What is it? Fourteen years ago, Madam Kartini Abdul Rahman started thinking of ways to encourage her fellow Malay women to exercise more. Many of those women did not exercise because they did not feel comfortable at the thought of wearing sports clothing. Madam Kartini then created kebayarobics.
How does it differ from standard aerobics classes? It is a medium-impact workout combining aerobic movements and Jaipong rhythm (a type of Indonesian music) which can be performed in loose-fitting kebayas and head scarves.
Who should or should not do it? Anyone can do it - and not just kebaya wearers. Most of the early participants were women over 40, but now there are even teenage boys taking part.
For a beginner, what is the hardest part to master? It can take a few weeks to master and remember the steps to go with the music. Once you know the steps, the whole exercise is easy to follow.
Where to go for kebayarobics:
>>Ace the Place CC, Block 547 Woodlands Drive 16, #01-177 Tel: 6891-3430, 6891-3494
>>Lam Soon CC, Block 421 Choa Chu Kang Avenue 4 #01-218 Tel : 6765-1598, 6769-1598
>>MacPherson CC, 400 Paya Lebar Way Tel: 6745-2940, 6745-2946
>>Tampines North CC, 2 Tampines Street 41 Tel: 6783-2900, 6783-2254
>>The Frontier CC, Block 60 Jurong West Central 3 #01-01 The Frontier Community Club Tel: 6795-8229
>>Yio Chu Kang CC, 50 Ang Mo Kio, Street 61 Tel: 6457-0414, 6458-8409
>>ZhengHua CC, No 1 Segar Rd Tel: 6310-6702
Fees vary for community clubs, ranging from $50 (members) to $55 (non-members) for 10 sessions. Classes are held once a week for one hour each.
Dr Jason Chia, a consultant sports physician at Changi General Hospital, says:
'Regular aerobic exercise is useful in helping to lower blood pressure for those who have hypertension. It burns off calories, and is an adjunct to controlling weight. It also helps to increase good cholesterol.'
What is it? An Aerobics workout conducted in water - most conveniently, a swimming pool!
How does it differ from standard aerobic classes? As the water supports the body's weight, there is little impact on the joints. The exercise involves striding, lunging, kicking and pushing one's limbs against the water.
The movement aims to firm and tone overall body muscles, increase cardiovascular strength and improve the body's flexibility. Thirty minutes of water-based exercising burns about 300 calories.
Who should or should not do it? As long as a participant gets medical clearance from their respective doctors, aqua aerobics is open to all, even non-swimmers, pregnant women, and the young and old.
For a beginner, what is the hardest part of the class to master? Stabilising in the water. As the water creates resistance, participants generally have slight difficulty in brisk movements.
Where to go for aqua aerobics:
>>Cairnhill CC, 1 Anthony Road Tel: 6737-9537
Fees for 10 sessions are $65 (members) and $70 (non-members). Classes are held once a week for one hour each, at Far East Plaza Swimming Pool, level 8.
Dr Jason Chia, a consultant sports physician at Changi General Hospital, says:
'High-impact aerobic exercises may result in overuse injuries. The risk is minimised by alternating high-impact activities with low-impact activities. Aqua aerobics is a form of low-impact activity. The buoyancy of the water cushions the joints.'
What is it? Bhangrarobicz is a workout that incorporates moves from Bhangra, a lively North Indian (Punjabi) dance. These moves are combined with aerobics steps to give a satisfying workout to a fusion of traditional Indian and Western music. The steps, jumps and bouncy moves will tone your arm muscles, shape your thighs and could burn up to 500 calories per hour.
How does it differ from standard aerobics classes? For one hour, you will feel like you are in a Bollywood movie.
Who should or should not do it? The Singapore Heart Foundation (SHF) has endorsed this exercise. Bhangrarobicz lets you work out to your ability. It is low-impact but energetic (the level can be determined by the students). Students have included those who suffer from leukaemia, meningitis and diabetes.
For a beginner, what is the hardest part of the class to master? For the first lesson it would be the footwork, just like any other workout. However, by the fourth session, you would have learnt the basics.
>>Siglap CC, 300 Bedok South Avenue 3 Tel: 6449-8040
>>Toa Payoh Central CC, 93 Toa Payoh Central Tel: 6252-1249
Fees for eight sessions are $50 (members) and $60 (non-members) at Lam Soon CC, and $60 (members) and $65 (non-members) at all other CCs. Classes are held once a week for one hour each.
Dr Jason Chia, a consultant sports physician at Changi General Hospital, says:
'Not all heart problems prohibit one from participating in aerobic exercises. This depends on the cause of the heart problem, the severity and also on the intensity of the exercise one plans to undertake. The same goes for back problems and knee problems.'
All three of these aerobics options can go towards achieving the '30 minutes a day and five times a week' exercise requirement, recommended by the Health Promotion Board.
For more information on all the aerobics types here, including schedules, fees and online registration, visit www.pa.gov.sg.
