The hour-long evening runs, dubbed i-Run and initiated by the Health Promotion Board, are held once or twice a week. Once every two months, participants get free advice from professional trainers on running techniques and avoiding injuries. For more information, e-mail hpb_nhlp@hpb.gov.sg
Aerobics fans will enjoy Fitness@Work, a choreographed workout session suitable for all fitness levels. They are conducted by qualified fitness instructors and cost nothing.
The free hour-long sessions are held at Toa Payoh's HDB Hub on Tuesday evenings, at the Singapore River Promenade on Wednesdays and at the National Library Board in Victoria Street on Thursdays. Log on to www.hpb.gov.sg
21. Cheap check-ups
THE Singapore Cancer Society offers free clinical breast examinations to screen for breast cancer and free pap smears that can detect cervical cancer.
A screening test for colorectal cancer - that checks for blood in stool - is free for Singaporeans and permanent residents aged 50 and above. Log on to www.singaporecancersociety.org.sg for more details.
The Health Promotion Board offers several subsidised health screening programmes. Singaporeans and PRs aged between 50 and 69 can undergo mammograms to check for breast cancer at subsidised rates at most polyclinics. Singaporeans pay $50 a test, while PRs pay $75. The full fees for the test are $100.
In addition, women can also go for mammograms on the Mammobus, a mobile screening centre. Visit www.diagnostics.nhg.com.sg/services/mammobus_sch.asp for the schedule. Subsidised pap smears are also available at all polyclinics. Singaporean women pay $15, while PRs pay $22.50. The full fees are $40.
In yet another initiative - Integrated Screening Programme - Singaporeans aged 40 and above who have not been diagnosed with diabetes, high blood pressure or high blood cholesterol can get themselves tested for these conditions at various GP clinics. The blood test to check for sugar and cholesterol costs $8, excluding GST.
For the list of participating clinics, log on to www.hpb.gov.sg/chronicdiseases
22. Work this out
PERSONAL training sessions at mega chains such as California Fitness, Planet Fitness and Fitness First cost from $80 to $125 each session.
Gym rats who have two personal training sessions each week can end up forking out more than $700 on membership and coaching charges each month.
But getting into shape need not put a dent in your pocket. Try out the 15 ClubFITT gyms run by the Singapore Sports Council all over Singapore.
Admittedly, the heartland locations (available at www.ssc.gov.sg) are less posh. But they all come with qualified fitness instructors, up-to-date fitness equipment, free weights, stacked weights, cardiovascular machines, lockers and shower facilities.
Membership rates are less than half of those at the big clubs. A two-year membership at Planet Fitness, for example, averages $800 a year. At ClubFITT, a yearly membership costs $310 for adults and $190 for senior citizens and students.
If you do not want to commit to a membership, per-entry charges are $2.50. Individual training sessions cost up to 30 per cent less - between $50 and $80 an hour.
Singapore Fitness also has a list of certified trainers at www.sgfitness.com who charge $60 per session.
This article was first published in The Straits Times on July 5, 2008.
