More city eves workout at gym to keep body, mind healthy

INDORE: Caught between irregular duty hours and burdened with a host of household chores at home, working out at gym has become as a perfect way out for the employed women in the city to keep them mentally and physically energised.
Amidst office work, managing home and taking care of their children, women professionals in the city find it difficult to devote time for physical fitness and personal matters.Vibha Sood, a professional, believes that after joining the gym, she feels refreshed. A few years back, shopping was her priority, but now she never fails to make it to the health club. "Workout at the health club has helped me gain stamina. I workout everyday for at least an hour. Also, it helps me stay fit," she says.
Another professional, Sharmila Bidwai, says, "In order to put in my best at workplace, I need to be energised and gym is the best means to do so. It helps me stay fit and feel energetic."
Gyms and fitness centres across the city witnessed a rise in the membership of working women, housewives and students. Apart from guidance for regular workout, the health clubs offer other services including fitness programmes, yoga, power yoga and aerobics.
Until a few years ago, there were only a few a few working women, who frequented a health club to burn the extra fat. However, the situation has changed today. With the fact that the city's leading gyms are registering around 30% participation from the women folk, particularly when it comes to activities like fitness and power yoga.
Dr Khushboo Agrawal, general manager of an up-market gym in the city, says, "We have around 40-50% female members in all three branches of our gym. Women show a greater interest in power yoga, aerobics, kettle bell training and cardio training programmes. Other than professionals, housewives and students and even elderly women too show a greater inclination towards cardio training."
Other than staying physically fit, women also join health clubs to tone up their bodies and recover from back and knee injuries. Sonal Godha, marketing manager of a gym at C 21 mall, says "College going girls often come here to get toned and have a perfect figure. While working women and housewives want to stay fit and increase bodily strength."
Piyu Jain, a medical student, often feels lethargic and physically inactive after extended study hours and college timings. "Gymming has made me active and it also helps me maintain a good figure." she says. While Sonali Jain, who is a housewife, believes that workout at gym makes her look younger.
Dr Mohit Bhandari, a gastrointestinal and laparoscopic surgeon, considers it necessary for people to impart healthy living habits along with going to a gym. Healthy diet, sound sleeping, meditation and controlled intake of alcohol will help people keep physically fit.
"For people with body mass index (BMI) of less than 30, working out in gym will help them stay fit. But for those, who have BMI above 30, excessive workout may result in diseases like arthritis," he says.
Personal trainers and the concept of happy hours that comprise afternoon hours and promises a discount of 20%, in most gyms and fitness centres across the city have given a further boost to workout among women.
Happy Hours
Most up-market gyms in the city have introduced the concept of happy hours wherein both women and men can apply for gym memberships for a discounted rates and work out in afternoon hours.