The Health Promotion Board’s Health Promoting Malls Programme effectively helps citizens lead a healthy lifestyle but its workouts lack proper safety measures, among other drawbacks.

 

Various healthy living programmes by The Health Promoting Board (HPB) islandwide cater to many citizens but in order to effectively reach a wider audience with safe and productive workouts, more can be done. Started in 2017, The Health Promoting Malls (HPM) Programme carries out weekly workouts at participating malls to encourage an active lifestyle. These workouts boost great participation rates but proper safety measures and marketing tactics for the programme are lacking.

 

One of the main attraction points is that the workouts are free, but accuracy of steps and safety are compromised. Junction 8 is one of the malls islandwide that carries out free weekly Kpopx Fitness sessions.

 

Ms Valentina Ng, a 50-year-old participant, said: “Some strokes you may not catch it and may injure yourself. You come here mainly to sweat but if you want real workout and really work your muscles, you really have to pay to get the right strokes.”

 

The only safety precaution is at the beginning of each session, where an audio reminds participants about precautions to take such as following their own pace and stopping to take a breath if needed. During the workout, the instructor does the steps in front of the class while participants follow.

 

Infrequent social media users may be unfamiliar with the HPM Programme, where partnering malls also promote a smoke-free lifestyle and healthier eating options. Many find out about it only through Facebook.

 

According to Meygan Chang, a Kpopx Fitness instructor, advertisements are “all online” and “malls can have more advertisements so those walking past can see.”

 

Despite drawbacks, some are satisfied with the programme. 

 

Ms Aileen Tee, an Operations Executive, attends the Junction 8 Kpopx Fitness session weekly. The 49-year-old said: “I find the activity very good, I stay nearby so it’s convenient.” The mall workouts are productive and like other participants, she was dripping with sweat by the end of the session, “I feel better about myself and more youthful after the workouts.”

 

Having Kpop at these workout sessions also attracts many fans. The session involves arm and leg movements accompanied by Korean songs, a music genre that has been increasing in popularity. 

 

Ms Chang said: “I lead Kpopx Fitness mainly because it is very in. It’s a very good aerobics workout to burn a lot of calories and have fun. The participation rate for Kpopx would also be higher [than other fitness activities]”.

 

The HPM Programme aims to encourage the local community to lead a healthy lifestyle through products, services and workouts from partnering shopping malls.