Some of the best and fittest physiques in the world belong to surfers. With the combination of cardio, body-weight resistance movements and core strength, I was hardly surprised when someone took the board out of the water and put it in a studio. The classes at SURFSET focus on surfing movements on boards securely balanced on exercise balls mimicing the strength required in surfing. Along with their Core and Sweat classes, their Balance class is a perfect introduction class to surfboard Pilates and provides a great workout for your back, core, shoulders and legs.
Yoga, Pilates and Surfing
Located on Joo Chiat Road, the classes at the SURFSET studio are a mix between yoga, pilates and High Intensity Interval training with a focus on stability and core strength. Today our instructor, Ashely, took myself and a few hopeful first timers through a series of surfing-style movements on our boards. Now, I’m not a surfer – far from it – so I wasn’t expecting the easiest of classes, but after the first 5 minutes (and one or two slips from the board) I really started to get the hang of it, and I ended up having a lot of fun!
Effective and efficient entire body workout
Our instructor started by getting us used to the idea of moving on an unbalanced board by taking us through a range of leg and core exercises, building the class up to eventually completing the classic snapping up surfing move. The following consisted of an intense core session then localised work on our biceps and triceps. By the end of the session I could feel the activation of new muscles all down my back and the inner thighs. The key component in the effectiveness of this type of workout is using an unbalanced surface – your muscles have to work harder not only to lift the body, but also to you keep stable. Tiny muscles in the core, back, legs and arms are activated and worked to maintain your balance, fantastic for toning problem areas all over the body.
Willing to give it a try?
I’m up for trying any type of exercise and this one has to be one of the most interesting whilst effective workouts I’ve done since being in Singapore. By using your own body weight, in addition to ‘surfing’ actions to lift the heart rate and incorporating strength building movements, the Balance Class is a great all round workout for anyone up for it!
Book a class through GuavaPass today!
Amenities: water refill, changing areas, bathrooms, bottled water (for purchase)
#GuavaTip: Have a go at their ‘Pose of the Week’ on your board at the end of your class – super challenging but awesome if you can hold them.
