From Couch to Community: How One Evening Workout Changed My Life in Punggol

It was 6:45 PM on a Wednesday evening.
The golden sunset cast its glow over Punggol Waterway, the breeze carried the faint scent of the sea, and my sofa… well, my sofa was calling my name.

After a long day at work, the last thing I wanted to do was sweat in front of strangers. But a Facebook post I’d saved earlier in the week kept flashing in my mind:
“Join our friendly outdoor group workouts in Punggol. No experience needed—just come and have fun.”

I told myself, “Just try once. If I hate it, I never have to go back.”
I had no idea how much that one evening would change everything.

Life Before the Change

Before that day, my routine was painfully predictable:Work. Eat. Scroll. Sleep. I’d occasionally go for a jog, but the motivation never lasted more than a week. The thought of a “group workout” felt intimidating – surely everyone would be fitter, faster, stronger.I didn’t realise that what I really needed wasn’t just exercise… it was connection.

Stepping Into the Unknown

When I arrived at the meeting spot in Punggol, I was greeted by the sound of laughter. About eight people stood in a circle, chatting like old friends.

“Welcome! First time?” the coach asked with a warm smile.
“Yup… and I’m a little nervous,” I admitted.
“Don’t worry, just do your best and most importantly have fun. You’re here to enjoy yourself.”

The session started with light warm-ups. My heart raced not from the exercises, but from being out of my comfort zone.
Then came the partner drills. I paired with a woman named Mei, who cracked jokes between squats and made me forget I was exercising at all.

By the end of the session, I was sweaty, slightly out of breath… and smiling.

Why I Came Back

I didn’t expect to return the next week, but I did. And the week after that.

Here’s why:

My body felt better. I had more energy during the day and slept like a baby at night.
My mind felt clearer. The stress from work melted away with each session.
The sessions felt welcoming. No pressure to “keep up” — everyone focused on their own pace, and that made it less intimidating.

One Wednesday evening, I almost skipped. But then I thought about how good I’d feel after the workout — that post-session satisfaction was enough to get me out the door. And once I arrived, I was glad I showed up.