Minister for National Development Khaw Boon Wan (pictured) has urged HDB residents to keep fit by taking the stairs. In his most recent blog post titled ‘Eat Less, Move More’, Mr Khaw encouraged readers to find other ways to stay fit, citing an email from a 60-year old Singaporean as an example.
“I discovered an obvious exercise in Singapore – walking up flights of staircases! 80 percent of Singaporeans can do it every day, since they live in HDB,” said the e-mail.
The writer even mentioned his own workout routine that included climbing 11 floors in the HDB block where he stays.
“We should promote this. No need to join gyms. Save money,” he added.
Mr Khaw said that he had been advised to do the same exercise after undergoing bypass surgery. “My physiotherapist started me on some light exercise using the SGH stairs, beginning with one level, and gradually progressing to three, before discharging me home.”
In the same blog post, he also featured a YouTube video on how the Swedes made a piano out of a staircase to encourage people to climb the stairs.
Mr Khaw suggested a similar exercise could be developed, perhaps accompanied by music.
“Let’s eat less and move more, and include the HDB stairs as one way to promote healthy exercise.”
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