Working environment in Singapore is known for its fast pace. But, when it comes to fitness, the trend is moving towards the long game. What it means is, Singaporean focus is now shifting to holistic approach that been known to keep us moving well and pain free for decades to come. Usually, people tend to purely aesthetic goals, like bulking up body.
This holistic approach is called functional fitness. It is about physical activity that translates directly to our life, outside the gym. Something like lifting groceries bag, bow down to take a stuff, playing with kids, even sitting behind desk for hours at office. In city as demanding as Singapore, focus on real worlds mobility and prevention to injury in a must.
The Singaporean fitness consumer has officially redefined term longevity. According to the Manulife Asia Care Survey 2025, the priority isn’t just living longer, but living better. Proofed by nearly a quarter of respondents stated by staying physically active over believed to extending their lifespan. This mindset fuels the rise of functional fitness like Pilates and Animal Flow, which are not just workouts, but investments in pain free future.
Here are 2 of Functional Fitness Practice that You Should Try
1. Pilates: Essential Foundation for a Desk-Bound Life
Pilates is no longer just a conditioning tool for every dancers. Now its the go to solution for the professional employee. Because the core principles of Pilates (stabilisation, proper alignment, and controlled breathing) are the antidote to a office life style, sitting behind desk for hours.
Singaporeans that are looking for Pilates mostly start with a common question: Mat or Reformer?
- Mat Pilates: This is the foundation. It uses only your body weight, while incorporating small props. It requires deep concentration to control your movements. Excellent for building foundational core strength and body awareness. An ultimate choice for enhancing stability and can be done anywhere.
- Reformer Pilates: This kind of pilates specialized machine with a sliding carriage and adjustable springs. The springs add resistance to build strength but can also provide support for those with limited mobility or recovering from injury. Generally preferred for targeted muscle, rehabilitation, and achieve a wider range of motion with assistance.
Both forms are designed to reinforce correct movement patterns for body postre. These two also directly enhances your core stability and makes you more resilient against the common back and neck pain associated with working life.
2. Animal Flow: Unlocking Primal Strength and Coordination
If Pilates known for builds stability, then Animal Flow is the practice that turns that stability into dynamic, full-body workout with coordination and mobility.
Animal Flow is a ground based movement system that combines elements of yoga, breakdancing, gymnastics, and capoeira. Participate will execute a fluid transitions using body weight while at the same time mimicking animal movements like the Ape, the Beast, and the Crab.
Reasons why is Animal Flow become Functional Fitness Trend
- Enhanced Mobility: Unlike traditional gym routines that focus on muscles, Animal Flow forces many joints and muscle to work together seamlessly. This crucial for improving your body and joint mobility.
- Mastering Control of Body Weight: By training on all fours, you develop an exceptional awareness of your body and strength. This two prevents asymmetries that lead to injuries.
- Flow State: Moving from one posture to the next without pausing will acts as a moving meditation. Simultaneously improving your physical fitness and mental focus. It’s a workout that makes people feel more athletic and integrated.
Functional Fitness Benefit, Prevention of Injury
The ultimate goal of functional fitness is prevention. When you lack strength or stability in a fundamental movement pattern, even a simple one like squatting or rotating, could make your body hurt. Over time, this leads to muscle imbalances, pain, and eventual injury.
Several body part could regain strength from those workouts. Like shoulder and neck from desk work that could improve posture. Followed by hip after sitting in a long time, helped by Pilates. Then torso and pelvic area that will be better with animal flow training.
Ready to Build a Body that Lasts?
At Sky Yoga International, we offer a complete suite of functional fitness classes. From foundational Mat and Reformer Pilates, soon will open in our new studio at Balestier, to dynamic Animal Flow that you could try in our Tanjong Katong studio. Both are designed to support your longevity fitness journey while guided by an expert and experience teacher. Interested? Click here to claim your free trial.