BHOPAL: Weight gain, loss of muscle mass, low energy levels and a lack of enthusiasm are some of the problems that the fitness enthusiasts of the city have faced due to the closure of gyms. As an alternative, some are doing workouts in their homes and others are jogging, running, cycling or playing outdoor games. But all of them are badly missing their daily sessions at the gyms. Nothing, they say, can replicate the experience of gyms. They want the government to allow gyms to operate as soon as possible.
While almost every establishment has reopened in the city since the process of unlock began on June 1, the gyms, swimming pools, malls, cinemas and coaching classes are still locked. There are some 600-700 gyms in the city with about 16,000 trainers working in them.
Building muscle strength
Ophthalmic surgeon Dr Savita Gupta has been a regular gym-goer for the past 15 years. ìIím feeling low and weak,î she says, when asked how the closure of gyms for over the past two months has affected her. She has been cycling outdoors as an alternative. ìCycling is good cardio exercise. But it does not build muscle strength. Only weight training under the guidance of a trainer can do that,î she says. And, for that, you need a gym.
Gained weight, lethargic
Pramod Jain, 64, a retired medical representative, has been a regular visitor to gyms for 14 years. He was missing gyms so much that he has employed a personal trainer for working out at his home. But thatís costly affair. Moreover, he is still not happy. ìIíve gained weight. I donít feel fresh. Iím lethargic and donít feel like working,î he says.
Online is no substitute
Ankita Sharma, a sportsperson, says that the past two months have been quite challenging for her. ìNot working out at gyms does make a difference to your strength,î she says. She is attending online classes taken by her gym trainer. She is also doing yoga and playing badminton. Ankita is spending around four hours on her fitness routine every day, which, she says, she would be able to complete in two hours at the gym. ìThe day gyms open will be the happiest day for me,î she says.
Muscle loss, weight gain
Model Farhan Qureshi says that he is facing muscle loss and weight gain due to the absence of workout at gyms. ìIím heavier by about 4 kg,î he says. Farhan does exercises at home. ìI do push-ups and other exercises, but that can hardly replace a gymming session. Gyms have equipment, gyms have trainers,î he says. For protein supplements to do their work, you need to exercise properly, he says.
Missing gym atmosphere
Lovleen Chatwal, a makeup artist, is exercising at home using online videos. She is missing the atmosphere in the gym, but says that something is better than nothing. She began with walking and then progressed to jogging and running. She is raring to rejoin her gym.
Avni Darwar, a graphic designer, says, ìItís easy to keep oneself motivated when everythingís going well. The real challenge is to stay disciplined when things get tough.î ìEarlier, I never used to miss my gym session. Even when I was sick, I used to visit the gym because itís the environment, the ambience, the presence of friends and the cheering by trainers that makes you push your limits. That canít be replicated at home,î she says.
A place for de-stressing
"People are facing muscle loss. Theyíre going into depression. Gym is not only the place where you exercise, itís also the place where you interact with others, where you de-stress. Iím conducting online classes. The idea is not to break the continuity, keep the bond between trainer and trainees intact, so that the people donít feel out of place when they resume their gym sessions." Satish Kumar, fitness trainer, Crossfit Gym
Walk-cheapest alternative
ëExercise should be a part of oneís daily routine. Just as you eat every day, so should you exercise every day. If gyms are closed, people should exercise in their homes. They can buy some basic equipment, such as treadmills and stationary cycles. Walking is the cheapest alternative." -Javed Naghmi, doctor
