Gyms may be back in business in Phase 2, but not everyone’s hitting the fitness studios or big box gyms yet. Perhaps you’re finding it difficult to book a slot at the gym, now that capacity has been reduced for safe distancing reasons; or you just feel a tad iffy about working out mask-free with a bunch of strangers (and their droplets). If you had your way, you’d have a personal gym all to yourself.

Enter The Gym Pod, a pay-per-use gym that's housed in an air-conditioned container, and is fully-equipped and suitable for a workout for up to two people each time. How pandemic-appropriate is that? There are eight of these pods islandwide, in locations such as Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park and Changi City Point (below). Spin fanatics, there’s also a Spin Pod, only at Changi City Point, for indoor cycling workouts.

Each 18sqm container is unmanned, so bookings, payments and even entry into the gym are handled via a mobile app. Oh, and did we mention that it’s open 24/7, so if you feel like working out at 3am, you can.

With current Phase 2 regulations, a maximum of two people are allowed in one pod at any one time. You can book the entire Gym Pod for $7.50 for a 30min sesh ($5.50 during the off-peak hours of 12am to 7am), and can choose to work out solo or with a companion. That's right, no strangers around you. For two new outlets at Punggol Park and Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park (main picture) that are still in soft launch phase, only one person is allowed.

Gym Pods are decked out with all you need for strength and cardio training — a treadmill, dumbbell rack, smith machine, cable machine and in select pods, an elliptical machine as well. Digital workouts and tutorials are available on the app or on interactive screens for those who need a little guidance.

Capacity is also capped at two people in the Spin Pod. However, unlike the Gym Pod, bookings in the Spin Pod go by a per-bike basis, so there’s a chance you could be cycling with a stranger. Rates are $15 per bike ($10 at off-peak hours), and each class is 30 to 45 minutes long.

Launched in January, the sole Spin Pod at Changi City Point has six bikes (though only two are used now for safe distancing purposes), futuristic club-esque lighting that's typical of spin classes, and a giant screen that plays Les Mills-licensed spin class videos.

There are CCTVs in the pods, so don’t even think of flouting any rules. Staying longer than your allocated slot is also not allowed as lights and the air-con will automatically shut off after the session.

Since reopening in Phase 2, The Gym Pod has put in place enhanced cleaning and sanitsation procedures. For starters, gym-goers will have to take their temperature on automated thermal scanners outside the pod (above) and check in via SafeEntry before they can even step in. Anyone running a high temperature will be denied access.

Professional cleaning happens six to seven times a week. Hospital-grade air sanitisers (above) have also been installed in each pod, while anti-microbial coating, similar to those used at ATMs, have been applied to equipment and high touch areas. Hand sanitisers and alcohol spray are also provided for gym-goers to wipe down before and after use of the equipment. Users have a part to play in keeping the pod clean for fellow gym-goers - there’s a rating system in place, so if you leave the gym in bad shape, the next user can easily report you.

More info at www.thegympod.com.
Photos: The Gym Pod