Commuters Can Choose To Complete 20 Squats Within 40 Seconds For Free MRT Rides

Here are two facts about Singaporeans:

One, we L-O-V-E deals, discounts, vouchers—anything to do with saving money, just name it, and most of us are in.

And two, we are pretty sedentary as a people and we know it.

Number 2 is a problem and can lead to health issues like heart disease, obesity, depression, back pain and a host of other things.

The solution?

Take advantage of number 1 to solve number 2.

And recently, insurance company Prudential has found a creative way to do so.

Enter: the 20-Squat Challenge, or the #DOsquatschallenge.

What’s That?

The #DOsquatschallenge is a fitness challenge where you get a free single-trip, same day train ride on the MRT if you manage to complete 20 squats within 40 seconds. 

Yes! A free train ride is up for grabs.

Interested yet?

Where Can You Do This Challenge?

Commuters wishing to participate in the #DOsquatschallenge can do so at Prudential’s booth, which is now at Tampines MRT station till 3 April.

From 4 April to 17 April, the booth will be moved to City Hall MRT station instead.

The challenge is available daily from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Several hundred people have already completed the challenge.

It’s nice to know that instead of just complaining about the rising train fares, Singaporeans now have a chance to actually do something about it!

Any Requirements?

Other than doing the challenge only within 7 am to 10 pm, commuters only need to be 1.2m or taller to participate in the challenge.

(Editor’s Note: I’m a NSman and I think there is one more requirement: do a good one or there’ll be “no count” #justsaying #ipptsucks)

Why the #DOsquatschallenge, though?

In a report by Lianhe Wanbao, Prudential Singapore’s Chief Customer Officer Goh Theng Kiat is meant to encourage people to stay active and healthy, especially with our increasing life expectancy.

You can view more details on the event’s Facebook page here.

Prudential’s fun, motivating challenge comes at an important time,and may be just the boost Singaporeans need to exercise.

Because, unfortunately, Singaporeans really aren’t that healthy.

Fitness and Singaporeans

Despite the countless number of mass fitness groups and runs springing up all over the island, Singaporeans are still not really motivated to get off our bums and exercise.

In fact, in September last year, the World Health Organisation (WHO) released a study on global health which verified fact 2. The study showed that statistically, 1 in 3 Singaporeans are not active enough.

Adults are encouraged to do at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity a week or 70 minutes of vigorous physical activity.

34 per cent of men and 39 per cent of women in Singapore do not hit this target.

This, although disheartening, does not come as a surprise, considering how busy Singaporeans are and how dependent an increasing number of people are on personal mobility devices such h as e-scooters, which make walking even short distances unnecessary.

However, fitting exercise into our lives is easier than we think.

Besides squats, there are a lot of other exercises that can be easily done at any time with no equipment at all.

Here are a few that you can do in an office.

1. Get up and walk around every 20 minutes or so.
2. Simple exercises like calf lifts and arm and neck stretches.

Being busy chasing the buck doesn’t mean you have to let your health slide!

After all, health is the greatest wealth.