5 Ways to Detox and Shape Up

If you’re feeling the sluggish after-effects of two-odd months of parties and indulgence, it’s time to snap back to a fresher you that’s ready to take on the rest of the year. For a country packed to the rafters with a tempting array of good food, Singapore also has (luckily) many options for detoxing and getting into shape. We’ve rounded up a selection to help you get started, ranging from quick fixes to longer-term fitness solutions.

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Detox in a Day
Want a quick fix? Many of the best spas around town offer detoxifying body treatments that will alleviate some of the bloat.

Spa Esprit’s Cheeky Chai Detox Treatment ($235 for 105 minutes) aids in cleansing toxins in your body, using a combination of lymphatic draining massage and the curative powers of Dead Sea mineral mud. The massage begins with Spa Esprit’s aromatherapy blend of cardamom, cinnamon and clove, followed by a warm mineral and paraffin wax mud wrap. You’ll be apt to feel like a human candle as you lie there, but just think of the minerals working their magic to accelerate cell metabolism and regulate water balance, as well as the soothing and moisturising effects of the paraffin.

Estheva Spa
 

Over at Estheva Spa, the Sparomatic Detox Package ($282, before GST, for 110 minutes) promises to have you stepping out feeling rejuvenated. The treatment consists of four components: Seaweed Full Body Polish; Purifying HydroTherapy; Aromatic Body Wrap; and Detoxifying Body Rub. Rich in seaweed nutrients, the body polish gently exfoliates to remove dead skin cells and stimulate blood circulation, prepping your body for optimum detoxification results. You can bid your stresses goodbye as you take in the relaxing scents of various essential oils in the Aromatic Body Wrap, and by the time you’re done with the final step of a body rub, you should be feeling positively refreshed.

Don’t forget to drink plenty of water after each detox treatment, to aid in the flushing out of toxins.

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Energy Surge
If you’re looking for a class that marries fitness with fun, check out Fairmont Singapore’s Willow Stream Boot Camp. The month-long, team-oriented fitness class is comprised of a combination of cardiovascular training, muscle strength and endurance programmes, designed to burn fat, improve strength and stamina, sculpt your body, and (hopefully) relieve some stress in the process. As its name suggests, the Willow Stream Boot Camp is no walk in the park, but you know what they say – no pain, no gain. There are three sessions per week, and for the real troupers who complete all 12 sessions, a 60-minute massage is the light at the end of the tunnel. The programme is priced at $350nett per person, while individual classes cost $25 (before GST).

Slow and Steady
Buying yourself a fitness centre membership is probably your best bet in sustaining a healthy lifestyle (provided you don’t fall off the wagon mid-way).

Updog Studio
 

Hot yoga is known for its benefits of detoxification, as it encourages the body to sweat out toxins. Boutique hot yoga space, Updog Studio, offers a range of classes (both hot and non-hot), and if you’re new to yoga, try Hot 26 – this traditional hot yoga incorporates 26 postures and two breathing exercises, and students will benefit from improved body flexibility and the release of toxins. Practicing yoga in a hot room can be taxing on your body, so be sure to prepare yourself accordingly. “Stay hydrated throughout the day, avoid food and caffeine two to three hours before the class. Morning classes will aid detoxification most,” advises Betty Kong, partner and instructor at Updog Studio. And in light of the recent controversy on yoga-related injuries, Kong offers this tip: “Yoga is about learning about one’s body and building awareness. It is important that we honour what our bodies can and cannot do; go at your own level and learn not to push beyond the limit.”

Pure Fitness at Asia Square

The newly opened Pure Fitness at Asia Square boasts state-of-the-art fitness equipment, including a dedicated athletic area with a 4 x 35m indoor running track, a mixed martial arts zone, and an endless swimming pool. At 32,000 square feet, it’s one of the largest fitness clubs in Singapore, and there is a wide variety of fitness options so you can find one that suits you. Pure Fitness offers over 130 classes weekly, some of which are open to non-members, so you can test the water if you’re not quite ready to commit to a membership yet. Ben Salter, fitness manager at Pure Fitness advocates setting simple, short-term achievable goals, so you can build on them to reach your ultimate goal.

Regardless of what activity you choose, it’s all about getting yourself moving. Take it from Salter: “To increase one’s overall activity is definitely recommended. This doesn’t all have to be done in the gym – walking the dog more often or even an outdoor activity is a great idea and with outdoor venues such as East Coast Park. They are in abundance!”

Where to go:
Spa Esprit at Beauty Emporium, 8D Dempsey Road, Tel: 6476 0070
Estheva Spa, #03-25 ION Orchard, Tel: 6509 3900
Willow Stream at Fairmont Singapore, 80 Bras Basah Road, Tel: 6431 5600
Updog Studio, #02-05A Playground @ Big Splash, Tel: 6440 0282
Pure Fitness, Level 6 Asia Square Tower 1, Tel: 6100 2233