Alternatives to gym work-outs: Away from home

Alternatives: At home | Away from home

#1: Fencing

Calories burned: 354

A sport that parallels the evolution of civilisation is taking place right here in Bukit Timah, Thomson and Marine Parade. Z Fencing (Several locations Tel: 6352 6010, www.zfencing.com.sg) is Singapore’s first centre of fencing, replete with modern high-tech facilities for swordplay between adults and children alike. Those who practise this sport develop good coordination, balance and flexibility.

#2: Drumming

Calories burned: 214

Make like an early tribesman (or woman) and drum on traditional percussive instruments while facilitating spiritual and physical wellbeing. Drumming instructor Kelvin Kew also tells us that by smashing your fingers on the drum, the repetition increases the blood flow to your fingertips. This in turn increases the excretion of toxins through the skin. By the end of a two-hour session you will have slightly purple-tipped fingers.

Where: Lila Drums @ Kallang Community Centre (Level 2 Games Room, 45 Boon Keng Road; Tel: 6334 1430, www.liladrums.com).

#3: Work-out with your dog

Calories burned: 245

For you calorie watchers, bring your beloved pooch to Josiah Gan’s onestop shop, K9 Kampus (110 Turf Club Road; Tel: 6314 9363) near Turf City. There’s a dog-friendly café selling canine-themed treats, a dogs’ swimming pool (I’m not making this up), and an obstacle course where you can run alongside Fido as he tackles the ramps, tunnels and jumps. Five complete circuits in the hot Singapore sun should be enough to exhaust both you and your faithful friend.

#4: Strike a tree pose

Calories burned: 70

While taking your usual bus ride home, forget about sitting down and indulging in your latest comic or tabloid. Instead, leave those earplugs in, get off your butt (good chance to fake some compassion by offering your seat to the nearest pregnant or old lady) and find a pole. Once there, put your right hand on the pole for support and as you exhale, place your left foot on the inside of your right leg – close to the groin area. Results may differ depending on the length of the journey. Our suggested bus to take? Number 2 (for two-hour long bus trip/yoga sessions) from Eu Tong Sen Street to Changi Village Road. Remember to stretch at regular intervals.

Calories burned in each activity were calculated using Polar's FT80 ($566; Tel: 6372 6399, www.polarelectro.com.sg). Just by strapping it on, you can estimate the amount of fat burned per work out, and it also offer guides on weekly training with intensity and timing targets.  

Alternatives: At home | Away from home