True Fitness @ Chevron House

Gym: True Fitness @ Chevron House, 7th floor (Singapore)
Trial Period: November 16th - 30th, 2013


(Omg it's been FOUR years since I've reviewed ANYTHING!  I've decided to revive my "Gym Reviews" section of my blog because I'll be dropping into a few more fitness/yoga/dance type-facilities during the next couple months... thank you, Groupon lol)

So, I've just finished my 2-week trial at Chevron House.  I went every single day (yes, even on weekends), and I took a lot of classes (even though my sales consultant said I could only sign up for four, but meh~) hehe =x


First impression of the gym was OMG they extended to three levels (from the two levels, since I was there in 2009) - yay, there's more space!  ^^  The new 8th floor holds this really cool workout centre that kinda reminded me of a jungle gym.  Words can't describe it, so here're a couple pictures:

I didn't use it because I didn't even know where to start with it.  The jungle gym looked interesting and complicated, and I really really wished that there'd been an instructor dedicated to just introduce what can be done (since it's something unique).  I think that stationing an instructor there would #1 encourage new people / first timers to use it, and #2 onlookers would be less intimidated if they knew that there was a friendly person available to guide them whenever they have time to try it out.

And, is that a running track in the background of the picture?  O_o  Why, yes it is!  Apparently it's an indoor sprint track.  I have seen it being used for sprinting, and there are other people who have used the area for doing warm-ups, stretching and yoga.

Now, back in 2009, I complained about classes being so full during after-work hours.  Sorry guys, but this time I can't comment about the the 6.00pm to 6.30pm classes because I really can't get to them (Teh Office is half an hour door-to-door away).  I was pleasantly surprised that the 7.30pm classes weren't crowded at all, and the 8:30pm classes even less so.  I've also been able to make several lunchtime classes - these are the 12:15pm, 12:30pm and 1:30pm timings - again, plenty of space for your to move around without worrying about bumping into anyone.  Uncrowded classes means that you get more attention from the instructors, and if you didn't book the class in advance and you showed up just before class starts, you'd still be able to get in.   I love the classes!  ^^

And what about those unavailable lockers and long shower queues I complained about last time?  Practically non-existent problems now!  Girls, I've not had to hunt for an available locker, and I've never had to queue for showers this time.  I don't know whether it's because of the later timings that I'm hitting the gym, or maybe it's because this isn't the time of year that True Fitness is trying to flood the gym with prospective new members.


I do have to rant about one thing - and it's about the Class Schedule:

#1  The Online Class Schedule page pisses me off.  I'm talking about this page - http://truefitness.com.sg/index.php/classes/schedules.   I should be able to do a Google search for "True Fitness Chevron House class schedule" and the first link that appears should take me directly to the Chevron House's class schedule, NOT the AMK Djitsun Mall's.  The 3G connection is already sucky enough on the train.  First, it takes forever to load the page, and then I have to click on the drop down to change gym location, and then wait again for the page to load up, and then I have to select my desired studio because by default, I see the bike studio and I'm not interested in bike classes.  Grrr... build a more search-friendly + user-friendly Online Class Schedule page please!

#2  Why doesn't the Online Class Schedule state what level the classes are?  I accidentally went into a "Level 3" Body Jam class, and I was completely lost.  I wasn't the only newbie in that class too.  Another girl was just as lost as I was, and we both ditched the class halfway through.

#3  Why are you guys still handing out PAPER versions of the class schedules?  It's the digital age, build an app or something.  Save the environment, stop wasting paper.  Not sure what functionalities to put into the app?  No problem, here's some ideas - members can see what classes are available, book classes, set timed reminders so we know when to get our asses out of the office, rate and review instructors, give feedback (I overheard some members telling an instructor that they wished he taught at Chevron more often... I'm sure this this wish fell on deaf ears), and if True Group wants to be brave, start a community with the app.  A community is gonna allow members to suggest ideas, other members can read and rate ideas, the gym can make changes to improve according to member's needs.  Members bond with other members online and at the gym, members stay members longer.  And remember, when you're building an app, make sure it's for both the Apple-y folks and the Droid-ers too!

End spiel.  Now, onto the in-depth review...

* * * * * *

Staff Peoples
Overall friendly. Still nothing to complain about.

- Sales consultant  =  He wasn't really pushy. There wasn't the usual, sign up now-now-today-today for a magical discount that you can only enjoy todaaay.  I hate those.

- Receptionists  =  They're quick to get you signed in and hand you your towels.  Sometimes it takes a couple minutes for them to print out class tickets.

- Trainers  =  Not proactive.  What I mean is that you won't see them walking around, saying hi and asking members if they needed help.  I have a feeling it's because you have to pay to engage in their "Personal Training services."  But I think, if you don't at least show people how valuable you could be, or at the very least, how friendly you are, people aren't going to buy into your service.


Facilities
The receptionist gives you two towels. One body size towel for your shower, one smaller towel for your workout usage.

- Lockers  =  Now you have to bring your own little padlock like True Yoga.  I've always got one with me, so I don't know what the protocol is like when you don't bring one.  Like I said before, this time there's always an available locker when I'm there, and I'm talking about chest-level and lower-level lockers (because I'm short and yes, this matters a lot to me).

- Changing rooms  =  OMG they have changing rooms now!  I wonder if it's because they read my past review lol. Here's a picture:

- Steam room  =  There is one.  I still haven't used it, so I can't say much about it.

- Showers  =  I've NEVER had to queue this time.  There are more than enough hooks outside of the shower so you can hang stuffs and they won't get splashed on.  Same advice as before, leave your shoes at the lockers if you don't want them getting wet.  Two soap dispensers (blue colored shower cream and peach colored shampoo) but if you're picky, bring your own goods... they have a metal tray thing in the shower stall.  They got rid of the floor mat thingie in the the shower stall so if your neighbour is washing off lots of soap, well, you can probably expect some of that entering your space and coming into contact with your feet.  I just let that happen and walk barefoot back to my locker, then wipe them dry there with a towel.

- Misc  =  Hair dryers are still there, they have cotton buds too, and the common clothes rack (with hangers) is still there for those who can't afford to have their outfits crumpled.  So what's new?  Well, I think the shoe racks in the ladies' room are an addition, but I see mostly runners on them.  I'm guessing this is the cheap alternative if you don't want to pay to rent a shoe locker to store your shoes.


Equipment:
Good range of cardio, weight machines, free weights, yoga mats and yoga balls.

You'll definitely be kept occupied - if you know how to operate the machines.  I was being a newb on the stair climber machine and I couldn't figure out why it kept restarting, and I was randomly pushing buttons for a good 5 - 8 minutes.  Again, if there'd been a personal trainer around who was keeping an eye out for people struggling with machines, it'd have been good service for help to be offered.

* * * * * *

Workout Classes:
I took Body Combat and Kick Boxing.  Same advice as before, if you've never done any sort of combat class or martial arts, you may find it hard to follow + hard to keep up.  You need tons of stamina.  The instructors really need to tell people how to throw proper punches and kicks, because I don't see people using their hips at all.


Yoga Classes:
These are my favourite of all the classes.  I took Body Balance, Power Yoga, Kalari Yoga and Hot Yoga.  I must say one thing though... True Fitness, THANK YOU for ditching the disgusting old peeling yoga mats and getting these new dark grey ones (these ones have waaay much better grip and they don't smelly like a million people's stinky feet).

- Body Balance =  This is a mix of tai chi, pilates and yoga.  Tracey is the instructor you should be looking for - she's really good and very positive, you'll love her energy!

- Hot Yoga =  Great for beginners because the heat will let you go into stretches you thought were impossible.

- Power Yoga =  Take these classes only if you have done yoga for awhile. Choose either Marian or Poh - they're both equally friendly and really good instructors, but I'd say Marian is tougher because she really pushes you.  I really felt like my yoga skills leveled up!

- Kalari Yoga =  This was a new one for me.  My gawd, my thighs were killing me after the first time I took Amanda's class.  Amanda is also another really good instructor and she'll even give you some tips on how to cheat with holding some poses!

(And when I say someone's a good instructor, I mean it.  They verbalize what you're supposed to do step by step, they point out common mistakes, and they go around to help and encourage you.)


Step Classes:
Didn't try these this time around (sorry folks, I was too busy leveling up on yoga).


Dance Classes: 
Like I mentioned, I accidentally stepped into a level 3 Body Jam class, which I had to abandon halfway.  It was too difficult to follow, especially when the instructor started fast-forwarding through her moves.  I took a Shbam class too,  it was slightly easier but still a challenge to follow/copy.  Maybe it's just me, but the footwork was confusing, and adding in hand movements just messed everything up for my severely uncoordinated body lol


Spin Classes: 
Didn't try these this time around either.

* * * * * *

Price Range:
You're looking at $105 or $120 per month depending on whether you want access to one gym club or all gym clubs, for 12 months.  Yes, they've upped the price tag since 4 years ago (maybe the price increase is the reason why the gym isn't super crowded like last time).  If you commit with them longer though, the price drops to $75 a month, but you're bonded for 3 years.


What I Loved:
- Yoga Studio's classes
- Location from Raffles Place MRT (once you get to Street Level, you take one escalator into Chevron House, trade in your IC / driver's license with the security guy on the right, head to the gantry on the far left, take the lifts up to the 7th floor and you're there!)  Please note that the lifts are hands-free activation, so don't be a newb and press the arrow-looking button thing at the lift okay?


What I Didn't Like:
- Online class schedule
- Monthly price tag

* * * * * *

Well, that's it from me.  If you have questions, feel free to drop me an emew (liankitty@gmail.com) or leave a comment.  Otherwise, my last advise for you is to try out (any) gym first before signing up for anything.  You gotta spend time seeing if you're okay with the commute to the gym, and you gotta spend quality time with the instructors, because if you love them, you're gonna be so much more motivated to join their classes every week.

Stay tuned to my next gym review (California Fitness @ Novena), which should be up by the end of this month or after I'm back from New Year's Bali surfing trip.

Pessimistic Pill

"Life's a struggle to find a place where one suffers the least"

An epiphany arising not long after Post Subcon-ment.

Today saw the first official Operations Meeting. The Ramblings began with a breakdown of each of our seperate roles in The Company. Not that it really mattered much since it was later mentioned that we're really only 60 percent of our "department." I'm not quite sure what that means-- logically the other 40 percent would constitute my fellow Cellmates, who were in their own departments, which means I'm also part of the 40 percent of their departments.

O_o

So what I think it boils down to: We're ALL gonna be a mesh of each other's roles, defeating the original idea of having specific roles in the first place.

After more brainwashing delusional grandeur ideas of leadership, mentoring (poor lowly paid) individuals and industry recognition, the dreaded three-letter word was released upon us-- KPI. Vague quantitative, qualitative and profit margin goals to be met by the end of each quarter, as written by ourselves (with The Dictator) and then signed by ourselves. Supposedly, it's to set an external push factor, as if our own internal drives didn't contain enough passion for the work we did. Personally, I dislike any signed document; it could too easily be used as a double-edged sword for those who are experienced in wielding it.

It's been a long time since my BS alarm went off so many times.

* * * * *

:Fluff speech:

Used by Management to create a Pretty Illusion

Accepted by the Workers as Procrastination

Win-win?

Get 'em boyz

But I iz purtty sure dey r gurl pwnies...

True Fitness @ Chevron House

Gym: True Fitness @ Chevron House, 7th floor (Singapore)
Trial Period: March 2nd - 15th, 2009


Currently on the third day of my 2 week trial period.
I've decided to post a review of what I've experienced so far...


First impression of the gym was OMG they really utilized the space! What with all the equipment they seem to be cramming into every available corner and space. Afterwork hours -- I'm talking about 6pm to 6:30pm -- are really busy so don't be surprised if classes are full and lockers are hard to find, but there will always be available cardio machines to keep yourself occupied. 7:30pm is when the shower queues get super long but the population empties out a bit so the classes aren't as packed. 8:30pm onwards, girls, don't be surprised if you still need to queue for showers... the classes are emptier and few, because who wants to stay in the gym until 9:30pm+?!

* * * * * *

Staff: Friendly. So far, nothing to complain about =)

- Sales consultant = He wasn't really pushy and he didn't make me feel I was locked down / trapped when it came to the sign-up-for-membership-now spiel, although he did contact me numerous times... like once a day numerous xD

- Receptionist = I liked the girls behind the counter. Maybe because they always seem to find me a slot in the classes I wanted ...or maybe I was just lucky.

- Trainers = The guy I was stuck with during my gym "orientation" wasn't receptive to me at all. He looked REALLY bored. And if you happen to be struggling with a machine, NO ONE will voluntarily come to your rescue... you need to open your mouth and ask. Trainers all seem to be focused on who they're with (which is good) or they'll be hanging around their little trainer's counter talking amongst themselves.

* * *

Facilities: The receptionist gives you two towels. One for your workout usage, one for your shower. Now I can only speak of the women's facilities...

- Lockers = Unlike True Yoga, you don't need to bring your own little padlock. They'll give you a key card and you need to find out which way the card fits into the card slot before the locker decides to give you its key. The key comes attached with either a wrist band or a safety pin, so you shouldn't lose it. There was once during afterwork hours when almost ALL the lockers were taken save for the "out of order" ones and a few on the top rows... was quite pissed since I'm vertically challenged.

- Changing rooms = Don't look for one, there are none. Change in the toilet stalls (not recommended) or face a corner and strip.

- Steam room = There is one. It's tucked in the back after the shower stalls. I've never used it.

- Showers = I've ALWAYS had to queue. Bring your own bag / plastic bag to throw your clothes in if you dislike tossing it over the curtain railing. There are more than enough hooks to go around so you'll always find somewhere to hang your stuffs. Leave your shoes at your locker if you don't want them getting wet. They provide two soap dispensers (shower cream and conditioner+shampoo) but if you're picky, bring your own goods... they have a tray in the stall for you. Shower area has a floor mat thingie which allows water to pass beneath your feet so that you're not stepping in someone else's shower water, but the mat feels like it's been stepped on one too many times... it depresses on some spots.

- Misc = They've got hair dryers and a common use clothes rack for those who can't afford to have their outfits crumpled.

* * *

Equipment: Good range of cardio, weight machines, free weights. You'll be kept occupied. They have a mix of new and old machines. There are 2 water coolers (unless I missed one, I remember there being 1 upstairs and 1 downstairs) with those inverted-u neck taps to fill water bottles too... there's hot and cold water.
And they have signs all over saying to wipe down the equipment after use but they don't leave around towels for you to use, and you kinda don't want to use the sweat towel that you'll be towelling yourself with. So I doubt machines get wiped by members... haven't seen that happening anyway.

* * * * * *

Workout Classes:
The high intensity workout classes (esp. Body Combat) are REALLY packed with people, I think also mainly because it's the first class afterwork hours.
If you've never done any sort of combat class or martial arts before, you may find it hard to follow + hard to keep up. You need tons of stamina.


Yoga Classes:
Body Balance -- My favourite class and according to the Sun (the instructor) it's a mix of tai chi and yoga. Was quite upset to see it appearing only ONCE a week on the schedule.
Power Yoga -- Was very intense. Do not attempt if you've never done yoga. There are a number of positions that are difficult to maintain >_<


Step Classes:
If you're really new at step like me, just go for Step I. The other step classes -- Multi Step and Step II and Step III -- thoroughly confuzes me. Much memory and leg coordination is needed to follow through all the stepping up-and-downs and turning-arounds properly.


Dance Classes:
Never tried these. I think with my horrid hand-leg-body coordination, I'd be so lost. Apparently every beginning of the month, the dance routine changes and you learn bit by bit the movements of an entire routine until at the month you get to pull off something awesome. Trial periods never last that long though.


Spin Classes:
You get on a bike and pedal. It's not that hard, so beginners will find Spin I and Spin II manageable. The only thing you MAY not like about these bike classes is that you'll find the seat uncomfortable and your bottom region will hurt. Stamina is needed to maintain cycling for 60 mins straight.

* * * * * *

Price Range:
You're looking at $79 - $99 per month depending on whether you want access to one club or all clubs. It's a tad pricey but if you manage to hit the gym 3-4 times a week or 12 times a month, per visit it'll come up to around $7 - $9. Minimum commitment period is 12 months. Usually places try to make you commit for 2 years... maybe they finally got the hint that people don't like long commitments.

* * * * * *

Shikyo hopes that you've found this review insightful, informative or at the very least entertaining. So if you've never been to a gym before, you won't be going to this one looking like a total newbie.

Go Forth My Minions!

Or kitteh kornered bai teh rainbow pwnie herd

OMG Pwnies!!!!1!

Awww I wants one!!! xD

Saw V [2008]

Shikyo's Ratings: 4.5 outta 5 PoPcOrNz!


Gore Rating: 3.5 outta 5 BloODy BaGz!


The pieces of the jigsaw are falling into place...

Warning: To fully understand the movie, you HAVE to have watched Saw 1 through Saw 4 consecutively, in sequence. If you love gore and don't give a damn about the storyline, go ahead and contribute your valuable moneys to the film makers because I really really want to see a Saw 6 next year!!! xD


Newbies to the Saw series would've definitely been lost if they watched Saw 5. They would've left the theater either loving the traps or loving the gore, or wondering why they paid to watch a really bloody confusing movie. But those who have watched, enjoyed and marveled at the continuity of the story behind all the Saw movies-- they'd probably have loved this addition to the series.

There weren't as many omg-that's-fcking-disgusting gore moments in this movie, but a fair amount of blood was spilt. Bombs were used to motivate Jigsaw's victims, unlike the nerve poisons he used in Saw II. I really admire his traps-- there's always a connection between his victims, there's always an emotional push for them to see the game to the end, and there's always a way out with a bit of sacrifice.


That's all I can really say without revealing spoilers, and so...

* S * P * O * I * L * E * R * S *

Here's where you stop reading
if you haven't seen the film,
and you intend to do so

* A * H * E * A * D *

There are two main stories happening throughout Saw 5. One story takes place right after Saw 4 in which we find FBI Agent Strahm trapped in a room with the dead bodies of Jigsaw, Amanda, Lynn and Jeff. Lost already? Here's your last chance to go back and watch Saw 1 through Saw 4, one after another, plsthxbai.

Inevitably, Agent Strahm is thrown into Jigsaw's game and awakes to find his head encased in a cube filling with water. One wonders why he doesn't start gulping the water to delay the inevitable, but anyway he survives by punching a hole into his throat to avoid asphyxiation.





Agent Strahm lives, heals up but the FBI peeps take him off the Jigsaw case. Like all the other obsessed cops involved in the Saw movies, Agent Strahm is driven to dig for more clues because he's pretty sure Jigsaw and Amanda had an accomplice. His search for answers points to Detective Hoffman.

Unfortunately, Hoffman already suspects Strahm's on to him and sets up a test for him asking Strahm to trust Hoffman and get into a glass coffin like box. Here, I'm kinda undecided on who planned this last trap because the tapes that were planted had Hoffman's voice not Jigsaw's (I think), but the glass box used was seen in Jigsaw's workshop in Saw 4. Anyways, predictably, Strahm failz from his refusal to trust Hoffman and dies.

The second story follows five people trapped in a sewer location. We later find out that this test was planned by Jigsaw, but executed by Strahm-- so it's expected that at the end of the test, something is revealed at an OMG-scale. Hmmm on second thoughts, I won't spoil it for you since there's no need to! But I will say that the last act of sacrifice was the goreiest... I can't really image how they could possibly heal up and live on with that kinda self-inflicted damage.





I would have rated Saw V as high as 5 popcorns, but there were a couple inconsistencies in the movie which I'll cover now. Yes, I'm being nitpicky as usual...

Anonymity and Fingerprints
There was a flashback showing Detective Hoffman and Jigsaw doing up the room featured in Saw 2... and while they were setting up the gun, one could clearly see that they weren't wearing any gloves! This was so dumb because in one of the scenes Jigsaw actually says that Hoffman's anonymity was a good thing. I mean, gee, fingerprints anyone?

Blood and Brains
Close to the end of the five-people-trapped-in-sewers story arc, there are two people left alive who quickly figure out that they need to run a part of their limb through a saw to accumulate enough blood in a jug that will trigger the final door to open. And they did all this clever thinking BEFORE closing the door to the previous room, knowing jolly well there's a freshly dead body lying in the tub there. So why didn't they just take the electrocuted girl and feed her to the saws before closing the damn door?! It's not like ALL her blood dried up after the electrocution right...


What I wanna see in the next Saw movie:

Hoffman's Test
At the beginning of Saw 4, Jigsaw leaves a message for the Detective Hoffman: "You think you will walk away untested." So far, none of the traps have been set specifically to test him yet, so my hunch is Saw 6 will test Hoffman. My guess is he'll fail, just like Amanda. Amanda's weakness was her emotions, but I have no idea what Hoffman's weakness is... he already killed his sister's murderer, so what else is going to anger him into making mistakes...

I Know Who You Are
There was a message left on the Detective Hoffman's desk. "I know who you are." It was never confirmed that Agent Strahm left it there. There's a possibility that he did or maybe FBI Agent Perez (Strahm's dead partner) did it, but I have a feeling it's probably Jigsaw's wife, Jill. Why? It's this one piece of paranoia/knowledge that sets things in motion, driving Hoffman into setting up a trap for Agent Strahm. It was later revealed that in Saw 4, Perez actually mentioned Hoffman's name just as she died. But how did she deduce that Hoffman was most likely the accomplice?

Jigsaw's Wife
During Saw 5, Jill approached FBI Erickson to complain that she was being followed, but no one was following her throughout the entire movie! Detective Hoffman was too busy trying to figure out where the Agent Strahm was. I think Jill's lying, again to set things in motion... she wanted to lure Erickson out. Also Jill inherited a box from Jigsaw-- contents of it are unknown >_< Also, she was seen toying with the box's key around her neck in Saw 4 but in her flashbacks, she didn't have it on her. Meaning, somewhere somehow she must've gotten it from Jigsaw AFTER he told her not to go back to him.



^ Zomg I watched Saw V in theater Hall 5!