- Rory Tufano
- Apr 22
- 3 min read
Stronger together: Root Fitness Hike Kinabalu 2024 Experience redefined what it means to live bolder for 10 adventurers from Singapore.
In March 2024, a group of individuals from around the world set out to conquer one of Asia’s greatest physical challenges: A hike to Mount Kinabalu's summit, the tallest peak in Southeast Asia.
This wasn’t a fitness retreat, it was a mission. What started as a bold goal became a shared transformation involving trials, challenges, sore legs, spectacular views, and a summit sunrise that none of us will ever forget.
It started with a question: What if I trained with purpose?
At Root Fitness, we don’t just train to look good, we train to do things: To explore. To adventure. To experience. To live bolder.
That’s why we launched Experiences—annual challenges that marry structured training and real-world adventures.
In the 6–8 weeks leading up to the hike, every participant followed a custom training guide designed to prepare their body and sharpen their mindset for the challenge ahead. Sessions focused on:
Lower body strength and joint durability.
Core stability for long ascents.
Cardiovascular endurance and conditioning.
Flexibility and recovery work for sustainable progress and injury prevention.
We held weekly group bootcamps in Singapore to hold each other accountable—both fitness and bonds were built before we even stepped foot on the mountain.
“What made this trip even more special was the bootcamp sessions we had before the hike. They well-prepared us for the exploration and activity ahead.” — Rai
The climb: From sweat to summit
The mountain gave us everything: Stunning scenery, biting wind, challenging ascents, and friendships that can only be earned through shared struggle.
After sharing a night in the cosy cabins at Kinabalu Park HQ, we began day 1 with a group breakfast to fuel us for the first and longest ascent to Panalaban Base Camp (3,272 m). We spent the night huddled in sleeping bags and blankets and sharing stories, games, and food with the other groups attempting the summit.
On dat 2, we began before dawn, headlamps lighting the path, as we climbed through the cold, the dark, and the silence toward the summit. We made it, together, and enjoyed the sunrise across the roof of Southeast Asia at 4,095 m.
“Climbing Kinabalu was an exhilarating experience! Even better to have been able to do it with great people and with peace of mind that all of the organisation had been taken care of by Root Fitness.” — Melanie
Stronger together. Changed forever.
Each participant came to Mount Kinabalu for a different reason. Some wanted to challenge themselves physically, others mentally. One just had something to prove to herself and weren't sure they'd make it. But every single one of them did.
They trained smart, relied on one another, and discovered the strength that only reveals itself when you push past "comfortable".
“I loved the small community of participants and the personal encouragement from Root Fitness to get excited and prepared to hike 4,095 m.” — Cindy
All of us standing atop Mount Kinabalu was proof to that fitness isn’t about perfection, it’s about purpose.
Are you ready to live bolder? Then come and Hike Kinabalu
This is your chance to combine your training with real-world adventure.
This Experience takes place annually in mid-May. Training begins 6 weeks beforehand in early April, where you'll be physically and mentally prepared to take on one of the most rewarding challenges you’ll ever face.
It’s a bold decision to change how you see yourself. And the version of you who finishes it? They’re stronger. They’re bolder. And they’re just getting started.
Get stronger. Live bolder. Train with Root Fitness.
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