In a sea of alternative workout options that are available in the market, Surfset caught our eye with its fresh concept and a focus on core strengthening. We got in touch with new mum and surfset instructor, Yu Shuyi, who shared how surfset has helped her through her postpartum recovery.
WHAT IS SURFSET FITNESS?
Shuyi: SURFSET Singapore is Asia’s first studio offering the SURFSET Fitness programme. Located in a historic shophouse in Joo Chiat, SURFSET Singapore promotes a healthy active lifestyle through unique exercises that are challenging, fun, and safe.
The SURFSET workout method is a revolutionary group fitness program inspired by the sport of surfing, created and developed in the USA. SURFSET is the world’s most unique workout, combining elements of aerobic fat burning, lean muscle build, balance, and core training into one fitness session, all performed on top of a custom-made unstable surfboard.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT A SURFSET FITNESS SESSION?
SURFSET Fitness sessions are highly dynamic and work out your entire body, so be prepared to sweat! It draws inspiration from the adventurous spirits of surfers, so expect many surf-inspired movements such as pop-ups, duck dives, and paddling. In fact, SURFSET Fitness is much more — we incorporate many fitness methods into our exercises, so expect to do yoga, pilates, PT, HIIT, and other moves on our boards.
We offer three class types — BALANCE classes have yoga elements and focus on breathing, flexibility, core strength and body control on the board. CORE classes focus primarily on building core strength and developing lean muscle in the whole body, incorporating Pilates moves and body weight exercises. SWEAT classes focus on building aerobic capacity, burning fat and pushing past plateaus with quick, high-intensity sprints.
New participants are required to start with Balance for their first class. Classes are 45 minutes long, and we like to keep things cosy in our studio with a maximum of ten participants per class. Each participant has his or her own board for the session, and follows the class programme as instructed by our very friendly, but somewhat merciless instructors (just kidding).
IS SURFSET A GOOD WORKOUT FOR MUMS?
Absolutely! SURFSET Fitness is a great way for the mommas who just popped to get back in shape. As for all mums, SURFSET Fitness’ focus on the core, lean muscle building, stamina, and aerobic performance is super helpful to keep up with and to take care of little ones.
We can also hold customized private sessions for mums with special requirements, and we’re trained to work with conditions such as diastasis recti and arthritis.
IS SURFSET SAFE FOR PREGNANT WOMEN?
Standard answer: it’s safe if your doctor says it’s safe.
Generally, we do not recommend pregnant women to join us in our public group classes, as there may be special exercise needs which we cannot address in a group setting. However, we have had many pregnant women enjoy training with us on the board. Our SURFSET instructor Shuyi was teaching and exercising on the board during her pregnancy, all the way until she delivered!
Ultimately, SURFSET Fitness can be an intensive core workout, so it is always best to check with your doctor.
5 REASONS WHY IT’S A GOOD ALTERNATIVE WORKOUT
1.It’s dynamic and fun!
Shake up your workout, literally! SURFSET Fitness is all about getting away from the traditional static fitness programs and challenging your body in new ways. Every exercise on the board is designed to engage your core, stabilise muscles and shock the system to create real change inside and out. PROGRESSION is the name of the game. Our workouts are designed with a built-in facility to continually challenge and push through plateaus. You will be amazed how quickly you can improve, even by the end of your first session!
2.It improves core strength, balance, and cardiovascular health
Everything stems from the core. SURFSET Fitness will turn your abs into a six-pack powerhouse through instability training that requires focus and control. Balance is an integral aspect of a SURFSET workout; there’s really no better way to train those stabilising muscles than atop a wobbly surf board. And doing intervals of high-intensity aerobic training on the board will build your endurance and torch body fat. We believe that short bursts of high energy are the most effective way to change the shape of your body without causing overuse injuries or allowing your system to adapt and plateau.
3.It builds you a surfer bod
A surfer is lean without looking weak, and muscular without the bulk. Sharp muscle lines are perfectly symmetrical, and overall body balance creates that enviable athletic physique. Paddling builds shoulder definition and strengthens the lower back muscles. Duck-diving builds arm strength, creating well defined triceps. The pop-up manoeuvre engages the core and pectoral muscles, and helps to build explosive power. And the actual process of standing on the surfboard increases leg strength, flexibility, and engages all the postural muscles.
SURFSET Fitness promotes compound and functional movements that challenge all the tiny little stabilisers in your body along with the major muscle groups. This shapes and sculpts toned, lean and strong muscles through your body, and revs up your metabolism. If you’re looking for a workout that builds up your muscles, SURFSET Fitness offers strength training coupled with a lot of fun! And don’t worry about getting a lot of bulk —SURFSET Fitness builds long, lean muscles that are nicely defined, without adding excessive bulk.
4.It’s low impact
SURFSET Fitness is high intensity but low impact, meaning you will get the physical benefits without damage or overuse of fragile joints. It also targets the core muscles without having to do over-exerting crunches and sit ups.
In fact, the SURFSET Board is a wonderful rehab tool for bad joints and tissue injuries under the guidance of a professional, and can also be a great way for pregnant women to exercise.
5.It’s challenging
Love yoga? Do it on the boards. Love HIIT? Do it on the boards! People have come to love how challenging it is to do their favourite exercises on our boards, and how it adds a whole new dimension of difficulty. Participants love how the board challenges their balance, bodies, and perceptions, and many are amazed at how even simple exercises such as push-ups can become so intense.
The instructors are multi-disciplinary experts, and love incorporating many different elements into our workouts to challenge even the most seasoned veterans. Expect everything from Pilates and dance, to weight and resistance training in our sessions! Everything is harder on the board!
Surfset Fitness Singapore
454B Joo Chiat Road, Singapore 427667, 3rd Storey
www.surfset.sg
