Founded in 2003 by Sng Puay Liang with the dream of helping children of all ability levels achieve their physical potential, BazGym, a leading gymnastics school, has been making waves in the industry for two decades. Headed by General Manager Cheng Wen Kai, BazGym has become a beacon of excellence, renowned for their gymnastics classes for children of all ages.
With a commitment to quality education and inclusivity, BazGym has garnered recognition both locally and internationally.
At BazGym, their dedication goes beyond teaching gymnastics skills. They have successfully developed a range of complimentary products and services to cater to children of all levels, including those with special needs. Additionally, BazGym extends their expertise to adults, providing them with opportunities to enhance their physical abilities and embrace an active lifestyle.
The remarkable success of BazGym has led to its expansion beyond Singapore, with a branch now established in Bali. This international venture is just the beginning, as BazGym has plans to further broaden the company’s reach across borders, bringing the joy of gymnastics to children around the region.
The story behind BazGym’s growth is rooted in Wen Kai’s personal journey. Joining the company a decade ago, Wen Kai quickly recognized the potential to make a significant impact on young lives. Having experienced the transformative power of gymnastics during his own teenage years, he set out on a mission to help more children discover their strength and build confidence through this sport.
Puay Liang and Wen Kai firmly believe in the numerous benefits of gymnastics, which extends far beyond physical fitness. It instils discipline, perseverance, and a sense of accomplishment, fostering holistic development in young individuals. Through their programmes, BazGym aims to provide children with a solid foundation that will serve as a springboard for their future physical achievements.
The path to success has not been without its challenges. When Wen Kai first joined BazGym, he encountered high turnover rates and rudimentary business practices. However, with a strong belief in continuous learning and improvement, he took efforts to transform their old practices, through going for upgrading courses and reading up about what the best companies were doing.
Recognizing the significance of digitization, Wen Kai harnessed the power of technology to enhance business processes and customer experience, taking two years to fully transit to a cloud-based customer management system that was much more efficient and robust than previous methods. This transformation proved to be a blessing during the Covid lockdown, where the team were able to manage all students’ accounts and communications online, allowing them to run online classes seamlessly and keep their students fit during the stay-home period.
Next, he also addressed the issue of manpower shortage and high turnover by systematically looking at various issues and solving them over the years with a strategic plan in hand. Importantly, he believed in building and retaining a strong team of passionate staff through actively increasing wages over the years by improving skillsets, product quality and business practices. This approach not only ensured a highly experienced and motivated team but also underscored BazGym’s commitment to valuing and nurturing their staff.
BazGym’s dedication to the community is commendable. Their PhysioGym program, run at their own centres and across different special education schools in Singapore, has been making a positive impact for children with special needs for over a decade. By providing specially tailored gymnastics classes, BazGym supports these children, improving their physical abilities, and promoting inclusion.
The driving force behind Wen Kai’s pursuit of success lies in the knowledge that BazGym’s efforts have far-reaching implications. He understands that their impact extends beyond the students, positively influencing colleagues and partners in the industry and creating a ripple effect of inspiration and transformation.
BazGym’s exceptional achievements have not gone unnoticed. The company has been honoured with the prestigious SME 500 award for the past three consecutive years, acknowledging their outstanding contribution to the business landscape. Additionally, they have been recognized as the Singapore Gymnastics Club of the Year for two consecutive years, a testament to their positive impact on the gymnastics community in Singapore. Among the numerous milestones BazGym has achieved, emerging stronger after the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic stands out as a particularly rewarding achievement. This experience has not only strengthened the team spirit but also instilled confidence in the team’s ability to overcome future crises.
Another thing that sets BazGym apart from its competitors is their innovative and non- traditional approach. They prioritise designing policies with both customers and staff in mind, and constantly seek ways to improve both customer-service experience, as well as staff welfare. This people-centric approach has become their hallmark and a key differentiator in the industry. Embracing innovation is central to BazGym’s operations. By hiring staff from diverse backgrounds and industries, they infuse fresh perspectives and creative thinking into their practices, and widen their talent pool simultaneously. They allow hybrid work arrangement for administrative staff, demonstrating their commitment to adaptability and embracing change.
To retain their clients, BazGym places a strong emphasis on their programmes. They prioritise the development of robust and high-quality programmes that cater to their students’ growth needs and aspirations and then selecting quality staff to deliver such programmes. By fostering an environment where students truly grow in, and learn lessons that textbooks do not teach, BazGym ensures a long-lasting relationship with their clients.
Operational efficiency is a priority for BazGym. They draw inspiration from leading companies across various industries, adopting cross-industry practices to continually optimise their operations. Importantly, Wen Kai also maintains a close relationship with his staff, enabling quick resolution of any issues that arise. As part of ongoing improvement efforts, BazGym is also in the process of digitising their HR system and implementing a cloud-based HR system that will allow their staff to do claims, apply for leave or check their pay-slips in a more efficient manner.
BazGym’s company culture is marked by a healthy and nurturing environment. They prioritise the well-being of their staff, providing ample opportunities for open communication and actively seeking feedback to better understand their needs. This fosters a culture of trust, collaboration, and continuous growth, ensuring that everyone at BazGym feels valued and supported.
BazGym’s journey is a testament to the transformative power of gymnastics and the unwavering commitment of Wen Kai and his team. Through their dedication to excellence, inclusivity, and innovation, they have not only created a thriving gymnastics establishment but also positively impacted the lives of countless children and the gymnastics community as a whole.
As BazGym continues to evolve and expand its horizons, it is clear that their legacy of empowering children, fostering strength, and instilling confidence will continue to shine brightly. With Wen Kai’s visionary leadership and a powerful team united by their passion for improving children’s lives, BazGym is poised to inspire future generations, one leap and somersault at a time.
