FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is Starting Strength?
Through barbell exercises that involve all the body's muscle mass, the Starting Strength System makes use of the body's most basic movement patterns utilised over the longest effective range of motion and loaded progressively, to produce the adaptations necessary for increased strength.
Unlike other popular exercise protocols, Starting Strength is a training system – a long-term process designed for getting stronger over time – not a random collection of exercises that just make you hot, sweaty, sore, confused, and tired after each workout.
Why is strength important?
Of all the physical attributes, strength is the most important physical attribute of one’s physical existence. Getting stronger can positively impact all the other physical attributes, something the rest of the physical attributes can’t do. A lack of strength compromises athletic performance, health, and quality of life as we age.
Regardless of what your training goals are, barbell strength training can get you there (unless your goal is to get weaker).
What's the difference between exercising and strength training?
Exercising is performance of physical activity for its own sake – done to work up a sweat, breath heavily and feel exhausted with no plan or thought towards a goal. Without a goal and structured program, you could be spinning your wheels and be at exactly the same place despite exercising for years.
Training is physical activity done specifically with a long term goal in mind. Each workout is specifically programmed in a way that brings you closer towards achieving your end goal. With a goal and structured program, you have measurable progress that you can track.
I’ve never touched a barbell in my life. I'm older and have injuries (back/knee/hip/shoulder/elbows problems etc). Can I train and is it safe?
In our years of experience, we’ve never had someone in the gym who couldn’t train with barbells due to the limitation they had at that time. Depending on your condition, the way you perform the lifts and/or program will be modified to accommodate your specific situation.
I’ve been sedentary all my life. I'm worried that I am not strong enough to do the barbell lifts.
Even if you’ve been sedentary all your life, we’ll find your baseline of strength and gradually work up from there. The weights that you will start with will be established on your first session. If needed, a lighter barbell, broomstick or even just bodyweight can be used to start with – you'll start with a weight that you can safely and correctly perform the lift. You’ll progress from there on subsequent training sessions.
What do I need to wear/bring?
Please come in a 100% cotton T-shirt and stretchy shorts(that end above the knee)/pants/tights that don’t impede movement. We’ve already had a number of clients rip their shorts while squatting – don’t be the next one. Lifting shoes are highly recommended but if you don’t have them, do try to come in hard-soled shoes e.g. Converse.
If you’ve already been training before joining us, do bring along all the gear that you usually use while training e.g belt, sleeves, wraps etc. Please bring along a hand towel to wipe down the equipment before and after use.
What coaching services do you offer?
We offer personal training, semi-private coaching, barbell clinics (single coaching sessions) and online coaching.
What happens after I sign up?
You will receive an email at your registered email address with more information. If you do not receive any email after 5 minutes of signing up, please check your spam/junk folder. If you do not receive a notification email, please contact us.
Do you offer memberships/drop-ins?
We do not offer memberships or drop ins. This is to ensure that when you come in as a coached client, there’s a rack and barbell ready for you – no waiting or jostling for equipment.
What are your opening hours?
We do not have fixed opening hours as we’re only at the gym by appointment. Our first session starts at 6am and our last session starts at 9pm. If you wish to drop by for a chat to find out more about barbell training can work for your goals, please contact us to set up an appointment.
I’d like to try a session before deciding. Do you provide free trials?
If you’d like to try out our coaching services before deciding, we offer paid trials. Please contact us to find out more.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept cash, bank transfer, PayNow and most major credit cards.
Who can I contact if I have queries not answered here?
Feel free to contact us at +65 8786 8792 or drop us an email.
The only Starting Strength Affiliate Gym in Asia