More people opt to exercise in gyms due to haze

More people opt to exercise in gyms due to haze
By Vimita Mohandas

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	Video More people opt to exercise in gyms due to haze

 
SINGAPORE : With the haze surrounding Singapore this week, more people are opting to hit the gyms instead of exercising outdoors.

The 3-hour PSI reading hit a high of 108 at 6pm on Thursday.

At 6pm on Friday, the 3-hour PSI was in the moderate range at 79.

One gym said more members have been streaming in since last weekend. That was when the haze entered the moderate range.

Fitness First recorded a three per cent rise in average traffic at its outlets in the past two days alone.

And judging from past experience when Singapore was hit by the haze, they expect to see an increase of gym users if the situation persists.

Sarah See, marketing manager, Fitness First, said: "When the haze situation was very bad in 2006, we saw a lot of members coming more frequently to the gym.

"I think one of the reasons why - is because a lot of people who usually workout outside - for example, triathletes who usually do long runs outside - have to come in (to) the gym right now due to the haze level."

Phebe Mathews is among one of those who has increased her visits to the gym since the haze started.

She said: "Last week, I think I was here for four times and it's better because it's cooler and you're shielded from the haze, and less health problems. If I run outside, I feel more breathless. So if I run here, it's so much better."

But there are those who still prefer to run outdoors.

The organiser of this Sunday's Nike City 10K run has said it will go on unless the PSI level exceeds 200 or the National Environment Agency (NEA) advises otherwise.

- CNA/al

- wong chee tat :)