Fire City Gym in Kampong Bugis has been offering free weekly fitness classes for visually impaired and deaf individuals since May 2026 [1, 2]. The gym, which covers 185 square meters, holds two-hour sessions every Saturday attended regularly by about 10 participants aged from their 20s to 60s, mostly visually impaired with some deaf individuals [1, 2].
Founder Samuel Lim, 44, opened Fire City Gym in 2011 and launched the inclusive fitness programme in July 2025. Initially, around seven visually impaired participants paid a token fee of 13 Singapore dollars per class [1, 2]. After nearly a year, the programme expanded and became free of charge to widen access [1, 2].
Classes include vision mapping, mobility drills, skill practices such as balancing, a 1-kilometre run, and general workouts tailored to the needs of participants [1, 2]. Lim’s motivation to offer free classes increased after he competed in two Hyrox doubles events in April 2026 alongside visually impaired athletes [1, 2].
Since gaining media coverage of participants’ involvement in athletic events, Fire City Gym has seen a rise in enquiries from volunteers and new enrolments. The programme currently supports around 30 active participants [1, 2].
One runner in the programme, Ms Siti Fairus Rahmad, diagnosed with Usher syndrome, has credited the classes with boosting her confidence and providing valuable support [1, 2].
Fire City Gym continues to hold its weekly sessions at its Kampong Bugis location every Saturday, maintaining its focus on fitness inclusion for people with sensory impairments [1, 2].
