Draconian Trainer Fumes After Gym Coach Stops Rows, ActiveSG Calls It a Safety Hazard

Danie Dharma Takes a Stand Against ActiveSG’s Dark Gym Rules

Picture this: you’re crushing a solid set of T‑bar rows at your local gym, when the floor trainer swoops in and says “hold up, you’re not allowed to do that here. It’ll damage the equipment.” Sounds like a cliffhanger from a sitcom, right? Well, that’s precisely what happened to Danie Dharma, former Mr. Singapore and personal‑trainer extraordinaire, at an ActiveSG branch in Clementi.

The “Blocked T‑Bar” Incident

Scenario: Danie was mid‑pump, pulling the weighted bar up, when the trainer interrupted.
Trainer’s Claim: “You can’t do T‑bar rows here; it will damage the equipment.”
Danie’s Response: “What? You can’t break a barbell by pulling it! It’s built for that.”

In a candid TikTok clip that went viral, Dharma called out the gym’s “backward, ridiculous draconian rules” and directed the frustration toward the management, not the trainer.

Why T‑Bar Rows Aren’t “Damaging” the Equipment

A T‑bar row pulls you up by grabbing the weighted end of a barbell. Normally you’d do it on a landmine or a specialized T‑bar machine. Dharma used a corner of the four‑machine cable station, securely placing the other end of the barbell. He ran the exercise “with strict form” and didn’t feel any need to add extra safeguards.

He points out that with 21 years of bodybuilding experience across almost every Singapore gym, “ActiveSG is the only place that’s still stuck in the 1980s.”

2022 Calls for 2023 Rules

Frustration at the Floor Trainer: The trainer was polite but never told Danie why the exercise would ruin the equipment.
A Call to Modernize: “It’s 2022, you guys should be out of the 1980s. Stop putting pointless rules that inconvenience people.”
Contrast with Other Gyms: “Other gyms have no such rules. Why keep a stance that’s only relevant to de‑facto malfunctioning machinery?”

Final Takeaway

Muscle‑building isn’t about being a counterfeit robot—it’s about proper form, consistency, and equipment safety. Danie’s message is this: if you’re not causing damage, don’t restrict great workouts with impossible rules. The next time you feel an odd restriction in the gym, remember Dharma’s stand and question if it’s about safety or just old‑school nonsense.

Safety hazard

ActiveSG Cautions on “T-Bar” Home‑Gym Modifications

A Sport Singapore spokesperson recently explained why the popular body‑builder, Dharma, was told to stop his T‑bar routine at a local gym. The issue? The exercise was being carried out on a make‑shift setup that wasn’t meant for that workout.

What Went Wrong?

The barbell was simply wedged in front of a multi‑gym station instead of sitting in a proper T‑bar row machine.
This improvised arrangement left the bar’s pivot point loose and unanchored.
Because the equipment wasn’t securely fixed, the lifting motion became unstable.
Repeated use damaged the base of the multi‑gym station, creating a safety risk for both the user and other patrons.

Sport Singapore emphasised that the reliance on unapproved gear can lead to serious injuries—an outcome no one wants.

ActiveSG’s Stance

ActiveSG, a national movement backed by Sport Singapore, follows a “cured & safe” system of rules that matches other premium gyms in the country. Here’s what the spokesperson added:

They recognise Dharma’s enthusiasm for T‑bar exercises.
They encourage him to use official T‑bar equipment at sanctioned ActiveSG locations.
Suggested venues include Jurong East Sport Centre gym and ActiveSG Park @ Jurong Lake Gardens.

Bottom line: avoid DIY ‘T‑bar’ setups that compromise both your fitness goals and the safety of everyone around.

Gym Safety 101: A Quick Chat with ActiveSG

Hey fitness fam! For those who love to hit the gym, there’s a friendly extra‑step from our superstar spokesperson: “We’re all about good vibes and safe moves—so grab the right gear and follow the right form.”

Why This Matters

Stay Injury‑Free: Proper technique keeps those pesky strains at bay.
Create a Chill Zone: When everyone uses the equipment correctly, the whole gym feels more relaxed.
Enjoy More: A safe environment means you can focus on crushing your goals—not on mishaps.

And guess what? The plan doesn’t stop here. The spokesperson sweetly added, “We’ll keep checking and updating the rulebook, but safety is top‑priority.” So, keep that in mind next time you press play on your playlist.

Quick Tips for a Safer Workout

Start with a proper warm‑up—think of it as a pre‑scene for your workout movie.
Use the right equipment; no improv with awkward makeshift rigs.
Check your form before dropping the weight—think of it as a safety inspection.
Stay hydrated; sip, not splash.
Don’t rush; pace yourself like you’re preparing for a marathon, not a sprint.

With these nuggets, you’ll rock the gym safely and enjoyably. Stay tuned for more updates from ActiveSG—because your safety is the headline act in our story!

Ban on posing

When Gyms Play Hide‑and‑Seek With Rules

A TikTok Drama at Anytime Fitness

It all began with a quick TikTok clip from Dorlisa Leong, a 23‑year‑old student who shared the oddly specific detail that the Anytime Fitness gym in Choa Chu Kang had supposedly banned “posing in front of mirrors.” While Dorlisa’s confession that a tight‑fitted shirt isn’t her thing was clear, her real question was: Why bother with such a rule at all?

The Mirror Dilemma

She claims “doing a full‑body pose in front of a mirror feels awkward.”
Members were told they’d need to sign a “no shirtless” agreement—or risk being banned.
The gym straight up responded with a silent silence when interviewed by AsiaOne.

Picture this: You’re jacked, pumping and want to feel the burn. The mirror’s your best friend, not a judge. But according to the rules, the gym’s turning the mirror into an enforcement camera that captures your disposition—every flex, every collective sigh.

Why Fans Are Frowning

Gym-goers are used to a place that encourages body positivity and personal comfort. The shining silver of the mirror, meant to motivate, is now being viewed by a “rule squad.” Dorlisa and others felt it was a nonsense policy, flopping between humor and frustration. They’re asking whether these rules help them or just create confusion.

Inside the Gym’s Polite Pinky‑Promise

When reporters called, the gym’s representative refused to comment, adding to the mystery. The lack of clarity over why a mirror pose might be “dangerous” or “unacceptable” has left the gym poked and scratched for an official stance—something fans are asking for, like a “Shooting Stars” official Instagram post.

Looking Forward

Amid these drama vibes, gym-goers are hoping for a clear and kind policy update from the management. They want the time to work out comfortably and not feel judged or frayed at the countertop. Until the gym provides a friendly handbook or a TikTok FAQ, the mystery will linger—and the mirrors will keep reflecting unwelcome silence.

Draconian Trainer Fumes After Gym Coach Stops Rows, ActiveSG Calls It a Safety Hazard