NSmen can fulfill fitness training requirements via virtual workouts

Operationally ready national servicemen (NSmen) can fulfil their annual fitness training requirements from the comfort of their homes through virtual workouts soon.  

The Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) announced that the NS Fitness Improvement Training (FIT) will launch its virtual workouts over video conferencing platforms from next Monday (Jul 12).

Each NS FIT@Home session will allow up to 45 NSmen to participate with at least two fitness trainers monitoring their safety and performance. 

NSmen can register on the NS Portal from Wednesday (Jul 7) for the hour-long sessions. 

Those who have registered will receive a link via email. There will be two sessions conducted daily except on Fridays. The sessions are from 12.30pm to 1.30pm and 6.30pm to 7.30pm.

NSmen can attend nine NS FIT @ Home sessions for their 10-session NS FIT annual requirement. The 10 sessions include an individual physical proficiency test (IPPT) which must be taken in person.

NS FIT@Home sessions are similar in duration to other NS FIT programmes and count towards its 10-session annual requirement. 

“This virtual option aims to provide more flexibility and make it more convenient for NSmen to participate in, while maintaining comparable standards of training and safety to other NS FIT activities,” said Colonel Lim Han Yong, head of the National Service Affairs Department, in a press release. 

MINDEF also stated that NSmen can do NS FIT@Home sessions wherever as long as the environment is safe, they have at least two by two metres of space and stable Internet connection.

Measures to ensure participants’ safety include filling in a declaration form about their workout location, emergency contact, health status and to verify that their environment is free of hazards. 

Cameras have to be turned on and participants must be fully visible at all times. 

Throughout the session, participants had to engage with the instructor by giving a thumbs up sign, and feedback was given on participants’ performance. 

Previously, NSmen had to attend NS FIT trainings physically at 42 locations in Singapore, such as Singapore Armed Forces camps, SAFRA gyms and some public parks.