Former employees of True Fitness and True Yoga in Singapore received targeted job-matching support on September 17, nearly a week after the fitness chains abruptly ceased operations. The session, held at the Devan Nair Institute for Employment and Employability in Jurong East, was organised jointly by the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) Employment and Employability Institute (e2i), the National Instructors and Coaches Association (NICA), and the Singapore Manual & Mercantile Workers’ Union (SMMWU).
Close to 40 affected workers attended the event, which offered access to more than 100 job openings from over 60 companies via on-site recruitment and online listings. The session also provided guidance on workplace matters, with representatives from SMMWU available to support union members among the former employees.
One fitness instructor, who declined to be named, described the session as valuable in helping him explore different career options within the fitness industry after six years of experience, including a four-year stint as a trainer with the Singapore Armed Forces. Another attendee, project executive Arivinthan Rajanthran, who has been in the fitness sector for 11 years, said the event helped alleviate anxieties by facilitating direct interaction with potential employers such as ASES. Both attendees expressed appreciation for the outreach and support during this uncertain period.
The closures of True Fitness and True Yoga outlets on September 10 left hundreds of employees and freelance instructors suddenly without work. According to reports from those affected, the announcement came via a company email sent late in the evening of the closure date, informing staff that all outlets would be shut immediately.
True Fitness and True Yoga are part of the True Singapore Group, owned by Kontafarma China Holdings, a Hong Kong-listed company. Kontafarma’s financial disclosures revealed that the Singapore business recorded revenues of approximately HK$81.2 million (S$29.4 million) but posted a loss of about HK$34.3 million for the year ending December 31, 2025. The group’s liabilities significantly exceeded its assets, with net liabilities reported at around HK$405.8 million as of year-end. The parent company also disclosed ongoing liquidity challenges and confirmed an outstanding loan of about S$2.3 million backed by Kontafarma.
Records show that True Fitness Singapore, incorporated in 1997, is currently undergoing voluntary liquidation, with insolvency practitioners from RSM SG Corporate Advisory appointed as provisional liquidators. Extraordinary general meetings for both True Fitness and True Yoga are scheduled for October 7 to propose resolutions for creditors’ voluntary winding-up, followed by creditors’ meetings.
Although True Fitness and True Yoga are non-unionised, some workers were SMMWU members, prompting the union to call on the companies to collaborate in supporting affected employees. Eligible Singapore citizens and permanent residents may also access temporary financial assistance of up to S$6,000 over six months through the SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support scheme.
The Singapore Fitness Alliance (SFA), in partnership with NICA and e2i, has been actively assisting over 200 impacted workers and freelancers. By mid-September, SFA reported that 32 companies had expressed interest in hiring displaced employees, and job opportunities were being circulated among association members, which include prominent fitness chains such as Fitness First, Virgin Active, Anytime Fitness, and Yoga Movement.
Meanwhile, the Consumers Association of Singapore reported receiving 241 complaints by the evening of September 11, involving aggregate losses exceeding S$609,000 due to unused memberships and packages following the closures. Former employees and their families face considerable uncertainty as recovery efforts continue.