I tried this female-friendly gym where sessions start only from $7

Book session via mobile app

Credit: SWW

1/8

Before booking any sessions, the first thing I had to do was to download the MyGymLab mobile app.

After all the mandatory account registration, you’ll be able to start browsing all the available outlets and their schedules/ timeslots. MyGymLab currently has 4 outlets:

Clementi West
Beauty World Centre
Roxy Square
Siglap Centre

You’ll want to check out your nearest MyGymLab’s availabilities before you commit to a plan. From what I’ve noticed, peak weekend morning slots are fully booked a week ahead of time, which is a bummer since there are lots of tuition centres in that vicinity and the mothers amongst us can make a beeline for this pay-as-you-go MyGymLab after dropping kids off.

And honestly, a gym session with some girlfriends followed by brunch sounds perfect actually.

However, for low-commitment ad hoc gym-goers like myself, I can’t book that far in advance. So, I’d prefer to book as I go. When you book ad hoc in the afternoons and evenings, there are plenty of sessions available.

Availability: 4/5 stars

I could get ad hoc gym sessions

Credit: SWW

2/8

Booking ad hoc sessions seems easy. This was me looking for tomorrow’s available sessions at Beauty World. Availabilities aplenty!

Sessions run by 30 mins (pretty short, to some) which is adequate for myself.

For regular MyGymLab members, a 30 min session costs $9 (up to 3 pax).

You’ll see in the screenshot above that my 30 min sessions cost $7 (up to 3 pax). I’m on the premium plan (add $13.90 per month) which gives me video workouts… and more importantly, cancellations. I’m using my account to workout and spend time with my partner and best friend.

When you’re sharing the account across 3 pax, the math kinda works out.

Price: 5/5 stars

Easy to get there

Credit: SWW

3/8

Beauty World Centre sounds pretty far-flung, but it isn’t. It’s actually a very idyllic and nostalgic estate stuck in the past. The area is best known for its good food, including late-night supper joints such as Al-Azhar, cafes, and lots of Korean BBQ restaurants.

Beauty World Centre is directly serviced by the Beauty World MRT station that’s connected to the blue Downtown Line. If you’re coming from the south, Beauty World can be pretty out of the way.

If you have a BlueSG car sharing membership, there are 4 Blue Car lots directly outside the main entrance. For drivers, there are plenty open air lots (please park properly, I bumped into a summon officer) and a sheltered Multi-Storey Car Park at $1.30 per hour across the board.

Accessibility: 3.5/5 stars

Finding MyGymLab was tricky

Credit: SWW

4/8

Before you set foot into the mall and get lost in the giant labyrinth that it is, read this. To get to MyGymLab, don’t enter Beauty World Centre.

Instead, find this open strip of walkway between Beauty World Centre and Beauty World Plaza, and walk up this way.

Turn left, you’ll find MyGymLab located on the outside right wing of Beauty World Centre.

Unlock door via mobile app

Credit: SWW

5/8

The MyGymLab private gym pod is completely unmanned (although there are CCTVs running for security purposes). You won’t find any gym staff to open the door for you.

The door has a digital lock. You’ll open the door via the mobile app.

It takes some patience and fumbling around with technology, but for someone who doesn’t enjoy small talk, the digital lock is perfect.

If you’re used to car sharing mobile apps such as BlueSG or GetGo, this will be a breeze for you.

Slim range of equipment

Credit: MyGymLab

6/8

This MyGymLab private gym pod in Beauty World Centre is pretty cosy and small – perhaps the size of a new BTO master bedroom.

It comes with a rack of dumb bells, weights, a pretty swanky hotel-esque treadmill, and body weight accessories such as Bosu balls.

What really caught my eye was the body fat, metabolism etc. machine (pictured on right in above image) which you can use for $7 per reading. The report is pretty extensive and long. It definitely looks helpful if you’re trying to go on a calorie deficit weight loss diet.

Central to this private gym pod are 2 interactive screens – the long one plays workout tutorials for you, while the smaller screen next to it houses a ton of tutorials teaching you how to use the equipments in the gym.

However, you won’t find all the fancy pantsy buffet of elliptical climbers, stationary bikes, leg presses, shoulder press machines here. I would imagine space to be the limiting factor.

You might find these machines in other MyGymLab outlets, so do go through the equipment list before you book to ensure they carry your favourite machine.

Equipment: 3.5/5 stars

You can bring 2 more friends along (for free!)

Credit: Laila White

7/8

Remember you could have a total of 3 persons in this MyGymLab space per booking?

Well, I opted for a personal trainer to tag along so she could teach me how to safely workout with weights and the equipments there.

I do suffer from a bad case of desk job-related hunched neck. I often get frozen neck and painful shoulders. It seems like an ever-recurring problem.

However, my personal trainer for the day, the renowned Laila White, accurately suggested that I work on my chest and upper back to improve my day-to-day posture. (Note: Look for Laila especially if you have health complications such as diabetes, surgeries etc.)

Unfortunately due to time constraints (work, childcare, and pet care!), I don’t often engage in personal training sessions. I usually go for one, note down all the necessary workouts, and work on these specific drills and exercises whenever I can.

I didn’t dare to bring my primary school girls in tow, but I checked in with MyGymLab’s founders and they said they were child-friendly. Yes, you can bring your kids and leave them in a corner as you get on with your workout programme. Although I would rather not, but hey, that’s a great option to have anyway.

For our fellow Muslimah readers, the exterior glass is fully frosted and you’ll be safe from prying eyes.

Inclusivity: 5/5 stars

Verdict?

Credit: Instagram @mygymlabsg

8/8

So, how did MyGymLab Beauty World fare overall?

Availability: 4/5 stars

Price: 5/5 stars

Accessibility: 3.5/5 stars

Equipment: 3.5/5 stars

Inclusivity: 5/5 stars

Will I return? Definitely. MyGymLab’s concept is low-commitment, free and easy, and I don’t feel pressurised to “make the most of my money”. I top up a small amount, say $30 or $50 and use it up.

Even if I don’t feel like working out too hard, but my partner wants to have a go on the treadmill, it makes sense too.

Most importantly, the privacy that MyGymLab offers is what is most attractive.

This article was originally published on Singapore Women's Weekly.