Take the first step towards a healthy lifestyle at the Hub

Oon Jin Teik (third from left), chief operating officer, Singapore Sports Hub, and Colin Chan (second from left), chief marketing officer, Great Eastern, cheering on participants at the Singapore Sports Hub's Stepper media launch. Photo: SINGAPORE SPORTS HUB

Fitness enthusiasts looking for a fresh challenge can now work up a sweat at the National Stadium in a FIT-stepper programme rolled out by the Singapore Sports Hub.

The initiative helps participants to cope with the demands of stair-climbing and - for the most gung-ho - attain the physical conditioning to climb up and down more than 3,000 steps at the stadium.

At the end of the programme - held twice weekly from today to Sept 26 - the organisers hope to attract 4,000 people to sign up for the Singapore Sports Hub Stepper challenge on Oct 3.

Oon Jin Teik, chief operating officer, Singapore Sports Hub, said: "The Sports Hub Stepper will be a community event for the elite to the novice, with a sports carnival showcasing Experience Sports offerings for participants of all ages to enjoy after a long hike."

He added that July 26 also marks a year since the Sports Hub was launched and the idea of making the Hub accessible and relevant to both elite athletes and everyday fitness buffs ties-in with the legacy plans for the Hub.

During the programme, participants can train with the Singapore Women's Everest Team - Jane Lee, Sim Yihui, Joanne Soo, Lee Peh Gee, Lee Li Hui and Esther Tan - who are also Stepper Ambassadors for the Oct 3 event.

Tan said: "Through our years of training for Mount Everest (the team conquered the mountain in 2009) and other mountains, we've experienced first-hand the benefits of stair-climbing to build up physical fitness.

"We hope that our partnership with the Sports Hub will bring to others this simple yet powerful way of keeping fit."

Sponsored by insurance group Great Eastern, sportswear company Compressport and Kallang Wave Mall, the Oct 3 event features four categories - Community Fun Stepper (13 years and over), Kids Climb (7-12 years old), Competitive Speed Stepper (17 years and above) and Competitive Enduro Stepper (17 years and above).

Registration fees range from $10 to $20. Participants will have to complete a stepper course, from about 350 steps for the Kids Climb to 3,000 in the Competitive Enduro Stepper category.

Colin Chan, chief marketing officer of Great Eastern, said: "As a founding partner and official insurance partner of the Sports Hub, Great Eastern is pleased to come on board to support the Singapore Sports Hub Stepper.

"We champion healthy living through sport and our sponsorship of the Stepper is an exciting addition to our portfolio of major sporting events which include the Great Eastern Women's Run and Great Eastern-Yeo's S. League."


This article was first published on July 9, 2015.
Get a copy of The Straits Times or go to straitstimes.com for more stories.