Fourteen years ago, Madam Kartini Abdul Rahman started thinking of ways to encourage her fellow Malay women to exercise more. Many of those women did not exercise because they did not feel comfortable at the thought of wearing sports clothing. Madam Kartini then created kebayarobics.

Today, thanks to Kartini's fervour in promoting this activity, hundreds of ladies, young and old and even teenage boys are participating in this form of exercise to maintain their health and gain fitness, at community centers all over Singapore.

How does it differ from standard aerobics classes?
It is a medium-impact workout combining aerobic movements and Jaipong rhythm (a type of Indonesian music) which can be performed in loose-fitting kebayas and head scarves.

Who should or should not do it?
Anyone can do it - and not just kebaya wearers. Most of the early participants were women over 40, but now there are even teenage boys taking part.

For a beginner, what is the hardest part to master?
It can take a few weeks to master and remember the steps to go with the music. Once you know the steps, the whole exercise is easy to follow

Where to go for kebayarobics:

• Ace the Place CC, Block 547 Woodlands Drive 16, #01-177 Tel: 6891-3430, 6891-3494
• Lam Soon CC, Block 421 Choa Chu Kang Avenue 4 #01-218 Tel : 6765-1598, 6769-1598
• MacPherson CC, 400 Paya Lebar Way Tel: 6745-2940, 6745-2946
• Nee Soon East CC, 1 Yishun Avenue 9 Tel: 6257-0446, 6257-9429
• Sembawang CC, 2125 Sembawang Road Tel: 6758-4183, 6758-4184
• Sengkang CC, Block 2 Sengkang Square, #01-01 Sengkang Community Hub Tel: 6312-5400
• Tampines North CC, 2 Tampines Street 41 Tel: 6783-2900, 6783-2254
• The Frontier CC, Block 60 Jurong West Central 3 #01-01 The Frontier Community Club Tel: 6795-8229
• Yio Chu Kang CC, 50 Ang Mo Kio, Street 61 Tel: 6457-0414, 6458-8409
• ZhengHua CC, No 1 Segar Rd Tel: 6310-6702

 Fees vary for community clubs, ranging from $50 (members) to $55 (non-members) for 10 sessions. Classes are held once a week for one hour each.