Fortitude Martial Arts and Fitness (Singapore)

Singapore— After relishing scenic views of islands and volcanoes in Indonesia, my friend and I arrived in Singapore. Among backpackers, Singapore is commonly referred as “two-day stopover country.” Most backpackers stay in Singapore to take a breather from the natural wonders of Southeast Asia and enjoy the westernized city. Since I was visiting Derek who currently resides in Singapore, my exposure to the country was slightly different with local neighborhood and restaurants apart from high-end shopping malls and crowded tourist attractions. There I had an opportunity to train at Fortitude Martial Arts and Fitness. 

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City
Singapore is a sovereign city-state in Southeast Asia. Despite being one of the smallest countries in Asia, Singapore has the 3rd highest GDP per capita, and it is a major center for business and finance in Asia. The unique and affluent city combines the skyscrapers with a medley of Chinese, Malay and Indian culture. In Southeast Asia, Singapore remains not only a transport hub for travelers but also a luxurious tourist destination with copious shopping malls and vibrant night-life scene.

Overview
Fortitude BJJ Academy is led by Vinc Tan who is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Luis Carlos “Manimal”. Despite being a late joiner in the BJJ world, he traveled to Brazil and the United States to find top academies to dedicate himself to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. With his devotion to BJJ, he received his black belt within 5 years of training. Since establishing Fortitude Academy in 2014, Vinc has brought his training experiences from all around the globe as a previous BJJ Globetrotter to Singapore. 

As Singapore is home to many expats from all around the world, Fortitude academy was Globetrotters friendly. As soon as I walked into the academy, several students welcomed me and asked about my travels and training around the world. They are open to sharing not only Jiu-Jitsu techniques but also their experiences in Singapore. Everyone trains BJJ abroad for various reasons, but this is why I choose to train Jiu-Jitsu while on the road. 

Recently, Fortitude BJJ relocated its facility to a new location near the City Square Mall with its increasing popularity. The new academy is 2.5 times bigger than the previous location, and I am hoping to visit Fortitude’s new facility in the near future! Fortitude BJJ offers various classes ranging from fundamental to sparring intensive classes. As classes are offered 3–4 times in the evening, there should be no excuse to skip your training in Singapore. Whether you are in Singapore for business or leisure, you should drop by Fortitude BJJ Academy for its high-quality training sessions.

Location
The public transportation in Singapore is well established, and the gym can be easily accessed via subway. The academy is an only 5-minute walk from the Farrer Park station on the North East line and less than a minute walk from the City Square Mall. (Google Map: Link)

Schedule
The academy’s most recent schedule is posted below:

Visitor Fee
The drop-in fee is S$40 (~$29 USD) per class. 
<<Exchange Rate: S$10 =~$7 USD as of August 15th, 2018>>

Miscellaneous
Fortitude Martial Arts has an English website that you might find helpful.

Tourist Attractions

• Marina Bay — Marina Bay is the most iconic district in Singapore with its hotels, skyscrapers, and tourist attractions. Overlapping the Financial District and Clarke Quay, this district displays how Singapore has become one of the most luxurious travel destinations in the world. 

• Clarke Quay —Located at the fringe of Singapore’s Central Business District, Clarke Quay is a historical landmark along the Singapore River. At present, the district has been refurbished into floating pubs and restaurants. River cruises and taxis can be also accessed from Clarke Quay.

• Fort Canning Hill — Formerly Bukit Larangan (Forbidden Hill in Malay), the park allows you to escape the busy city with its various walking trails and exotic plants. Fort Canning Hill has a long history intertwined with Singapore due to its strategic location, and it is now a popular venue for music concerts. 

Hyperlinks
– Google Maps
– Website

Source
– Singapore Map
– Facility