For centuries, routine exercise has been promoted to provide beneficial effects for all ages. From children having weekly swimming lessons to seniors having a daily workout at neighborhood parks, creating a habit to exercise is crucial to leading an active lifestyle.

Over years of research, medical professional found and has proven that many benefits linked to exercising. The benefits come in the form of stress reduction, better quality of sleep, and better health outcomes (improved immunity and low risk of chronic diseases). More important of all, keeping to an active lifestyle is required for a child’s growth and development. 

Amidst the COVID-19 situation, countries worldwide have been imposing “lockdown” or in local terms, “circuit breaker”. The objective of all these measures is to encourage everyone to stay at home to minimise the transmission of the virus. As such, it is becoming increasingly challenging to lead an active lifestyle in the outdoors.

Lucky for adults, there are many online and offline resources to be engaged in exercising. One of the most popular and recommended channels providing free virtual home workouts is Get Active TV. The virtual classes range from Zumba fitness to cardio and strength training which can be done at home.

Get Active TV is a media channel that features LIVE virtual workout classes and other resources that guide you in living an active lifestyle while staying at home.  

However, the main bulk of home workouts are catered towards adults and there is not much catering to children   One possible reason, is that these work out sessions tend to be too long to be able to capture children’s attention.

Imagine how bored or frustrated a child may get they have to participate in a 60 minutes virtual Zumba training!

As such, it is important to plan home workouts that are short, fun, and easy to understand. We have compiled 5 workouts that kids can do with parental guidance and/or participation.

1. Shining STAR!

Stand up straight and jump into the air, opening your arms and legs so that it forms a big “X”. Every time an “X” is formed, shout, “I’m a shining STAR”

2. Polar Bear

Arch your back, with palms and feet flat on the ground. Pretend that you are the mummy or daddy bear and race your kids across the house. Make it fun by setting a challenge or race to a finish point!

3. Jumping Jacks

This is a classic workout, that can go on and on. Increase the number of repetitions as the training progress.

4. Sit-Ups

Another classic, buddy your kids to hold your legs and vice versa.

5. Flutter Kick

Keep your back flat on a hard surface, extend your legs and keeping your knees lock (no bending of knees), imagine you are a swimmer, and begin to flutter kick.

Track Progress and Praise

Keep a record of the workouts completed and praise your child for any accomplishment on the workout. This will motivate them to perform more repetitions and encourage them to do it daily.

Working out at home can be made challenging, enjoyable, and is an opportunity to bond with your kids. These are golden opportunities to unwind from your work, “home-based learning” or keeping your kids away from relying to much from the electronic devices.

Stay safe, stay home, and stay active!

 

You may have heard about ActiveSG membership, but do you know about the various ways you can save by being a member?

What is ActiveSG?

Started in April 2014, ActiveSG is a national movement that aims to encourage Singaporeans and Permanent Residents (PRs) of all ages to increase sports participation.

ActiveSG programmes and activities aim to build communities and encourage Singaporeans to live better through sport.  

Who is eligible?

It is open to all Singaporeans and PRs who are at least 12 years old. On the other hand, those eligible and below 12 years, can tag to the accounts of their parents/guardians.

ActiveSG membership is FREE and complimentary for all eligible parties. However, eligible parties must sign up to activate the membership.

You can activate the membership by downloading the smartphone application, "ActiveSG". Next, complete the verification process by clicking on members.myactivesg.com.

Alternatively, visit any ActiveSG Swimming Complexes, bring along your identification documents and register in person at the customer service counter.

Start saving with an ActiveSG membership

1. Redeem the SGD$100 ActiveSG credits

All eligible members, upon signing up, can redeem the complimentary $100 ActiveSG credit. Upon verification, set up your 6 digits eWallet PIN.

Hurray! You will be able to view and use the complimentary ActiveSG $100 credited to your account.

On the other hand, eligible members (under 12 years of age) without SingPass accounts can visit ActiveSG Sports Centres and produce their student passes or any identification documents for verification.

The SGD$100 credits can be used for ActiveSG pool and gym admission. In addition, it can be used for ActiveSG programmes, facilities booking and purchasing of facilities’ schemes. However, please note that the credits cannot be used for programmes conducted by external vendors, such as using the credits to pay for swimming lessons. 

To further encourage more children to lead an active lifestyle,  children aged 4 to 12 years old will get an additional top-up of $100 in their ActiveSG accounts on 1 May 2023. This means that the children who registered for a new ActiveSG account will have $200 credits in their ActiveSG accounts. 

2. Using the credits for your child’s pool entry

It is important to note that the complimentary ActiveSG $100 has an expiry date and it will expire on 31 December of the following year upon verification of the membership account. 

However, the credits can be used for your child’s (below 12 years old and tagged to their parent) pool entry. Hence, the next time you enroll your child in group or private swimming lessons for kids at a public pool, you can use your credits for both yourself and your child’s pool entry.

3. Purchasing of MyActiveSG’s scheme

MyActiveSG’s scheme is applicable for gym and pool admission. It is eligible for ActiveSG members aged 18-54 years old

Firstly, the MyActiveGYM scheme allows a member to have unlimited access to all 16 ActiveGYM facilities. Monthly adult off-peak session starts from $15/Month.

Assuming you have a gym workout twice a week, the cost of an individual workout session is $1.80. You save up to $0.70 per gym entry (an adult single pass is priced at $2.50), or $5.60 per month.  

MyActiveGYM’s scheme is also available for peak sessions and members can choose 1 month, 6 months, or 12 months scheme.

Secondly, the MyActiveSWIM scheme allows a member to have unlimited access to all ActiveSG swimming complexes (Excluding Senja Cashew and MOE (Evans) pools). The monthly scheme is priced at $10/Month.

Assuming you proceed to Jurong West Swimming Complex for a swim twice a week, the cost of an individual swimming session is $1.25. You save up to $0.75 per pool entry (an adult single pass for features pool is priced at $2.00), or $6 per month.

You can sign up for the above schemes via the following channels:

• ActiveSG mobile app Log-in> Buy Scheme
• Guest Services Offices / Swimming Complexes

However, for purchasing schemes, it will be more economically feasible if you visit the above facilities consistently and frequently. For members who do not use ActiveSG’s gym or pool frequently, it will be advisable to purchase a single pass instead.

4. Save on ActiveSG programmes

ActiveSG offers an extensive range of fitness programmes for various age groups. From aqua aerobics to belly dancing, you will be spoilt for choices. By logging into the ActiveSG application, you can see a variety of programmes for children and families that want to exercise. Alternatively, you can search and book the programme online.

The best news is that you will be able to use your free credits to enroll in all these exciting programmes.
Bonus tip: For selected programmes, you will be able to receive up to 30% off.

5. Purchasing Exclusive Merchandise and food and beverages

Every time you step into an ActiveSG Sports centre, did you see the red and white vending machines? 

You can use your free credits to purchase products for yourself or as a gift to family and friends. From limited-edition dri-fit shirts, swimming goggles to fiber towels. It seems like, there is something for everybody! 

Also, you can purchase food and beverages for selected merchants at ActiveSG's sports centre. 

For more information about ActiveSG Membership,

• How to sign up for ActiveSG membership?
• Technical Enquiries: 6594 1388

 

Referring to an article reported by Lianhe WanBao dated on December 2014, A four-year-old boy drowned while playing in a pool at Aloha Loyang resort on Saturday (20 Dec 2014).

It was reported by one of the rescuer, Mr. Cai, who was also the first eye witnessed that he realised that something was wrong when he saw a woman panic.

 He acted quick and helped to rescue the drowning boy with two other rescuers on site. Two of them was a member of the public and the other, a lifeguard. Despite the three of them performing resuscitation on the victim, the boy’s pulse was weak even after 20 minutes of resuscitation.

Mr. Cai highlighted that the boy's body had turned cyanosis and when police and civil defence personnel arrived at the scene, he was immediately loaded and rushed to the hospital.

Though the boy was rescued at 7.18pm on Saturday (Dec 20), he passed away five hours later in the hospital - after midnight on Dec 21.

Mr. Cai highlighted that perhaps no one noticed that he was drowning because there were a lot of people in the pool. He added that parents should pay more attention to their kids to ensure their safety.

We strongly agree with Mr. Cai and would like to advise parents to take extra precaution and attention in ensuring their children safe. Many parents tend to lower their precaution when they knew that their children have fundamental water skills. However, it is strongly not advisable, as many children tend to underestimate the water depth. At Isplash Swim School, our swimming lessons for kids follow the swimsafer teaching syllabus and one of the aspects is imparting children with knowledge on understanding their personal water safety.

Aqua jogging is one popular aquatic theraphy exercise. Aquatic therapy is an exercise program performed in the water for medical conditions. In addition, it is also suitable for obese and older individuals who are experiencing difficulties in performing land exercises. Taking advantage of the physical properties of water, patient is able to use aquatic therapy to provide assistance for therapeutic benefits and relaxation.  Examples of therapeutic application includes back problem, orthopedic rehabilitation and musculoskeletal pain. 

As a result of the upward thrust of buoyancy provided by the water, it helps patient in supporting their weight. Buoyancy also helps patient in performing range of motions, improves flexibility and assist their weaker muscles.  In addition, the resistance as a results of  water viscosity serves as a muscle build up exercise without the need of weights. 

One common aquatic therapy exercise is aqua jogging. It is a form of water jogging that resembles running movement. As a result of the buoyancy of water, there is minimal impact and is safe for almost any injuries. However, one important point to note, to have minimal(near zero) impact, individuals have to find a pool deep enough as the feet are not supposed to touch the bottom of the pool. Pointers for a good working of aqua jogging are to keep upper body as straight as possible and avoid leaning infront too much. In addition, if you are a beginner, it is strongly advised for you to get an aqua jogging vest for assistance and safety purposes. 

 

 

 

Have you ever wondered why so many parents are enrolling their children in swimming lessons? Swimming is a valuable skill and lifelong sport that will benefit your kids for the rest of their life. Moreover, swimming also enables your kids to be active and healthy. In this article, it will focus on some of the key benefits of swimming for children.