Pindiites becoming more health-conscious

Rawalpindi : Fitness centres and weight loss clinics are in nearly every corner of the city, ranging from well-known brands to smaller neighbourhood gyms. Many apartment buildings and cooperatives now include gyms and often have a trainer available for residents. The demand for personal trainers is also on the rise.

“Fitness centres are proliferating, but do they deliver results? Gyms, weight loss clinics, and slimming centres provide advantages for those aiming to maintain their health, but they may also present issues if you are not careful,” says Saulat Abbas.

“Rawalpindi is a city that is becoming more health-conscious. Many residents are embracing fitness by participating in marathons, biking to work, or regularly visiting the gym,” says Dabeer Haider.

“Our typical clients include corporate employees, particularly those with desk jobs, as well as individuals facing health issues like diabetes or heart conditions. We also see many housewives who come in for workouts during the afternoons,” explains Anmol Fatima, the manager of a gym.

“We cater to individuals who are either overweight or underweight, those in need of injury rehabilitation, and people with conditions such as hypothyroidism and diabetes. Additionally, we often see women who come on their doctor’s advice for common issues like polycystic ovary syndrome,” Anmol adds.

“Most gyms today run their own training programs and often do not receive many applications from certified trainers. Instead, they focus on the applicants’ experience in the fitness field. For instance, bodybuilders are in high demand, and they assess whether they can effectively explain fitness basics to customers. Once hired, they go through their internal training program,” states Gulfam Ali, branch manager of a local gym.

“We are still in the process of training our staff. However, after joining, employees undergo monthly training sessions and receive ongoing updates from trainers on the latest international methodologies,” adds Gulfam.

“Like any service industry, fitness centers have their pros and cons, making it challenging to find individuals who are uniformly satisfied with their experiences,” says Farhat Hussain.