Old or young, beginner or master, the HomeTeamNS-JOM Balestier clubhouse has all sorts of sports courses for everyone.
TEXT: AISHONA RAI
PHOTOS: HOMETEAMNS
I’m always open to new experiences, but even I was pleasantly surprised by the variety of sports courses and activities available at HomeTeamNS-JOM Balestier, which is located in the central region of Singapore. Taekwondo? They’ve got it. Hoop Fitness? Ditto. And that’s just the tip of the fitness iceberg.
Most of the classes are organised in groups which just adds to the fun. You get to make new friends and help motivate one another! If your loved ones want to join in your fitness quest, the classes cater to participants of all ages and experience levels.
I tried four fun activities that were completely new to me at the clubhouse, and here’s what I learned.
STRETCH YOUR LIMITS WITH YOGA
Yoga isn’t just about stretching and flexibility. It also helps you to build muscle, improve your posture and even boost your metabolism.
It was my first-ever so I expected to be holding up the rest of the class. To my surprise, even though there were some experienced participants, I never felt left behind. The instructor regularly checked in on the beginners and frequently offered pointers throughout the session.
The instructor introduced the newbies to some of the different types of yoga like Hatha Yoga and Yin Restoration Yoga. We also learned breathing exercises that really made me relax and relieve stress.
THE TWISTS AND TURNS OF TAEKWONDO
Taekwondo requires years of training to master. Besides developing cardiovascular fitness and muscle tone, it also emphasises mental aspects like discipline and patience.
I was quite excited for my first session at St Teresa Taekwondo because it is always portrayed so coolly in movies and social media.
The two coaches were very patient with the students, considering that the youngest student they had was a three-year-old girl. The coach focused on the foundational moves as these were very important building blocks.
As someone completely new to Taekwondo, I was a little intimidated by the shouts the students made after every punch or kick. I quickly found out that this wasn’t just about de-stressing – it forces Taekwondoins to exhale so their attacks are more powerful.
TAKING ON TENNIS
If you’re secretly harbouring ambitions of becoming the next Iga Swiatek or Novak Djokovic, this one’s for you. My coach took the time to explain different tennis terms and forms, which made it easy to follow his introductory lesson to the sport.
While I may not have set the tennis world alight, I learned some valuable fundamentals. For one, footwork is key – you’ll need this to position yourself to return shots without expending too much energy. Good hand-eye coordination is also key to enjoying the game. This required constant, consistent focus and all that running and volleying meant I could enjoy a satisfying burn.
FULL CIRCLE WITH HOOP FITNESS
When I entered, I was struck by how friendly and welcoming the other participants were. They told me not to worry about my lack of hula-hooping experience and to just enjoy the class. Our instructor also explained the whole programme in detail.
The warm-up session started with Zumba and Tabata workouts then ended with popular K-Pop songs which made the atmosphere so much more fun.
Hoop fitness couples cardiovascular fitness with exercises that help tone the waist area, making this a great activity for working up a good sweat.
I may have been new to these activities but I felt right at home, thanks to the friendly environment, knowledgeable coaches and exemplary facilities. Did I relish the challenge of these new activities? Yes. Will I be coming back for more? Most definitely.
Stay tuned for my next adventure at HomeTeamNS Khatib, Bukit Batok and Bedok Reservoir!
Visit HomeTeamNS-JOM Balestier to kickstart your next fitness adventure. For the latest updates on HomeTeamNS promotions and events, visit our website and Facebook page.
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