BENGALURU: Protein bars and energy drinks may not be your idea of a wild Friday night, but Bengalureans are flocking to such ‘fitness parties’. These are where people dance but with one eye out for calories burnt, munch on julliened veggies (not crisps) and drink to keep hydrated. We even hold a Guiness Record for hosting one of the biggest such bashes in India.
A city-based dentist Aditi Sharma wanted to give a farewell party to her friend who was leaving for USA. To do something unique, she decided to host a fitness party at home.
She had about ten people for the party at home. She says, “I learned about Gympik that organises such parties through my friend. We never had hosted such a party before. It was good team experience with dancing, healthy food and energy drinks.”
She adds, “Fitness parties really help. It motivates you. My friend also had a great time.”
Fitness at Your Doorstep
She says space is not a constraint when hosting this party. “We simply spread out a carpet... Fitness is very important and this is fitness at your doorstep. The trainers get the music system and everything required.”
She finds it better than gymming. “My husband and I are members of a gym. We went a couple of times too but it was tiring. Travelling to gym also took a toll.”
A popular trend in USA, fitness parties are also catching on in India, says Shwetambari Shetty, co-founder of The Tribe Fitness Club. “It has become quite the rage. I am invited to one every other month. The zumba classes are not restricted to gyms, they are hosted in hotels and clubs in several cities such as Bengaluru, Mumbai and Pune.”
Record Holder
Shwetambari is also listed on the Guinness Book of World Record for hosting India’s biggest zumba fitness party, with 1600 people, in Mumbai recently.
Though the trend started with zumba, other formats such as combat training, functional training and masala Bhangra are being tried as well.
Working out in a gym can get monotonous. “Indians are not driven to exercise and so they don't stick to gymming. Fitness parties break the monotony and you become part of a fun community. There is friendly competition and each person can burn 1,500 calories in about four-hour session. In an hour’s regular class, they burn 500 to 800 calories.”
There is no age bar to attend such parties. “There was a 58-year-old woman who was at a party in Pune recently. She did well.”
Family Fun
An IT professional Kaavya Ramaswamy says these are good for families as well. "There’s no alcohol served and you spend quality time with them. My family is health conscious so we really enjoyed it. The snacks served were also healthy.”
She learned about the fitness parties through her friend a month ago. She says, “I wanted to give it a try and now I have been two already. Once it was aqua zumba and it was organised in two batches, so that the pool does not get crowded. You get to meet new people."