A look at Gyms in Pune

Gyms - stretching beyond fitness

Be it Talwalkar’s, Gold’s or Abs - Pune’s gyms have changed the concept of exercising. It’s no more a mere place to pump iron and develop those six-inch biceps. Gyms today are all about working out together, de-stressing with friends and enjoying parties with members

Aditi Thirani Koregaon Park

It’s a whole new culture that Puneites are waking up to every morning. Working out or following up with a daily exercise regime at the gym as is commonly known. Gyms in Pune have taken on a new look. They are no more mere workout stations. They have gone way beyond their rugged and macho image. Today’s gyms are slic, smart and have that "come again" feel good look. Gaurav who works in a law firm says he goes to Talwalkar’s at Koregaon Park to de-stress and unwind. "It’s a place to make new friends and meet people from different backgrounds," he says. Gone are the days when both men and women had separate timings. Today both sexes are encouraged to work-out together. "I try not to miss out on my gym sessions every evening where I have made a good set of friends. It feels relaxing after a hectic day at office, " says Gaurav.

Gyms today are considered a way of life. It goes hand in glove with an upmarket lifestyle. Thanks to stress on fitness worldwide, gyms have become a part and parcel of daily living. Gyms like Gold’s are known for the parties they throw, outings they arrange and seminars they host to keep members updated with the goings on around them. Recently the gym arranged a screening of Spider-Man III for all its members. Good music, peppy CDs and air-conditioned environs are what today’s gyms are all about says Sanjay as an instructor at Talwalkar’s. "Crowds today are looking for good music, clean and friendly environs and a relaxed feel at the gym."

Abs in fact boasts a DJ in all its branches. Statistics at most gyms show the number of people enrolling are rising everyday. And the age group is not confined to the 20 plus or teenage bracket. Forty and 50 year-olds are today’s gym freaks who move from aerobics to cardio-vascular exercises with ease and flit from weights to the tread mill without showing signs of fatigue or muscle pull. And yes, gyms are increasingly encouraging potential customers to check out facilities before joining. Some of Pune’s gyms are also offering free trials. Gold’s, Abs and Talwalkars offer discounts stretching to 50% and packages to take you through the summer. Family membership at huge discounts are also being given to help the family unwind and exercise as a unit. After all, it’s not for nothing that a snob value has been attached to gyms today.