The Nepali gym of today is completely different from that of 20 years ago. Giving access to some equipment alone isn’t enough anymore. More and more facilities in our town are taking a multi-platform approach to helping Nepalis get healthy and excited about fitness in a fun way. And while as businesses the competition for them is getting tougher, they all can sense a major shift in the Nepali attitude. A fitness revolution, of sorts, seems to be on the horizon. Some of the most popular gyms in the capital share their opinions and experiences on the matter with The Week.

Gymkhana-Rahul Moktan

The buzz around Gymkhana has been impressive indeed but when asked about the immense popularity that it has garnered in such a short span of time, Moktan replies, “It may feel short for others, it’s been a long time in the making for me.”

Moktan has been back in Nepal for the past three years now. But he shares he had been planning Gymkhana for close to five years. Apparently, he had run gyms in Delhi, Gurgaon, and Goa as well. “Some did well, some failed,” he reveals and with lessons that were learnt from those experiences, he set about, not only laying out the design of the facility but also making the business model for his brand new gym. What’s more, he says, they are just getting started.

What do you think has helped attract so many people to Gymkhana?

People may workout at other gyms but you come here to train. That’s the feeling we are trying to convey. We are doing new things, in facilities with programs that are on par with those abroad.

Also, I have always felt that while Nepalis awareness level on the importance of fitness was improving, in sense of workout plans, the demands were not being met. For instance, in Nepal, fitness and bodybuilding has been somewhat synonymous. And this isn’t true. I have a lot of respect for body builders and what they do. But bodybuilding is a sport. It isn’t fitness. The latter requires different workout plans. There were obviously many who were wary of that too.

But do you find yourself having to justify the high registration fees to people?

I have had to explain, but not as much as I thought I might have to. I don’t deny it, we are expensive. But it is a lot cheaper than a hospital fee. My logic is that this is an investment. The membership may be pricey but do you have multiple instructors watching your individual progress during your workout sessions elsewhere? Whether we are teaching Muay Thai to beginners or counseling professionals, we don’t like to scrimp on the details. And the majority seems to appreciate this. Gymkhana hit its 100-member mark even before it hit the three months mark. 

How do you balance the fitness as well as the business aspect of owning a gym?

The social side of running a fitness facility is always there. We are not only promoting a healthy lifestyle, we also have Gymkhana-sponsored athletes. These are folks who might not be able to afford our services, but they can train here. We are more than happy to help to help.

But, at the same time, I don’t think I have to turn my entire business into a charity. Calling running a gym a social entrepreneurship is unsettling. I think the business aspect of any business is good as long as you know how to run your business. The reason I have faith in the project is because I know it’s genuine. A lot of thought has gone into the project but we are not only chasing paper. We are passionate about Muay Thai and fitness. We are also chasing our dream.

Niraamayae Fitness-Rosy Pun

For Pun, it started with her own weight issues. Way back when she was underweight and wanted to improve her lifestyle, she shares exercise turned out to be the best solace. Soon enough, she found herself training to be an instructor and though she admits to initially being uncertain about starting off with her own gym, later she gave in, for good.

“I finished my major but working in other fields just didn’t give me the same joy,” says Pun. Now with Niraamayae Fitness, her goal has apparently become to facilitate as well as advocate the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.

What do you think is your responsibility as a proprietor of a gym?

You can’t afford to be stagnant. That’s the biggest danger to a gym and I am not only talking in regards to the competition that seems to be mushrooming around town. This also applies to the clients. The fitness industry in many ways is like the fashion industry. It’s always evolving. There are new trends, new research, and programs and there is a need to be on top of all that. 

As a proprietor of the gym as well as an instructor, my aim is to make our clients enthusiastic about exercising. I have found that incorporating new programs is an incredibly effective way to keep our clients motivated. So you always need to keep up.

Did you feel it’s important to turn your gym into brands these days?

Since the beginning itself, I was eager to deliver new and different ways to the working out experience. In the end, I think that’s the most important things.

I learned a lot while working as a freelance instructor as well. Not only did I get to experience other gyms but also talk to the clients on a regular basis. So with notes from all of that, whether it was opening a separate ladies section, a gym café, or having a professional nutritionist and physiotherapist on call, we made the quality of our services the priority. I think the experience you give your clients helps create your brand. 

We even branched out with Niraamayae Academy and are training aspiring instructors because we felt there was an interest. When you are meeting your clients’ demands, the word spreads among the people. It’s inevitable.

So how has the experience of running a gym been so far?

You learn new things as you work. I have actually noticed that going to a gym for people isn’t only about the physical or even psychological wellbeing. There is a social aspect to this as well. I have seen so many clients become friends here, and some have been so for years now. There are lots of people who come for the social interaction as much as they come for the exercise. So, we keenly work towards creating and maintaining this friendly, welcoming environment in the gym. It makes the job that much better.

Rage-Fitness- Sandesh Palungwa Limbu

Limbu and his 20 years plus working experience as a master trainer has helped cement Rage Fitness’s reputation as one of the most prominent gyms around town. However, matters of training and fitness aside, Limbu insists that at its heart this business is a people to people business. 

“A lot of people can afford to buy a variety of equipment and work out at home but it’s not a gym,” he points out. “At a gym, you get an environment of motivation, energy and a focused approach to individual goals under supervision,” he adds. 

As far as he is concerned, Rage Fitness’s brand has been built around understanding client’s needs and meeting them. “They speak for us,” concludes Limbu.

Compared to your starting days to today, what sort of facilities have you witnessed your clients be more attracted to?

From the world perspective, fitness is a billion dollar and ever evolving industry. Which means the equipment, information, mode and interest are constantly changing. I think gym owners have understood that clients are looking for certain standards in terms of facilities and training services. It may start with, clean, hygienic, well-spaced gym spaces but these days, the clients are also aware of different, new programs on offer and, even though they require different setups, we must be ready for that.

Do you feel the “gym-ing culture” in our country is still largely just a fad or are Nepalis genuinely interested in the healthy and fit lifestyle?

I think it’s still a divided interest. Some people have truly understood that exercise is an integral lifestyle choice to promote healthier living while others are still on a quest to lose weight, try something new. But whatever the case may be, I always encourage people to take up exercising, even in the most basic form.  

I was recently in a remote part of Nepal and there was a standardized gym with a good number of clients. This for me is a clear indication that the importance of organised exercise is growing, and gyms are here to stay.

What do you think has helped your gym earn a loyal clientele base?

Exercise appears to be a physical aspect but it is equally about emotions and human psychology. We understand this and we work as a team with the client to help him/her achieve his/her fitness goals. We expect our trainers to teach and serve rather than instruct and command. It helps that our approach to training is scientific as well as humane. We are very clear about what we promise and work together on fulfilling it.

 
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