A growing number of older adults in Singapore are turning to strength training to maintain physical independence and improve daily living activities, according to trainers and gym operators. This trend reflects a shift in focus from general fitness to building functional strength among the aging population.
One example is 72-year-old Alice Chia, who began strength training in June 2024 after struggling with basic tasks such as squatting and lifting light grocery bags. Initially gifted the sessions by her daughter, Alice and her husband Philip, 73, later committed to regular training at Surge Strength & Results, a personal training gym. Under the guidance of senior personal trainer Khor Seong King, Alice now performs exercises such as a 32kg farmer’s carry and a 90-second dead hang, which have eased everyday tasks including grocery shopping and household chores. The couple lives in a two-room Housing Board flat in eastern Singapore and manages without domestic help.
Fitness centres have noted a notable rise in older clients seeking strength training. Stoic Strength, located in Singapore’s Central Business District, reported a 120% increase in clients in their 60s and 70s compared to four years ago. Owner and head coach Daphne Loo attributes this growth partly to referrals from existing clients concerned about their elderly relatives’ muscle loss and mobility. Unlike typical senior-friendly exercise programs that rely on hydraulic or pneumatic machines for gentler workouts, these sessions offer customized one-on-one training focused on building muscle strength and joint mobility.
Loo highlights that older adults do not pursue strength training for aesthetic reasons or sports achievements, but to regain functionality and enhance quality of life. One of her clients, 71-year-old homemaker Lim Lean Ee, recently competed in her first powerlifting event after 18 months of training.
Similarly, Move Private Fitness, which opened two studios in mid-2026 at Tanjong Pagar and River Valley, reports that over 40% of its new clients are aged 50 or above. Surge’s Khor noted an increase from zero clients over 60 in 2021 to about 30 currently. Many older clients are motivated by the desire to remain independent, travel, or engage actively with family, especially grandchildren. They recognize that walking and cardio alone may not suffice to maintain strength and look to targeted resistance training for long-term benefits.
National data reflects the growing interest in fitness among older adults. In the first half of 2025, approximately 14,000 individuals aged 50 and above visited Sport Singapore’s 28 gyms weekly. However, no previous figures were provided for comparison.
The rise in senior strength training coincides with Singapore officially becoming a super-aged society in 2026, with 21.4% of citizens aged 65 and older. Sarcopenia, the age-related decline in muscle mass and strength, affects 27% to 32% of community-dwelling older adults, increasing risks of frailty and falls. Neville Koh, senior physiotherapist at Parkway Rehab @ Royal Square, emphasizes that while many older people engage in walking or low-impact exercises, these primarily enhance cardiovascular health rather than muscular strength. As aging naturally reduces muscle mass and overall physical efficiency, preserving and improving strength becomes increasingly challenging but essential for extending healthspan—the period of life spent in good health.