Me & my 2 left feet joined a dance sports experience session at S’pore Sports Hub

I absolutely hate doing anything remotely physical.

Back in school, Physical Education was my most dreaded class.

While my peers sprinted enthusiastically, I was the one dragging my feet at the back.

Running 2.4km? Only passed on my second try.

Ball games? Not a chance. I was the person everyone hoped not to have on their team.

In university, I made a fleeting attempt to stay fit by joining the Aerobics Club.

That plan fizzled out as soon as Covid-19 hit and classes were cancelled.

So when I was told I'd be attending a sports session at the Singapore Sports Hub, let’s just say I was a little apprehensive.

First impressions: Very welcoming

To my surprise, it turned out to be a genuinely fun and heartwarming experience — mostly thanks to the people who welcomed me with open arms.

The session I joined was called “International Remix – Dance Storm”, a dance-based cardio workout.

Now, this was an especially bold choice for me, considering I have two left feet.

But the website promised no dance experience was needed and that participants of all ages were welcome, so I figured — why not?

I showed up at the venue (just outside Gate 2 at the National Stadium) and saw the two instructors setting up.

I got to chat with one of them, Zainul, who told me he’s been running these sessions for over seven years.

Some of his students have been with him since the very beginning.

Meeting the community

I had a chance to talk with a few regulars, including a friendly lady in her sixties and another in her twenties who happily answered my many questions.

“How long have you all been attending these classes?” I asked.

“About 10 years,” they replied, pointing out others in the group who they met at the sessions and became good friends with.

They also shared that they regularly attend the sports sessions held by Singapore Sports Hub — a series of free classes that run all year long.

I asked if the class was difficult.

The older lady reassured me saying it should be easy for someone “young” like me.

Bless her, but she definitely overestimated my fitness level.

Dancing through the pain (and the fun)

We began with a warm-up led by one of the instructors, and very quickly, I realised just how out of sync I was with everyone else.

Zainul noticed and told me, “Just go at your own pace.”

So I did. And yes, that included accidentally turning the wrong way more than once.

But no one laughed. Instead, I got smiles, words of encouragement, and even a few helpful pointers from classmates mid-dance.

Zainul took the time to show me some of the moves I missed.

It didn’t feel like a class — it felt like a community.

A global playlist

True to its name, the music selection was global.

From K-pop to Taylor Swift, from Chinese remixes to Tamil beats — the playlist had something for everyone.

At one point, the speaker glitched and the music got cut off.

Without missing a beat, the class started singing the Tamil lyrics out loud.

I couldn’t help but smile — it was a beautiful moment of spontaneous joy and unity.

Despite my clumsy moves, I found myself wanting to come back.

The vibe was so welcoming, I stopped worrying about messing up and just let myself enjoy the moment.

We ended the session with a group photo, and the class even insisted I sat in the middle.

Very cute.

Experience the energy at Harmony Fest!’25

If you're looking to experience that same sense of connection and fun, look no further.

These free sports sessions run at Singapore Sports Hub all year round and is one of the many different community activities that Singapore Sports Hub organises.

If you're not that into sports, there are other things to look forward to and participate in, including the upcoming Harmony Fest!’25.

It is an annual flagship event organised by the Racial and Religious Harmony Circles, in partnership with Kallang Alive Sport Management.

Originally held in celebration of Racial Harmony Day which has since expanded into Racial and Religious Harmony Month (RRHM) since 2023 — Harmony Fest! aims to highlight Singapore’s vibrant diversity and the strength of our unity.

This year’s two-day festival features:

• Inaugural Harmony Walk
• Multi-cultural and ethnic performances
• Interactive booths and exhibitions from various community partners
• Sports and arts activities
• A selection of delectable Singaporean cuisine

All of it happens at Singapore Sports Hub on Jul. 5 and 6.

You can find out more information on their website here.

If you are interested in experiencing sports sessions like me, you can visit this website for more information.

Top photos by Mothership

This branded article by Singapore Sports Hub got this writer grooving.