At 79 years old, Dr Charlotte Lim is a shining example of the power of strength training for seniors. Despite her petite frame, she can dead-hang for over 3½ minutes and perform a 50kg barbell back squat.
From Skinny Fat to Strong and Lean
Dr Lim’s strength training journey began at age 72, when her children invited her to join their gym, Bespoke Fitness. She had previously exercised on her own, but her training was unfocused, and she was “skinny fat” with a body fat percentage of about 29.
- With Bespoke Fitness’s FitRX training programme, Dr Lim was able to transform her body in just four years.
- She went from being unable to do a sit-up without assistance to being able to do unassisted sit-ups within a year.
- Her body fat percentage has decreased to 15%, and she can now do a 100m dash in under 23 seconds.
A Family Affair
Dr Lim’s children, Yan Lin and Tiat Lim, are health and fitness coaches who run Bespoke Fitness with their mother. They encouraged her to join the gym to train as a family.
Accessible and Affordable Options for Seniors
There are several gyms and fitness centres that cater specifically to seniors, offering a range of services and programmes designed to help them stay active and healthy.
| Programme | Duration | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Gym Tonic | 12 weeks | $7.50 – $20 per session |
| Aspire55 | 6 months | $700 for 10 sessions |
| Vigeo Personal Training | Session-based | $105 per session |
A Growing Market
The demand for senior-focused gyms and fitness centres is growing rapidly, driven by Singapore’s super-ageing society and changing societal norms about what “old” people can do.
Singapore’s Ministry of Health has identified the need for earlier intervention to prevent and manage age-related health issues, such as sarcopenia, which can lead to frailty, falls, and fractures.
Examples of Successful Senior-Focused Gyms
There are several examples of successful senior-focused gyms in Singapore, including:
- Gym Tonic: A 12-week programme that offers strength training, cardio, and flexibility exercises.
- Aspire55: A gym that offers a range of services, including strength training, cardio, and group classes.
- Vigeo Personal Training: A private training service that offers semi-private sessions and customised workout plans.
A New Approach to Fitness
Seniors are a sorely underserved market, and traditional gyms often struggle to meet their needs.
A new approach to fitness, one that prioritises accessibility, affordability, and community, is emerging.
Aspire55, for example, offers a community-focused gym that encourages social interaction and camaraderie among members.
Vigeo Personal Training offers semi-private sessions and customised workout plans, tailored to the individual needs of each client.
Thrive Healthcare’s Legends programme offers functional fitness, strength, and conditioning exercises, designed to help older adults with diverse medical conditions.
A Growing Market Opportunity
The ageing population is a significant market opportunity, with Singapore’s market potential estimated to be at US$72.4 billion.
Aspire55’s community brand, Singapore Seniors, has become the active ageing operator for Commune@Henderson, a intergenerational co-living space that houses seniors and foreign students.
The concept of an intergenerational gym is being replicated in private condominiums, offering a cost-efficient and scalable way to bring the model closer to homes.
Conclusion
Strength training for seniors is a game-changer for ageing well.
