Author: Edwin Chew, Senior Instructor Genesis Health & Performance

Coaching Team Singapore - The Singapore Silat Team

Every Athlete’s dream is to be the best and win the Gold Medal.  As the Strength & Conditioning Coach for the Singapore National Silat team for the past year, I have had the opportunity to work with the new rookies who had just entered the Singapore Silat Team as well as the past and current world champions.

Thanks to the hard work of both the coaches and the athletes, competition results over the past year (2007-2008) have been great. Gold medals have been achieved in Sea Games, World Silat Championship and the European Countries Open. I am very proud of them.

The different resistance programs I design have to increase the athletes' strength and power not just in the gym but in competition as well.

One of the skills needed as a strength and conditioning coach is the ability to communicate and work hand in hand with the Silat coaches who manage the athlete’s agility and skill training.

Athletes train up to six days a week, which include twice a week of weights training. Each session is about 60mins long.

Athletes are classified into certain weight class in Silat competitions. Staying at the optimal weight means not carrying around any extra fat so being strong and lean is our goal.

To achieve this goal, I had to teach even these high level athletes healthy eating habits. Many of them had poor nutrition that need to change if they were to achieve their goals.

They took the time and effort to make adjustments and now they are even preparing their own food. Good eating habits and diet is a huge factor in their recovery and success.

One of the challenges that all these athletes face is having to juggle between work, studies and training. It is not easy. You definitely have to be very positive and mentally strong to take the physical pain and the stresses of life.

The difference between the champions and losers is that the champions never complained and the weaker ones quit. To study and train full time is definitely the toughest of all. Athletes face problems like rushing to train after school, late for training because of missing public transports, coping with addition classes, homework and exams. However they always train hard and have a smile on their face during training.

Besides working as strength and conditioning coach for Singapore national sports teams, I also coach at Genesis Health & Performance which is owned by Coach Jon, one of the top trainers I have worked with.

I am glad to have been part of the coaching staff at Genesis since the very first day. Results at Genesis have been great. Some of the clients start off with below average fitness (or even less), but within a few months they make great improvement and achieve their goals. Awesome!! 

A personal trainer or Strength and Conditioning Coach may not seem be the most glamorous job out there. You do not wear shirts, pants and ties to work. And many people think that it is a very simple and brainless job. You just need huge muscles.

Yes, looking strong and fit is a positive image to set but to be a good professional in the fitness industry you have to be able to coach well; you have to plan a suitable and effective workout program. Non stop studying and upgrading is a must to understand the complex human body better.

You face challenges of different physical problems in every clients or athletes and improve them. You encourage them to have a healthier lifestyle. They make changes, train hard, see results, get into the best shape of their life and achieve their goal. What is more satisfying than that?

How does a top athlete manage to perform great all year round and stay in top shape? How does someone close to you manage to keep in great shape despite the hectic working life in Singapore? How much time and efforts they have put in?  They use their most valuable resource well. Time! If you and I use time well, anything is achievable. So see you in the gym!

Coach Edwin Chew -  ASCA Level 2, NSCA CPT
Senior Instructor, Genesis Health & Performance

Written For www.CoachJon.com Singapore Personal Trainer & Fitness Expert

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