Living in an HDB flat doesn’t mean you have to give up on your fitness goals. In fact, you don’t even need a large space or fancy equipment to stay active. With a little creativity and consistency, you can easily turn your living room, bedroom, or even your corridor into a mini workout zone.
Here are smart and simple ways to stay fit and energized without ever leaving your HDB flat.
1. Do Bodyweight Workouts (No Equipment Needed)
Bodyweight exercises like squats, lunges, push-ups, and planks are perfect for small spaces. You only need a yoga mat’s worth of room and they give you a full-body burn.
Tip: Use free fitness apps like Nike Training Club or YouTube channels like Chloe Ting and Pamela Reif for guided sessions.
2. Use Your Stairs or Corridor
If you live near the staircase or have a shared corridor, use them to your advantage.
Walk or jog up and down the stairs for cardio
Do step-ups using low steps or platforms
Use corridor space for walking lunges or skipping rope (if allowed)
Note: Be considerate of your neighbours and keep noise to a minimum.
3. Turn Chores into Workouts
Who said housework doesn’t count as exercise?
Vacuuming, mopping, and sweeping are great for burning calories
Add some squats while folding laundry
Dance while doing the dishes (yes, seriously!)
This is a fun way to sneak movement into your routine without even thinking about it.
4. Join Virtual Fitness Classes
Many Singapore gyms and studios now offer Zoom or IG Live classes you can follow from home—think Zumba, HIIT, yoga, or Pilates.
Local Options to Check Out:
ActiveSG
Fitness First SG
Anytime Fitness online programs
Pure Yoga livestreams
5. Invest in Compact Home Equipment
Living in an HDB flat means storage is limited, but there are compact tools that don’t take up much space:
Resistance bands
Yoga mat
Adjustable dumbbells
Kettlebell
Jump rope
Step box
Even with just resistance bands, you can get a full-body strength workout.
6. Use the “Pomodoro Fitness” Method
If you work from home, use the Pomodoro technique to break your day into 25-minute work sessions, followed by 5-minute “active breaks.”
Ideas for active breaks:
Stretch
10 squats
20 jumping jacks
Walk around the flat
Shoulder and neck rolls (great for desk workers!)
7. Make Movement a Habit
Set daily step goals using your smartwatch or phone
Put reminders on your phone to move every hour
Challenge yourself: 100 squats a day or a 30-day yoga streak
The key to staying active in a small space is building habits that last.
Living in an HDB flat doesn’t have to limit your ability to stay fit. With smart planning, creative workouts, and a little dedication, you can easily stay active and healthy without leaving your home.
So roll out your mat, put on your favourite playlist, and make your HDB flat your personal wellness studio!
