SAFRA Fitness Festival 2026 FitX Challenge: You might finally see your encik’s grandmother run faster than you

Most Singaporean men hit their fitness peak during national service.

Digging trenches outfield, passing IPPT, and completing the standard obstacle course (SOC) without breaking anything made men out of boys.

And with the encik repeatedly saying his grandmother can do it faster than you?

Great motivation as always.

But you know what’s even better?

You might now be able to meet your encik’s Ah Ma.

For real.

FitX Challenge

For all the lifelong fitbros, sedentary types, and weekend warriors, a new NS-inspired sporting event is coming.

To be held at the Singapore Expo on Sep. 26 and 27, 2026, SAFRA Fitness Festival 2026 will be hosting FitX Challenge, its headline eight-station obstacle-course event.

Race categories

There are three race categories for FitX Challenge: Individual, Doubles, and Trio.

Those competing alone can claim full credit, while those in doubles and trio can split the load in mixed gender teams.

The obstacle course tests strength, endurance, agility and mental resilience.

Best of all? The event is open to all.

SAFRA FitX Challenge is open to both SAFRA members and non-members, and open to all fitness levels to bring together SAFRA members, NSmen, and the wider community.

The fitness stations – sans mud and grime, which are the hallmarks of NS – are not just to test an individual’s physical proficiency.

They are hallmarks of Singapore's national defence: Resilience, teamwork and readiness.

And participants do not have to compete alone.

They can do so in mixed gender pairs or in groups.

Anyone who meets the minimum age requirement can participate.

For the main FitX Challenge Individual, Double, and Trio events, participants must be aged 18 years old and above.

Categories with children, such as FitX Junior and Families For Life Parent and Child, are open for those aged between seven and 12 years old, and would feature a simplified obstacle course.

However, registration is full for these two categories.

No qualification is required.

In other words, own time, own target.

Limited slots are available.

Grab yours before Sep. 9, 2026 at SAFRA Fitness Festival.

Supporters for the participants, spectators, and non-participants can enter the event for free.

Not taking part in the competition?

The festival offers plenty to experience as well, from wellness shopping, fitness trial classes, and fun engagement activities to exclusive giveaways and live music.

Soak up the energy, discover new fitness trends, and enjoy a fun-filled day with family and friends.

5 NS-inspired activities to look out for

10m Laser Shooting station

This is no-brainer: The crowd-favourite activity is the Laser Shooting station where participants must score 15 hits at a 10m range before continuing the course.

If you think accuracy is all you need, think again.

As any thinking soldier can tell you, you cannot think when you are tired.

Overcoming muscle fatigue from the physical activities and still maintaining your breathing under time pressure will make a bobo shooter out of you and me.

20m Leopard Crawl

What gives you more abrasions on your legs, arms and body than route marches?

Leopard crawls.

They are de rigueur in basic military training (BMT).

Nothing keeps you more grounded and down-to-earth than literally being prone on the ground.

Soldiers have to learn this movement to stay low and mobile – and out of the enemy’s line of fire.

At FitX Challenge, the trick is to go faster than other competitors during a 20m leopard crawl.

Coordination and mobility can only get you there halfway.

You also need determination to rawdog it with your shoulders, hips, core and legs all going at it at once.

2m Apex Climb and 1.5m Low Wall

Two separate stations at the FitX Challenge will test those vertically challenged.

Sheer brute force alone will not be enough to scale these heights.

Think simply being taller can get the job done?

Well, participants need to use technique and momentum.

For those competing in non-individual events, participants need to help each other and trust your buddy.

In the military, there is a saying: Two is one and one is none.

And you are not supposed to leave your buddy behind.

2.4km run

Nothing screams “NS” like the 2.4km run.

At FitX Challenge, the run is the last part of the challenge.

Soldiers who have done IPPT know that you cannot expend all your energy before the run.

Conserving too much energy is also a no-no too as it means you did not put up.

As much as running is a physical activity, it is also a mental test of mind over body.

Besides these stations, there are also others, such as the 50kg Tyre Flip 10m distance, Box Jump, and Rower 1km distance.

SAFRA Fitness Festival 2026 is by SAFRA, in partnership with the People's Association, National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) and supported by Families For Life.

Prizes and rewards

The competition is made more worthwhile as winners get to walk away with prizes.

Winners will get SAFRA Rewards Vouchers.

For the individual, double, and trio categories, the winner will get up to S$1,500 vouchers each.

For categories with children, the top prizes are worth S$300 to S$500.

Time to find out if your encik’s Ah Ma is really faster than you.

This branded content is brought to you by SAFRA.