Gym Life in 2023: The Ups and Downs
It sounds like a Wednesday punch line, but 2023 has felt like a marathon for gyms, personal trainers, and all the fitness-freaks who keep the world moving.
New Rules, New Restrictions
On May 4th, the government rolled out a fresh batch of Covid‑19 restrictions that hit indoor gyms and fitness studios hard – these places are now deemed high‑risk and are forced to close from May 8th to May 30th.
- They’re the same gyms that scrambled to shut down back in 2020 when the pandemic first hit.
- Recent tightening has turned a lot of side‑hustle trainers into income‑losers.
- Even the boss‑style “spin & Pilates” gurus are now navigating a quiet, cash‑free period.
Absolute You’s Resilient Trainer
We sat down with Tiong Jia En, the fitness coach from boutique studio Absolute You, to find out how she’s handling the new Phase 2 “Heightened Alert” rules.
Despite not earning any money from her day‑job as a spin and Pilates trainer, Jia En says she’s keeping her spirits up. “There’s no reason to sweat it,” she jokes. “I’ve got a podcast now, and my clients are living on the couch – which means I can finally practice my comedy routines.”
In short, while the nation’s gyms are on pause, Jia En is pivoting to keep her passion alive. That resilience, humor, and an unstoppable grin might be the best cardio of all!
When the going gets tough, the tough get going
Meet JE, the 26‑Year‑Old Fitness Powerhouse Who Loves to Keep Things Light and Fun
JE—short for “Gym‑Enthusiast” to her followers—lets us peek inside her relaxed yet action‑packed routine. From slick client work to spontaneous workout vids, she’s got a perfect blend of chill vibes and sweat‑sweating sessions.
Morning: No Alarm, Just a Warm‑Up
- 9 a.m. – She wakes up when the sleep‑alarms stop bothering her. No early‑bird mandatory.
- Skin care, chill mode. Cleanse, moisturize, and guard against those sneaky UV rays that come through your TV and balcony windows.
- Breakfast time. Overnight oats topped with avocado toast. Breakfast tastes comfier when you’re up and humming to your favorite playlist.
Mid‑Morning Productivity: Posts, Pages, & Books
- 10 a.m. – Some quick Insta uploads followed by a deep dive into history, health, and motivation books. She’s a self‑made guru, ever eager to learn.
- Reading vibe. Never studied formal fitness, but she’s read about leaders, coaches, and the art of becoming the best version of yourself. Next pick: Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek.
Lunch: The “Fast‑Forward” Symptom
- 12 p.m. – Lunch is instant when you’re on a schedule. She loves experimenting with recipes but keeps options open: swing by a local hawker center, grab a fresh salad, or bring her own containers for zero waste.
- Shopping spree. On the way to Eunos, she scoops fresh veggies from a local market – no trash, just crisp greens.
Afternoon: House‑Stuff & Herbal Refresher
- 1 p.m. – Water those plants, tidy up, churn out laundry, and stir up a quick midnight juice. She recently turns basil into a zesty lemonade.
- 2 p.m. – Worktime – Filming workout videos, answering emails, or crafting future workout sequences. She’s reshaping her live‑stream strategy: fewer live runs, more record‑and‑share IGTV content.
Evening: Give Your Body a One‑Time Shake‑Up
- 5 p.m. – Her workout block. “One shower a day” is the rule—fifty‑fifty healthist balance. She switches between cardio, Pilates, stretching, boot‑camp belly‑squats, purely based on the mood.
- Test drive. When she’s not on camera, she tries out her own routine to gauge intensity—buy a test run before launching it as a class.
- Low‑key prep. She used to skip evening workouts while on full‑time work. Now, she streams IGTV readies in a single boost.
Night: Dinner, Wellness, & Quiet
- 6 p.m. – Cook her dinner at home. She’s choking on plant‑based soups—ABC or pumpkin, favorite health hounds that roll out quickly.
- Diet mastery. She’s “Phase 2” (Heightened Alert) happy to explore diverse diets—reading, experimenting, and discovers the digested truth of nutrition.
- 10 p.m. – She slips into bed by 11 p.m. She keeps digital devices away an hour before sleeping because “glowing screens can ruin the sleep quality.” Smart, right? Only if she wants a book, she picks the printed copy.
- Make‑up minimal. Brush off a quick cleanse, moisturize. If she’s in a shoot‑day skin – masks are a must.
And there you have it: a day in JE’s life—sun‑shiny, light, and fulfilling. From energizing workouts to food experiments, she’s turning fitness into a lifestyle, not a chore. This casual, real‑talk tradition might just inspire you to chase the same energy, anytime you feel off‑beat.
Sunset & Chill: My Night‑time Reset Routine
11 pm – the exact moment I’m about to kiss the day goodbye. I shut my eyes, hit play on some spa‑calm tracks, and let the world melt away. It’s like a mini‑vacation tucked into my bedroom.
A Quick Self‑Reflection
- Who did I become? Once I was a whirlwind of tasks, now I’m a calm thinker.
- What made me smile today? Small, bright moments – a joke from a friend, the sweet smell of coffee, or a brief stretch.
- What’s the verdict? Living a hectic life? Not for me.
Six Months Ago vs. Today
In the past half‑year my day was a nonstop sprint: deadlines, meetings, the endless scroll.
Now: I pause, breathe, and treat my evening like a “reset” button I genuinely enjoy. This shift? It’s a wave of quality‑of‑life improvement.
Feeling the Beat of “Chill”
Every time the music swells, I feel a gentle wave washing my stress away. I’ve traded the frantic rush for a relaxed groove and you can’t beat that.
