Bollywood beckons Kashmiri youth to gyms

Health conscious Kashmiri youth find working out in gyms a perfect pastime to relax. Drawing inspiration from Bollywood actors, the youth are working out in gymnasiums and health centres like never before. There are 82 gyms in Srinagar, all of which are affiliated to the All Jammu and Kashmir Amateur Body Building Association.

"Our state is also adopting the trends followed by Hollywood and Bollywood actors. The gyms are opening equipped with good gadgets and machines. The students have become health conscious, as a result, we got an opportunity to organise body building camps here," said Fayaz Ahmed, trainer.

People of different age groups are enrolling as members in gyms in their haste to catch up with physique and image of their heroes and idols from tinsel screen and the sports arena.

"The trend is really picking up so well. We feel relaxed after work out. It relieves us from mental tension. We like to come to gyms after a hard day work. Most of the people come here for relaxation," said Tariq Ahmed, a body builder.

"Gradually the culture is spreading with the exposure, opportunities and experience. It is growing at a fast pace," said Sajid, another body builder.

The sport arena also benefited with the increasing trend of work out in gyms. The parents are paying more attention to fitness of their wards with the growing status of membership of gyms and work-out sessions to shape up a good physique.

The mantra of health is wealth seems to fit the bill among the Kashmiri youth of today.

Bureau Report