TRC CLUB NEWS
This entrepreneur wants to build a holistic wellness community in Singapore
Grant Wee drew deep on personal experiences to create Trapeze Rec Club and Hideaway at New Bahru.
As a pioneering entrant to Singapore’s wellness scene three years ago, holistic wellness club Trapeze Rec Club (TRC) is a trailblazer in redefining what such a space can be. The multi-storey location, situated within a heritage shophouse on Tanjong Pagar Road, set the stage for a new kind of community where physical fitness, recovery, mental health and social connection are seamlessly integrated.
Up next, Hideaway, located at creative cluster New Bahru, aims to redefine perceptions of massage therapy.
These two ventures are the brainchildren of entrepreneur Grant Wee, who was spurred on by personal challenges he faced during his university years while majoring in philosophy in Durham University, England from 2013 to 2016.
“I only realised how important wellness was when I was at university,” Wee recalled. “I went through a rough time, dealing with being alone and coming out. It was a difficult period, but two things really helped me: Therapy and joining a small gym in my college town.”
The youngest child of United Overseas Bank’s chief executive officer Wee Ee Cheong found sanctuary at the gym, not just in physical exercise but through the sense of community it provided. “Having that connection and someone to hold me accountable through my fitness and wellness journey was crucial. It helped me get out of bed every day and significantly improved my mental health.”
These experiences planted the seed for what would eventually become Trapeze Rec Club and Hideaway. Following a stint at the Boston Consulting Group after graduating, Wee returned to Singapore with the idea to build “spaces that focus on both physical and mental wellness”.
Inspired by his travels to destinations like Bali, Los Angeles and Sydney where wellness is highly valued, Wee envisioned setting up spaces that would offer more than just traditional spa treatments. “I noticed a huge emphasis on different facets of wellness, whether it is being close to nature, eating well, moving well or fostering a sense of community as opposed to simply hitting the gym and bulking up,” he said.
Additionally, a personal affinity for cold plunge sessions, where practitioners submerge their body in cold water for a short duration of time, led him to introduce this concept at TRC before it became popular among health and wellness junkies.
“The contrast therapy of cold plunging and sauna sessions have really helped me with a condition I have that causes inflammation of the joints and spine by alleviating muscle tension and addressing the inflammation,” he said. (Always check with your doctor before you sign up for any form of cold plunge therapy. This personal experience should not be substituted for advice from your own healthcare professional.)
At Hideaway, there are even more contrast therapy facilities at its bathhouse comprising private and semi-private infrared saunas and cold plunge tubs to allow for more options such as workshops within the space.
But most of all, Wee hopes that Hideaway will “bridge the gap between mass market massage chains and pricey hotel spas that are seen as an indulgence only for special occasions”.
The specially formulated massage therapies incorporate modern techniques with ancient Eastern practices such as guasha, shiatsu and tuina.
To create a harmonious and conducive environment for relaxation, Hideaway’s “urban oasis” premises have been designed by designer Ken Yuktasevi of Parable Studio, who also designed TRC.
“A big part of wellness is rest and recovery, and I wanted to a space where people could do exactly that. Hideaway is the natural progression in building the Trapeze Group portfolio for holistic wellness and we have taken a design forward approach, intentionally creating a tranquil oasis that is unlike any other massage spots in Singapore,” said Wee.
This entrepreneurial spirit in seizing worthwhile opportunities was shaped by the work ethic and ambition he observed in his family while growing up. Wee speaks fondly of his grandfather and father, both of whom exemplified hard work and dedication to him.
“My grandfather knew what he wanted and did everything he could to make it happen. He was the hardest worker I knew. This trickled on to my dad too; I see the way that he works yet he also makes time for his family. That is something I try to emulate too in terms of finding balance and committing to spending time with the family,” he reflected.
He also draws inspiration from older brother Wee Teng Wen, managing partner of hospitality company The Lo & Behold Group, which spearheaded the development of New Bahru as well as other concepts including French restaurant Odette and boutique heritage hotel The Warehouse Hotel.
“Growing up, I have always known I wanted to be an entrepreneur. Seeing my brother create the brands he has and doing so well definitely influenced me. I think he has built some amazing brands in the F&B and lifestyle space, and when it came to my turn, I looked up to him as a guiding light,” said Wee.
“I think wellness is a great niche that I carved out for myself, and I do not think I would have wanted to compete with him, so you know, it worked out,” added Wee with a laugh.
Up next, Wee hopes to be an advocate for inclusivity and mental health through his businesses.
“Any business I create is going to be inclusive and open to all,” he said. For example, Trapeze Rec Club has gender neutral toilets and collaborates with other like-minded businesses for community events. A recent Pride Month event in June, together with members club Soho House, cocktail bar No Sleep Club and Tundra ice bath, featured a party meets cold plunge session, with proceeds going to Pink Dot.
He is also a strong advocate for mental health awareness and believes this will be the next frontier in wellness. Currently, TRC runs therapy sessions by two clinical psychologists and also offers mental wellbeing workshops.
“While a lot has been done to destigmatise seeking help and going for therapy, I think that the supply does not quite match up with demand. We need more avenues and opportunities for people to address their mental health issues and ways to make this more accessible for people. I think Singapore is not quite there yet, but I see us moving in the right direction,” he said.
As he continues to grow his vision for wellness in Singapore, Wee says remembering the “why” behind the work is what motivates him.
“Seeing the community that has grown out of TRC and seeing individuals use the club the way I had intended in a holistic way by coming for the fitness, recovery and mental health elements and having them build friendships along the way. That is what keeps me going.”
Link: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/people/grant-wee-trapeze-rec-club-hideaway-entrepreneur-4661116
Trapeze Rec. Club is the new wellness club in Singapore that focuses on self-care
Check in the TRC for some TLC
Marrying fitness with self care is the name of the game at Trapeze Rec. Club, the latest wellness concept to pop up in Singapore.
Check in the TRC for some TLC. Located in a shophouse at 27 Tanjong Pagar Road, the space is opened from Monday to Friday (7am to 8pm) and on weekends (9am to 5pm).
Situated in a four-storey shophouse along Tanjong Pagar Road, the membership-based club was launched last month. It’s the first venture of Trapeze − a wellness-focused lifestyle company founded late last year by former management consultant GJ Wee.
Lifestyle entrepreneur GJ Wee set up Trapeze Rec. Club as a space for people to “find balance”.
On why the company decided to launch the 8,000 square feet club in the middle of a pandemic, Wee says: “I think Covid-19 shone a light on the importance of self care. With Covid came job uncertainty and heightened regulations, and all of this seemed to affect people’s mental, physical and social wellness.”
Trapeze Rec. Club’s in-house dining space Canteen features a menu co-curated by chef and content creator Sarah Benjamin.
As such, Wee wanted to create spaces and products that could help people find their balance in life – and fill up the gap in the market for an all-encompassing wellness destination.
Instead of big box gyms, Trapeze Rec. Club boasts a boutique gym to reflect the trend towards smaller and more holistic fitness training.
“I was facing the problem of going to one place for personal training, another for physiotherapy, yoga and so on,” explains the entrepreneur who spars competitively in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
The rec room at the club.
“I wanted to create a space where there was true integration of experts, products and services, reducing the need for multiple packages and having to travel to various wellness/fitness locations.”
The club offers four different types of yoga classes which are taught using a combination of Sanskrit and English.
Think of Trapeze Rec. Club as a one-stop shop for all these services, housed in a thoughtfully-designed venue. Plenty of natural light and greenery is weaved into the interior, which features a minimalist aesthetic and emphasis on symmetry.
Indulge in a session of foot reflexology at the club.
As for amenities, these include a yoga studio, gym, thermal suite, reflexology lounge, consultation rooms, retail space and cafe. The members-only thermal suite also has a private outdoor sauna and cold plunge pool with city views.
The lounge area at the venue’s thermal suite.
Ahead we chat with the lifestyle entrepreneur about wellness, how the Rec. Club’s design complements Trapeze’s wellness ethos and what patrons can expect from the unique concept.
How do you define wellness? It is such a broad term used today.
“It’s finding what works for me, and not following a specific ‘trendy’ diet or new workout of the week. It’s having a great night drinking with my friends, but also remembering to take my vitamins and exercising the following day.
I think people often confuse wellness with fitness, but I’m a firm believer that there are multiple dimensions of wellness that span across the physical, spiritual and emotional aspects. In a post-Covid world, wellness has been more about slowing down, practicing gratitude for being well and becoming increasingly connected with loved ones.
It’s taught me to prioritise my mental health.”
As an industry player, what are your observations towards the way Singaporeans perceive wellness?
“Singaporeans are a well-travelled bunch and from the people we’ve spoken to, we’ve noticed that they are generally into wellness − but mainly physical wellness. While they are aware of other dimensions of wellness, more can be done to educate consumers of the importance of a holistic, well-rounded approach.
Having said that, we’ve noticed a shift from big box gyms to more boutique ones. And globally, a move towards more holistic offerings where businesses don’t just focus on one aspect of wellness.”
Tell us more about the unique amenities offered by the club, like the thermal suite, reflexology lounge and consult rooms. What will these offer members?
“The thermal suite’s sauna (pictured) and cold plunge pool are actually practices dating back to ancient Rome, where hot and cold therapies were used for muscle recovery and improving blood circulation. We offer foot reflexology and half body options in our reflexology lounge but are looking into expanding our product range to include full body massages and Bioelectric therapy.
In our consult rooms, we offer sports massages and mental well-being therapy. We will be launching Traditional Chinese Medicine soon, where members and the public will be able to enjoy cupping, acupuncture and moxibustion services.”
The club also has a retail space. What are some merchandise on offer and how are they curated?
“The items on display are a mixture of lifestyle-focused wellness products from The Trapeze Store (an e-commerce concept of Trapeze) including the Anti-Anxiety Notebook, Palo Santo candles by Fredericks & Mae and Pahlavandles by Heroic Sport − just to name a few.
We have curated the products to be conscious and thoughtful items that make people’s lives and the spaces around them better.”
What are some of the club’s signature fitness classes, and how are they different from that of other fitness studios?
“Some of our signature classes are Playful Balance (a yin-yang style class) for yoga and Mobility & Movement for fitness. Our workout programming is designed for everyone regardless of their fitness levels, and grounded with a sense of play.
Our fitness classes, regardless of whether one chooses Strength or Endurance in addition to Mobility & Movement, include a combination of form, posture and pace, with a focus on injury prevention and sustainable training.
As for our yoga classes (pictured), we offer four different types including Ebb & Flow, Unwind and Grounded. These begin with a tenet for the day specific to each class, and are taught using a combination of Sanskrit and English.”
The club runs on a membership model. Are any services/products open to non-members?
“Currently, services including group fitness classes, reflexology, the cafe and mental well-being consultations are open to the public. The thermal suite is members-only, and they can enjoy complimentary and unlimited usage.
Members also have access to mobility screenings conducted by our fitness trainers, and perks from our growing list of F&B, grooming, self-care and lifestyle partners.”
Who are some of these partners, and how do you decide which ones to work with?
“Some of these partners include the likes of Clink Clink, Kind Kones, Sultans of Shave, Drink Morning, Sugar(ed) and Afterglow.
Building a community is important to us – whether as a team, engaging our members or through our partners. With that principle in mind, our priority is to reach out to brands and businesses in the area, including Keong Siak and Duxton, whose ethos align closely with our values.”
There is obviously a strong design and aesthetic aspect to Trapeze. How do design and wellness complement each other?
“The balance between creating a space for oneself and ‘taking care of one’s mind’ guided the design of the space. How products and spaces are designed enable and encourage us to behave in certain ways. Hence, it was only natural to take into account not only the aesthetic, but the affective aspects of the envisioned space.”
How would you describe the club’s aesthetic, and how do you hope it influences patrons?
“It was very much an exploration of the senses and understanding the effects that light, volume, texture, and colour had on how people felt. We then took these simple ideas and played around almost in a childlike way, to express them in the space so that people would ‘stumble’ across them.
We also placed a lot of importance on natural light and greenery. So much of the man-made world around us is tactilely monotonous, but in nature we’re surrounded by so much range – from mountains to forests to the ocean. I wanted to create a space that was textured and natural.
We also created spaces in the club that invite you to spend time with the community around you, whether you’re meeting someone new in class or there with a group of friends. There are nooks and crannies that encourage people to be around each other.”
Could you share more about the cafe, Canteen by Trapeze Rec. Club?
“We worked with chef and content creator Sarah Benjamin to develop the menu for Canteen (pictured). We wanted it to feature interesting foods like savoury yoghurt bowls, golden lattes and Ayurvedic smoothies, while ensuring they not only nourish the body but mind.
Speaking of Ayurvedic smoothies, we introduced adaptogenics and superfoods in our food and beverage programming. For example, Ashwagandha, reishi and bee pollen. We also keep our menu as clean as possible with no preservatives, added sugar and colouring.
Some of my personal favourite dishes include our Honey Mango Lassi for breakfast, the Spicy Dan Dan bowl for lunch and our Tropico Mango smoothie as my post-workout fuel.
The club also hosted an interactive mental wellbeing charity event and virtual mental wellbeing workshop recently.”
What are some other upcoming events we can look forward to?
“We’ll be turning the club into a funhouse on Halloween! Expect Halloween-themed classes, F&B and Instagrammable spots. In November, we’ll be organising our second virtual mental wellbeing workshop, together with a number of launches and special-themed classes. Finally, we will be ending the year with a Christmas campaign. More details to follow!”
Link: https://www.herworld.com/wellness/trapeze-rec-club-wellness-singapore
Healthy eats in Singapore: Must-visit cafes to satisfy your fitness goals
Healthy eats, hearty flavors – introducing Singapore’s top cafes to complement your active lifestyle
New year, new you. You’ve set your health and fitness goals and are determined to keep your resolutions. Besides starting an exercise routine, a clean diet – consuming whole foods that are minimally processed and as close as possible to their natural state – can go a long way towards improving your health in the new year. Yet, clean eating doesn’t mean bland eating; these healthy cafes in Singapore offer delicious and wholesome options you can enjoy.
3. Canteen by Trapeze Rec. Club
Holistic wellness club Trapeze Rec. Club boasts four storeys of holistic wellness with a vast range of classes, recovery facilities, personalised wellness consultation and recovery services. It also houses an in-house canteen serving up fresh, nutritious, hearty food and drinks. You’ll find coffee, bagels, smoothies, acai bowls and more.
Canteen by TRC is located at 27 Tanjong Pagar Rd, #02-00, Singapore 088450.
Link: https://www.herworld.com/life/must-visit-cafes-to-satisfy-your-fitness-goals
3 gym owners on the lessons they've learned during the pandemic
When the going gets tough, the tough get going
It’s a known fact that the COVID-19 pandemic has affected businesses worldwide. In Singapore alone, plenty of popular restaurants have shuttered their doors following several imposed lockdowns.
Besides restaurants, small local businesses such as retail outlets and gyms too, have had to significantly alter their modes of operation due to ever changing restrictions.
We speak to three gym founders: Bebe Ding of CRU Singapore, Eugena Bey of BE. Pilates, and GJ Wee of Trapeze Rec Club to find out how they’ve been navigating the constant changes led by the pandemic, how they’ve pivoted their businesses, and the advice they have for fellow business owners out there.
GJ Wee, Trapeze Rec. Club
Before opening Trapeze early this year, Wee spent several years in management consulting helping large companies grow bigger. “I figured I’d use the skillset I’d acquired to grow something from scratch. This, coupled with my keen interest in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, yoga, and S&C (strength & conditioning), led to the birth of Trapeze,” Wee explains.
“Trapeze is a wellness-focused lifestyle company, and we’re building a portfolio of health and wellness concepts. The first concept I was inspired to build is a holistic wellness club called Trapeze Rec. Club (TRC), a four-story space in a pre-war art deco shophouse along Tanjong Pagar Road. The club features programming that spans over 8,000 square feet – including a cafe, yoga studio, gym, reflexology lounge, outdoor cold plunge and sauna, and recreation rooms that house Mental Wellbeing, Sports Massage and TCM experts,” the entrepreneur goes on to share.
With the pandemic however, Wee has had to figure out ways to manage the company more effectively, whether it’s finding areas to save cost or introducing new products and services that could increase revenue. “By lowering our group class prices and introducing virtual classes, we ensured that people still had access to train with us. We’ve also kept some mask-on classes on our schedule, in order to allow non-vaccinated people to still be able to experience the club. As these are tough times, we also allow our members true flexibility to be able to pause, suspend or terminate their memberships easily”
On a personal level, Wee says the pandemic has shifted the focus from physical wellness to other dimensions of wellness including mental, social, financial, and occupational.
“I’ve been trying to find ways to tackle these challenges in the way I run my team. Whether it’s normalising mental health days, instead of only being able to take “MCs” when you’re physically unwell, or allowing true flexibility to be able to work the hours (and at locations) that work best for you, as long as you get your tasks done,” Wee expresses.
Virtual classes might be the in-thing at the moment but Wee believes in-person connections between teachers, coaches, and students are irreplaceable. “At TRC, we’ve noticed that in the last few weeks, the take-up rate for in-person classes has increased.”
Wee’s advice for business owners looking to start their own business in the current climate?
“Make the leap and dive in headfirst. It’s having the courage to just do it, and start, and when you’re in the thick of it, to remember to take breaks, and mental health days for yourself because it can be tiring. Remember that it is a marathon, not a sprint!”
Link: https://www.herworld.com/wellness/gym-owners-pandemic-lessons
This new fitness club in Tanjong Pagar focuses on wellness, mental health
More than a place for a good sweat-it-out session, Trapeze Rec Club, a soon-to-open fitness and recreation club in Singapore’s CBD, aims to focus on holistic wellbeing too.
f you are a fitness and wellness junkie in Singapore, chances are you already have your list of go-to gyms and studios for yoga, pilates, HIIT, spin and perhaps even martial arts classes.
But besides your favourite local tui na massage lady, do you have a place to rely on for all your post-workout recovery needs? And have you considered how you can improve not just your physical wellbeing but your mental and emotional health too?
Enter Trapeze Rec Club, the latest wellness concept located in a four-storey heritage shophouse on Tanjong Pagar Road. Slated to open in June, the club was founded by entrepreneur GJ Wee, who noticed a gap in the market for a “one-stop shop” of holistic options.
“I am quite active and love wellness but in terms of recovery options, the market is quite fragmented. For instance, I would have to visit a personal trainer, a physiotherapist and a yoga instructor separately,” said Wee, who competitively fights in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
Partly inspired by holistic wellness clubs in other big cities including New York, London and Sydney, Wee, who is UOB chief executive officer Wee Ee Cheong’s youngest child, added, “I thought it would be amazing to be able to go to one place and have all one’s wellness news taken care of – not just physical needs but also mental and emotional. I think that is really what’s lacking in Singapore.”
The 27-year-old, who was previously a management consultant with the Boston Consulting Group and is an investor in UFIT Singapore, believes Trapeze will be a good complement to the slew of lifestyle options in Tanjong Pagar.
“This neighbourhood has a number of wellness-focused and lifestyle businesses such as boutique hotels and we hope to complement and support these offerings,” she said.
While the space is currently undergoing renovations ahead of its official opening, its online store is up and running for those who would like to get a head-start on their journey to wellbeing with a carefully curated collection of products like mindfulness journals, incense kits and bath soaks.
Wee hopes that Trapeze will be able to play a part in raising more awareness for mental health in the country.
“I am a big advocate for mental health and I think more needs to be done in Singapore. We are trying to de-stigmatise mental healthcare by marrying the more accessible aspects of health like fitness and yoga classes with aspects that are less accessible such as mental health therapy,” she said.
“I believe that if mental health is integrated holistically with other wellness elements, and set in a beautiful space, coupled with great therapists, it might help to take the anxiety out of going to see a therapist.”
Prices are still being confirmed but Wee estimates that they will range between S$100 and S$400 a month, depending on the range of services that the individual would like to sign up for. There will not be annual contracts that lock consumers in. Drop-in sessions will also be available.
Wee strongly believes that the market is ready for such an all-encompassing concept. “After COVID-19, there has been a shift in how people view their health, especially mental health, and they are [now] more open to such wellness practices,” said Wee.
In fact, Trapeze, the name of the recreation club, points to this seeking of an equilibrium. It is derived from Wee’s favourite song, The Trapeze Swinger, by Iron and Wine.
She said, “I was thinking about what to name the company while hiking on a mountain in New Zealand in 2019 when the song came on. I realised the word resonated with me – in a circus, a trapeze act is about balance and what we are trying to do is help people find their balance.”