DANCE AWAY THE FLAB
Ditch the boring gym routine and sign up for these Bhangra fitness classes in your city.
PUNJAB'S
vibrant and invigorating folk dance, Bhangra, is now the latest fitness fad among people across all age groups. Young Bhangra trainers have taken the folk dance to a new level by improvising it—keeping the basic steps intact, and blending it partially with aerobics. It is being lapped up by high-end gyms in Chandigarh and Punjab as the new way to keep fit. It offers strenuous exercise movements for every body part, sprinkled with a dose of fun.
Bhangra instructor Jassi Singh, 26, has created his own niche workout modules around Bhangra under the aegis of Xtreme Bhangra Fitness. Singh conducts Bhangra classes at Sub Zero gym in sector 9, Bolt Gym in Chandigarh's sector 22 and Jacked Fitness, Panchkula. “I introduced fitness Bhangra two years ago and started promoting it at gyms,” says Singh, a trained choreographer. Bhangra fitness has been segregated into two levels. “In the first level, we teach basic Bhangra steps, the art of balancing on toes with the left leg raised. The next level is about making it fast-paced and peppy,” adds Singh.
The number of people enrolling for Bhangra fitness is increasing, “as it assures quick results for those aiming for weight loss and cholesterol control. The dance form also relieves stress,” says Singh. His associate, Sarb Dhaliwal, 24, trains school and college students students for festivals across the country. He swears by Bhangra fitness as it promises a full body workout and is excellent for strength and stamina building.
Ranjot Cheema, 21, who teaches Bhangra at Burn Gym outlets in Mohali and Chandigarh feels this workout breaks the monotonous gym cycle. An aerobics instructor with hands-on knowledge in physical training, cross-training and yoga, Cheema was fascinated by Bhangra steps and merged those with aerobics to start Bhangra fitness classes. “Everyone seems to enjoy Bhangra, which includes squats, arm, shoulders and leg movements along with jumping. It is both result-oriented and stress busting,” he says.
Businessman-cum-bhangra fitness trainer, Magan Makkar, 24, teaches bhangra at Ozi and Gold gyms, Mohali. Calling it a vigorous workout, he says that 15 minutes of his class is equivalent to 30 minutes spent on treadmill. “I started with five students one year back and now there are 40 students in my class. Besides this, I also organise Bhangra fitness dance parties at corporate events,” he says.
Savneet Tung, a teacher at Guru Gobind Singh College for Women, Sector 26, enrolled in Bhangra classes at Burn Gym, Phase X, Mohali, for shedding some weight. “I really don’t like the gym regime which involves working out on machines and since I enjoyed dancing, fitness Bhangra was a natural choice. It is fun to dance on latest songs and weight loss happens naturally.”
Chandigarh-based businessman, Shahbaz Kang, has found his new self since he enrolled for Bhangra fitness classes at Subzero gym. He says, “Bhangra fitness has toned my body and has also helped me develop a positive approach."