There are three real ways to use a gym for free in Singapore. Singapore citizens aged 65 and above enter every ActiveSG gym and pool free. New ActiveSG members who are citizens or permanent residents get S$100 in credits, which pays for 40 gym visits. And outdoor fitness corners in parks and housing estates cost nothing for anyone.
Everything else that is advertised as free is a trial, and a trial is paid for in time and sales pressure.
The options compared
| Option | Who gets it | What it is worth | The catch |
|---|---|---|---|
| ActiveSG free entry | Singapore citizens aged 65 and above | Unlimited gym and pool entry | Citizens only |
| ActiveSG S$100 credits | New, eligible members who are citizens or PRs | 40 gym entries at S$2.50, or 100 weekday swims at S$1.00 | One-time; it runs out |
| Fitness corners | Anyone | Pull-up bars, parallel bars and simple machines outdoors | No weights to add; heat and rain |
| Commercial free trial | New prospects | One visit, sometimes a week | Ends with a membership pitch |
| First-booking discount at a private pod | New users of The Gym Pod | 50% off one booking | Half price, not free |
- Who gets it
- Singapore citizens aged 65 and above
- What it is worth
- Unlimited gym and pool entry
- The catch
- Citizens only
- Who gets it
- New, eligible members who are citizens or PRs
- What it is worth
- 40 gym entries at S$2.50, or 100 weekday swims at S$1.00
- The catch
- One-time; it runs out
- Who gets it
- Anyone
- What it is worth
- Pull-up bars, parallel bars and simple machines outdoors
- The catch
- No weights to add; heat and rain
- Who gets it
- New prospects
- What it is worth
- One visit, sometimes a week
- The catch
- Ends with a membership pitch
- Who gets it
- New users of The Gym Pod
- What it is worth
- 50% off one booking
- The catch
- Half price, not free
Free entry from 65
ActiveSG's help site states that Singapore citizens aged 65 and above enjoy free entry to ActiveSG swimming pools and gyms. No pass purchase is needed. You scan your NRIC at the entrance.
That covers 30 gyms across the island, at every opening hour. The rule applies to citizens only. Permanent residents and other residents aged 55 and above pay the senior rate of S$1.50 a visit instead.
If you are in this group and new to training, our guide to gyms for seniors in Singapore covers which gyms have machines that start light.
S$100 in ActiveSG credits
ActiveSG gives a one-time top-up of S$100 in credits to new, eligible members who are Singapore citizens or permanent residents. Its help site says the credits should appear in your MyActiveSG+ account on your first login.
The credits work like money inside ActiveSG. You can use them to offset gym and swim passes, facility bookings and programmes, at the point of payment in MyActiveSG+.
Here is what S$100 buys at the rates on the ActiveSG individual rates page.
| Use | Unit price | What S$100 covers |
|---|---|---|
| Gym single entry, adult | S$2.50 | 40 visits |
| Normal pool, adult, weekday | S$1.00 | 100 swims |
| MyActiveGYM off-peak, 12 months | S$80 | A full year, with S$20 left |
| MyActiveGYM peak, 1 month | S$30 | 3 months, with S$10 left |
The third row is the one to notice. If you can train on weekdays before 4pm, the credit pays for a year of unlimited off-peak gym access at every ActiveSG gym and leaves S$20 for swims.
One caution: the help page that describes the S$100 top-up was last updated about two years ago. If the credits do not appear on your first login, ask ActiveSG before you assume you have them.
Fitness corners
Parks and public housing estates across Singapore have outdoor fitness corners with pull-up bars, parallel bars, sit-up benches and simple body-weight machines. They are free and open to all at any hour.
They are better than their reputation. Pull-ups, dips, push-ups, rows on a low bar, split squats and step-ups cover most of the body. What a fitness corner lacks is adjustable load. Once 12 repetitions feel easy, you have to slow the movement, add a pause or carry a loaded backpack.
Our guide to getting fit in Singapore on almost no budget builds a full week around free facilities, and our 20-minute home strength routine covers the days it rains.
Free trials at commercial gyms
Many gym chains advertise a free trial. Read it as a sales appointment that includes a workout.
That is fine if you are choosing a gym. Use the trial properly: go at the hour you would normally train, count how many people are waiting for the racks, and ask for the price in writing before you leave. Do not sign on the day. Our guide to whether a gym membership is worth it in Singapore covers the questions to ask.
It is a poor deal if you only wanted a free session. An hour of your time and a hard sell cost more than S$2.50.
What "nearly free" looks like
If you fit none of the free groups, the public gym is still close to free.
- A single entry is S$2.50, or S$1.50 for students and senior citizens.
- An off-peak monthly pass is S$15, or S$9 for students and senior citizens.
- A swim is S$1.00 on a weekday at a normal pool.
Our guide to pay-per-use gyms in Singapore has the full price table, and walk-in gyms in Singapore lists all 30 public gyms.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a free gym in Singapore?
Yes, for some people. Singapore citizens aged 65 and above enter every ActiveSG gym free. Outdoor fitness corners are free for everyone.
How do I get the S$100 ActiveSG credits?
ActiveSG says new, eligible members who are citizens or permanent residents receive a one-time S$100 top-up, shown in MyActiveSG+ on first login.
What can ActiveSG credits pay for?
Gym and swim passes, sport facility bookings, ActiveSG programmes and Active Health programmes.
Are free gym trials really free?
They cost no money. Expect a membership pitch at the end.
How much is ActiveSG if I do not qualify for free entry?
S$2.50 a visit for adult citizens and permanent residents, S$1.50 for students and senior citizens, and S$3.30 at the standard rate.
Sources
- What programmes and concessions are available for seniors?, ask.gov.sg
- Who will receive the $100 ActiveSG credits when logging in to MyActiveSG+?, ask.gov.sg
- What can I use ActiveSG Credits for?, ask.gov.sg
- ActiveSG Circle: Individual Rates, activesgcircle.gov.sg
- Pricing, thegympod.com
Spot an error or have a product we should test? We read every note.
Get in touch
