Can’t execute a flawless burpee? Never mind, try a simple plank then. If that is too much to ask, get out and play cricket or go for a walk. Because if you don’t feel up to it, all you probably need to do is move. Gyms these days are no longer intimidating spaces that demand exacting standards of perfection from their clients. They are flexible, friendly environments that let you be.
Bounce Fitness Studio, Panampilly Nagar
| Photo Credit:
Thulasi Kakkat
This is the age of niche gyms that help you discover your own fitness goals and gently goad you to achieve them. When Alexander VS founded Bounce Fitness Studio at Panampilly Nagar in Kochi eight years ago, he insisted that it be a “nurturing space” rather than a “torturing” one. A fitness professional for over 25 years, he consciously decided to take a couple of steps backward.
“Fitness cannot be seen as an isolated objective. It is a combination of various factors that trace back to a person’s way of life — eating and sleep patterns, time in nature, the activities carried out in a day, life circumstances, history of illnesses and overall sense of wellbeing,” he says. Therefore, every workout plan is different, based on what suits the person. “We have come a long way from the Arnold Schwarzenegger-inspired body building clubs, where we associated fitness solely to having a six pack.”
Bounce Fitness Studio
| Photo Credit:
Thulasi Kakkat
The best part is that it is open to a cross section of people. From children above the age of 10 to senior citizens, everyone is welcome. “Mothers don’t have to stay at home because they have no one to leave their young children with. They can bring them along,” adds Alexander.
‘Kerala’s nicest gym’
A community workout session in progress at Sol Studio, Pulleppady
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement
Recently, lifestyle wellness coach Rahib Mohamed, popularly known as Bheegaran, had a grandmother walk in with her toddler asking if she could let the child play in the “park” at his Sol Studio at Pulleppady, Kochi. “When I told her it was a gym, she was amused,” says Rahib, whose core philosophy was built on breaking this very stereotype. “I was sure the space should not look like a gym,” he says. The high-ceilinged, well-lit floor space with large windows does not have a conventional gym atmosphere. It spills over to the outdoors with a 3,000 square feet area, where the community workouts are held. “I didn’t want it to be Kerala’s biggest gym, but I did want it to be the nicest,” says Rahib, who has opened a branch in Kozhikode as well.
Sol Studio, Pullepady
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement
The workout plans at these boutique gyms are often a combination of cardio, strength, and mobility training, where functional fitness is the key. “The idea is to change the way people think about fitness. So, what if you have body fat? You could still be extremely fit. We push people to understand their bodies better and what they want from it,” Rahib adds.
Social connections
Working out is not a solitary pursuit, it forges social connections. People crave connection, especially after COVID-19, and many of the fitness plans work best as a group activity, feels Rahul Kuttickat, who launched Ashante Nenju Fitness Centre at Ponekkara soon after the pandemic. “People love the energy of a group workout and it builds a sense of community,” he adds. Ashante Nenju was the result of Rahul’s exploration of how one can define fitness. He says, “I did a lot of research to arrive at my own philosophy. I ask prospective clients: ‘Do you want to look at the BMI (body mass index) or be able to confidently walk up a flight of stairs’?”
Ashante Nenju at Ponekkara
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement
He has had clients with disabilities — a wheelchair user and a former soldier who lost his arms. “It is about helping people improve their way of life and movement,” adds Rahul.
No push-up pressure
Even among the public, there has been a gradual shift in attitude towards fitness, says Ligin P Johnson, founder of Box and Build, a fitness centre at Kadavanthra, which also offers training in boxing. The unassuming space, with just a few machines, a rappelling wall, and a punching bag, transforms into a vibrant arena during the group workout sessions, which, says Ligin, are a huge draw. Ligin’s clients range from a five-year-old to a 65-year-old. “We analyse each person’s strengths, weaknesses and goals before devising a plan for them,” he adds. “For instance, just because one person can do 50 push ups, does not mean the other should do the same.”
This is not to say that the approach is laid back. The goal is to motivate people to be consistent. “It all boils down to motivation. Today, AI can give you everything, including workout videos based on your personal needs for free. But how long can you sustain that motivation?” asks Rahib.
By offering a space that does not add to the stress of daily life, these gyms help one arrive at one’s own goals at one’s own pace.
