Gift of health, most popular for New Year

J Geetanjali is an IT employee and wanted to give her husband something special this year. “My husband loves football.

He used to play in his college years but has lost touch with the sport. All he does now is watch the game on television or play it on his PS4. I have signed him up at a Football meet-up group online. They book one of the indoor arenas every week to play the sport and that’s my new year gift to him,” she said. There are many centres in the city that are taking fitness to beyond gyms. There are people, who take surfing holidays or use it as an opportunity to learn a new skill. 

“My mother is constantly complaining of joint pain. I have enrolled her in a swimming class at the age of 60. Instead of buying her clothes or jewellery, this will do her more good,” said Aritha V.

Dancing is also one of the preferred options. Mansoor Ahmed, a dance instructor, said, “Over the years dancing has become one of the favourite workout routines thanks to the viral videos online. I have got at least 20 requests in the past one week asking if we teach popular choreography.

Most of them want to perform it at the new year parties or surprise their loved ones.”

Not just for the new year, but there are many preparing for the New Year’s Eve. “We had an eight-week challenge for our members where they were trained to feel and look at their best by December 31. The idea was why wait for the new year where one can start right away. The point is to feel fit rather than just bodybuilding,” said Adith Arun of F45 training centre.