hole courses. 450 Jalan Ahmad Ibrahim, Jurong.
- Seletar Base Golf Club: Previously a golf club for the British Armed Forces it is now open to the public and offers a nine-hole course, chip-and-putt course as well as a swimming pool, tennis and squash court. 244 Oxford Street, Seletar.
- Sentosa Golf Club: Max Wexler is remodeling the Tanjong course. The Serapong was designed by Ronald Fream. Visitors are welcome on weekdays; two 18-hole courses.
- Singapore Island Country Club: The Bukit and New Course are private. The Island Course can be quite stressful as it winds around the reservoir; four 18-holes courses. Nr MacRichie and Pierce Reservoirs.
- Tanah Merah Country Club: Garden Course recently renovated. The Tampines is set around a lake. No guests on Saturday afternoons; 36 holes.
- The Executive Golf Course: This environmentally conscious course features lush vegetation where wildlife abounds, as it offers a nature reserve; 9 holes; Tel: 6453 2700. 25 Changi Coast Road, Changi.
- Warren Golf Club: This course, built in the 1960’s features 6 lakes on a very tight layout. It also offers a 30 bay range using compression balls, a mini chip and putt course, and a 4 hole practice green; 9 holes. 81 Choa Chu, Kang Way, Northwest Singapore.
Tennis
Tennis is a very popular sport, particularly within the expatriate community, as it is also a major social occupation. A number of competitive leagues abound, and good instructors can be easily found. Many people play at their own condominium complexes or at private social clubs including The Tanglin Club, American Club, British Club, and Hollandse Club, but public courts and racquet clubs are also available.
- ANZA (Australia and New Zealand Association) Tennis: This evening social tennis group welcomes men and women. They play at the Tanglin Tennis Centre, near the Australian High Commission, Tel: 6733 1215.
- Burghley Squash & Tennis Centre: Four well-maintained public tennis courts and four squash courts situated just off the Central Express Way, managed by the SCC, 43 Burghley Drive, Tel: 6283 1251.
- Farrer Park Tennis Centre: Public courts for rent by the hour, 8 tennis courts and two walls, 1 Rutland Road, Tel: 6299 4166
- Kallang Squash and Tennis Centre: Public courts for rent by the hour. 7 Squash Courts, 14 Tennis Courts and 2 Tennis Walls, 52 Stadium Road, Tel: 6348 1291 / 6440 6839
- The Pinnacle Lifestyle Management: Provides tennis lessons for toddlers, kids, adults and families. Corporate classes are also available. Classes are conducted at client’s premises or an alternate venue, Tel: 6838 9039
- Total Fitness & Leisure (TFL): Based at the Shangri-La and Traders hotels, specializes in tennis and swimming coaching programs for children of all ages and abilities, Tel: 6464 8663 / 9026 5680 / 9021 6245
- Tots Tennis Coaching: Introduces children aged two-and-a-half to four-and-a-half years to the basics of tennis, with fun lessons in an active outdoor environment, Tel: 9012 7144
Swimming
Swimming is an incredibly popular pastime in this hot, year-round summer locale. Again, many use their condominium complex pools or social club pools for swimming, but Singapore also offers fantastic public swimming complexes, many of which provide coaching and lessons. Furthermore, a number of competitive children’s and adults’ leagues offer racing opportunities.
The Singapore Sports Council operates 24 modern swimming complexes scattered throughout the island with very reasonable entry fees. For locations, see the Singapore Sports Council website.
- AquaDucks – Swim Centre Verhoef: Swimming programs for children from 6 months of age. Adult courses available as well, Tel: 6463 5554.
- Aquastar Swimming Lessons in Singapore: Swimming lessons for children. Children are taught the dangers of water as they learn to swim, Tel: 9005 9173.
- Choa Chu Kang Swimming Complex: Public swimming pool with whirlpool, high water slide, river rapid, wave pool and spa pool. Swimming lessons available for children (from the age of 5) and adults, 1 Choa Chu Kang St 53, Tel: 6767 8606
- Happy Fish Swim School Pte. Ltd: Swimming Lessons for infants, toddlers, kids and adults in Singapore, Tel: 9651 7946.
- Marsden Swim School: Swimming lessons for children and adults. Off-site classes at private pools available. Competitive training and swim squads conducted at a 50m pool, Tel: 6473 8353 / 9621 9965.
- SASSI: Provides American Red Cross certified instruction in swimming for all ages, lifeguard training, and CPR / First Aid courses, Tel: 6466 8598.
- Singapore American Community Action Council (SACAC): Offers multiple sports programs for youth, including swimming, baseball, basketball, cheerleading, flag football, football, golf, gymnastics, kickball, soccer, and softball, Tel: 6363 6454.
- Singapore Masters Swimming: Offers adult swimming classes for all levels. From the beginner to the Marathon Open water swimming, Tel: 9679 0976.
- Splash Aquatic Centre: Conducts international swimming classes in private swimming pools, provides Dutch swimming awards with international swimming instructors, Tel: 9645 2723.
- Sunfish Swim School (SFSS): Sunfish Swim School offers certification programs and basic water survival, Tel: 9850 9547
- Swimaquatics: Professionally trained swimming instructors for both adults and kids. They have coaches located in the north, south, east and west of Singapore, Tel: 9066 0072
- Torpedo Swim Team: Offer a range of swimming programs from beginners to gold level and competitive swimming, Tel: 9180 3505 / 9067 4970 / 9154 5548
- Total Fitness & Leisure (TFL): Based at the Shangri-La and Traders hotels, specializes in tennis and swimming coaching for children of all ages and abilities, Tel: 6464 8663 / 9026 5680 / 9021 6245.
- Yellowfish Swim: Specializing in open water and triathlon swim, various adult classes from beginners to advanced are conducted daily. Suitable for masters and triathletes. Tel: 9101 4211
Yoga
While yoga is offered at a number of studios, private gyms, and community centers, the following groups are most popular with expatriates:
- Absolute Yoga: Conducts hot yoga classes using fixed postures done in a heated room to assist in slimming, toning and relieving stress at River Valley Studio, #02-01 Valley Point, Tel: 6732 6007 / 6223 8254.
- Mother and Child: Offers fit to deliver prenatal and postnatal yoga workshops with fitball and floor mat exercises to cope with pregnancy, labor, birth, breastfeeding, infant care and parenting, 19 Tanglin Road #05-18 Tanglin Shopping Centre, Tel:6836-0063
- Om Shiva Yoga Singapore: Om Shiva provides a truly unique yoga experience. Set amongst the lush greenery and fresh air of Bukit Timah, new and experienced students are welcome to the variety of yoga classes on offer, Tel: 6466 2257.
- Pure Yoga: The yoga centers offer many classes each week, in a wide range of yoga practices, by qualified yoga teachers. 391A Orchard Road, #18-00 Ngee Ann City Tower A, Tel: 6733 8863.
- True Yoga: 10 yoga studios offering more than 35 different types of yoga, hot yoga, dance and pilates classes, 9 Scotts Rd, Pacific Plaza Level 4 and 20 Raffles Place, Ocean Towers Level 27, Tel: 6733 9555 / 6536 3390.
Soccer/Football
As one of Singapore’s only major competitive sports, football enjoys great popularity especially amongst Singaporeans and Australian and European expatriates.
- ANZA Soccer: Junior soccer league for children of ages 5 to 18, an entirely voluntary organization. Over 650 children of all different nationalities take part, Tel: 6733 1215.
- Brazilian Soccer School: A Brazilian soccer school coaching kids through various soccer training programs from the age of 5 to 18 years old, 200 Turf Club Road, #02-05 Turf City, Tel: 6468 3802 / 9067 1940.
- Cosmo League Singapore: League offering very competitive play for expatriate adults.
- espZen: Singapore’s largest adult competitive league, this group offers football / soccer for men, women, juniors, and veterans, Tel: 6325 9386 / 8233 2820.
- Euro Soccer Excellence: Association for soccer enthusiasts, Tel: 6284 4096 International Soccer Academy (ISA): Conducts whole year intensive coaching for children from age 4 to 18. Holiday camps, match tours around SEA region and MUFC, UK, Tel: 9018 1816
- JSSL Arsenal – An Arsenal Soccer School: JSSL-Arsenal, Sinagpore’s premier league soccer school is an official Arsenal soccer school dedicated to your children. Located at the JSSL-Soccer Pitch opp. the National Stadium in Kallang and next to the National Tennis Center, Tel: 6348 5780.
- Singapore American Community Action Council (SACAC): Tel: 6363 6454.
- Socatots: Soccer play program for children from six months to five years of age, aimed at giving children a first start with the ball, 200 Turf Club Rd, #01-17 Turf City, Tel: 6468 9812
- Stingers UWC Community Football Club: The Stingers Football Club is based at United World College, and open to the wider Singapore community. The children aged 6-14 are coached by experienced coaches, Tel: 9673 3296 / 9127 8732
- The Cage: With six 5-a-side pitches (or 4-a-side if you have the lungs and legs), The Cage is providing a new form of soccer entertainment in Singapore. Available for parties and bookings, Tel: 6344 9345 / 8244 3554.
Gymnastics
- Singapore American Community Action Council (SACAC): Tel: 6363 6454.
- Prime Gymnastics: Offers special kids’ classes for children below five years’ of age and teaches on Olympic apparatus for beginners and intermediate levels. Coaches competitive boys and girls’ squads. Adult gymnastics available too. 17A Lorong 7, Toa Payoh, Tel: 6773 2901,
- Sky Gym: Provides gym style programmes for both parent and child, promoting general gymnastics for all through their custom designed activities. Programmes begin for kids from the age of one up to adult classes. 200 Turf Club Rd #02-07, Turf City, Tel: 6466 4656.
Watersports
- Raffles Marina: The courses provide all you need to know to cruise in Singapore and adjacent waters; the syllabus for the Powered Pleasure Craft Driving License (PPCDL). Also provides AYA Keelboat Sailing Courses and AYA Ocean Skipper Course, Tel: 6861 9000
- RSYC Sailing Courses: Offers Keelboat sailing courses and Optimist sailing for children and Dinghy sailing. Republic of Singapore Yacht Club, 52 West Coast Ferry Road, Tel: 6768 9290
- Singapore Sailing Federation: Sailing courses are available at National Sailing Centre on the following classes of boat: Optimist for children aged 8 – 15 years old and Byte for aged 15 and above. 1500 East Coast Parkway National Sailing Centre, Tel: 6444 4555.
- Extreme Sports: Wakeboarding, waterskiing and fun rides. Beginners courses and personal training for all ages, Tel: 6344 8813
- Paddle Culture: A Kayak school with a team of coaches who teach kayaking, from their range of kayaks. Some specialties include canoe polo, canoe slalom, kayak sprinting and recreational paddling. Kallang Water Sports Centre, 10 Stadium Lane, Tel: 9438 4374
- Singapore Dragon Boat Association: Currently, the SDBA has twenty-two dragon boats and eighteen 12-crew dragon boats with many different nationalities, 10 Stadium Lane, Tel: 6440 9763.
- Singapore Waterski & Wakeboard Federation: The Singapore Waterski & Wakeboard Federation (SWWF) is the national body for waterskiing and wakeboarding in Singapore. SWWF selects and trains athletes to represent Singapore in international competitions, Tel: 6348 9943,
- Ski 360o: Singapore’s first cable ski park, 1206A East Coast Park, Car Park E1, East Coast Lagoon, Tel: 6442 7318
