The importance of health and fitness has been stressed upon throughout the olden times and it still continues. What raises the question, is the fact that how the fitness industry has changed and taken over us, in all these years.
Initially, fitness came out naturally by involving into household chores and labor work and eating green due to lack of food choices available in a traditionally born country, India.
However, the country has come. Long way from traditional ‘akhadas’ to wrestling which is part of the international Olympics game. India has won a lot of medals and the list is growing.
With the development of country, there has also been a significant growth and change in the personal lifestyle of people. With increased food choices, composed mostly of high fat and junk food, the ate of obesity has also increased.
Furthermore, the introduction of technology, though making our lives easier, has taken a toll on our bodies by depriving us of basic physical activities that kept our bodies moving. The list is never ending, whether it is a 9-5 job, work from home jobs, bed ridden diseases, etc.
However, in the midst of such a health-conscious country, what is gaining relevance is the presence of those fitness enthusiasts, that our striving to make the world a better place.
These enthusiasts, by taking leverage of the widely used social media, are spreading the message of importance of fitness. Today people want to be fit not just for the sake of fitness but for a sense of self accomplishment, a sense of validation and most importantly, ‘for the gram”.
Yes, social media applications like Instagram has put an undue pressure on people to look their best, and what’s wrong in it? Taking advantage of their fame, here is a list of some influencers who are setting goals for people by their passion for fitness.
Here is the List of Top 20 Mental & Physical Fitness Motivator In India:
Sapna Vyas
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Certified with American Council on Exercise (ACE), Sapna Vyas is a Weight Management Specialist, Fitness Nutrition Specialist, Health Coach and a Behaviour Change Specialist as well.
Sapna Vyas, being the daughter of a famous politician who was associated with the Department of Health and Family Welfare, made her way through her extensive workout schedule involving mainly walking and strength training.
She has made an impression using social media websites like Instagram and YouTube channels, wherein she not only gives workout guidance but also diet and nutrition tips.
Shilpa Shetty
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Need I mention this famous personality? Actress, influencer, yoga instructor and what not.
Despite being exposed to various high-end fitness studios, she stresses on performing yoga and meditation and shows that a fit body can be attained by nothing more than motivation and a yoga mat! At this age also, she is giving fitness goals to people and preforming much better than people half her age.
She has made her presence, via social media and provide not only fitness but wellness tips.
Vj Bani
Gurabani Judge, popularly known as Bani J, needs no mention. She is one of the most popular fitness influencers apart from being a famous television personality.
Started with Roadies, a reality show, she made her way into being known as a fitness freak. An ink fanatic, which is evident by tattoos engraved all over her body, she always has more to give.
No doubt she has millions of followers on her Instagram account. Anybody with a headstrong attitude as her, could follow her to get some amazing and intense workout tips.
Gaurav Taneja
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With more than 600 thousand followers, Gaurav Taneja is not only a pilot by profession, but also a living example of extreme health and fitness. If you find yourself looking for excuses of being busy with your busy routine, this fitness enthusiast proves all these are just a myth.
He motivates all the hustlers and office goes, that they can sneak workout into their routine, no matter what.
Ranveer Allahbadia
Another fitness fanatic, Ranveer Allahbadia adds power and vigour to the health-conscious generation of men. He guided young boys and men to work on their bodies with ease.
Along with giving numerous workout tips on Instagram, he also provides tips on how to boost personality, and feel confident about themselves.
Sunit Jadhav
A ripped body builder, Sunit Jadhav is not only Mr. Asia 2018 Overall Champion, but he also happens to be Mr. India Overall Champion 3 times, particularly in the years 2016, 2017, and 2019.
With over 500 thousand followers, he is setting goal for all the body building aspirers, to show its possible to achieve their dreams.
Rohit Khatri
Becoming a known face, this health and fitness blogger, who also happens to be a Sports Science Nutritionist, he sets new examples every day using his social media account, inspiring a lot of youngsters.
Namrata Purohit
Breaking the conventional norms, Namrata Purohit is famous for being a Pilates fanatic. Along with this exceptional form of workout, she is also involved in practising pole, boogie bounce, and Barre.
In her Instagram page, she flaunts her passion for workout and fitness, and introduces herself as an author and entrepreneur. She takes interest and efforts to guide and help people who want to have a toned body like hers, and she mostly spends time in her own Pilates studio.
Ankita Singh
Ankita Singh, is another leading female fitness enthusiast, who has also won the title of Miss India and Miss Karnataka. Through her social media account, she is seen setting goals of that dream vacation body, and she takes her health and fitness as serious as drinking water.
Rajesh Monga
Known as one of the popular celebrity and VIP fitness consultant, Rajesh’s healthy and fit body is truly a sight to behold. Receiving the titles of Mr. Asia, Mr. North India, Mr. He Man of India, Mr. Delhi, and Mr. India four times, Rajesh is unquestionably the one you must stalk on your Instagram.
He shows strictness and discipline by his regular posts, and never goes missing without posting a fitness related update or lesson. For those ready to commit to transforming their bodies by following a disciplined schedule, go follow him. And you will not regret.
Natasha Noel
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Describing herself as a novice writer, Natasha Noel is an efficient bodyweight trainer. Always keeping the audience up to date with her routine and transformations in Instagram, she explains how workout can be mixed with the element of fun.
Radhika Bose
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Another motivating girl also known as ‘Yogasini’, Radhika Bose narrates how working out is a battle with your own self and not the world. Practising yoga for over 9 years, she believes in challenging herself daily. Follow her on Instagram if you want to change your life bringing new dynamics to it.
Kunal Rajput
Setting an example of pursuing your passion, Kunal Rajput left behind his engineering and marketing background to pursue his fitness for passion, that led him to become coach at Nike Training Centre.
He is the perfect motivation for people wanting to break their barriers and do what they want. What comes handy for him is that his passion involves taking care of his body and it works just fine for his case!
Shivoham
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Shivoham is a celebrity trainer, having successfully trained Ranveer Singh, Pariniti Chopra, Arjun Kapoor among others. He has made a position for himself right at the core of fitness industry.
He currently looks after Shivfit’s physical training program which includes various combinations of gymnastics, weightlifting, body weight training and cardio to provide you with an intense workout session.
Nidhi Mohan Kamal
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Being a food scientist, a writer, and a fitness trainer, she has so many followers for a reason. Her body is an example of good health and fitness, as evident by her toned body.
Devrath Vijay
Founder of a well-known fitness studio, ‘The Outfit’, he has earned a certificate for strength and conditioning specialist with an association with International Fitness and Aerobics Academy. His workout videos render you awe struck, giving you that instant adrenaline rush.
Swetha Dev
A CrossFit trainer, a marathon runner and a medical professional – She has taken multitasking to another level. Swetha Dev has undeniably launched herself to stand out from the crowd.
Swetha Dev also have a collaboration with Devrath Vijay – popularly known as “The Sweaty Ninjas” through which they encourage people to experiment with their bodies as much as possible to attain fitness with a routine which suits them the best.
Delson Joy D’Souza
Delson is a senior software web engineer and a Martial Arts Instructor along with achieving the advanced level of Calisthenics.
He is beyond your average fitness fanatic and would sweep you off your feet. Find him on Instagram, to get a dozen of motivation.
Neha Khincha
Holder of the Chartered Accountant degree and a lawyer by profession, she is an example of beauty with brains. She proves how her work never hampered her passion for fitness.
Going through her Instagram handle will leave you spellbound, wanting to get those abs and flexibility of yoga queen.
Sumir Kapoor
An athlete, Animal Flow Trainer, Health, and Nutrition coach who outshines in Calisthenics – this is how we would define Sumir Kapoor, who’s social media account will give you a boost of energy.
If you need guidance and training, undoubtedly follow this fitness beast, who provides numerous workout tips and guidelines to make your way to that goal body.
The list of such influencers is endless, in fact its ever growing. More and more people are joining the fitness industry as influencers to bring a shift in the attitudes of people. From gym, Yoga and Meditation to Zumba, Pilates and what not, fitness is everywhere.
Even corporates have association with fitness studios to encourage their employees towards fitness in order to balance their 9-5 desk jobs.
Innovations like standing desks, or treadmills in cubical are winning over people who are constantly striving to look their best. It is a no brainer why fitness is more than just a fit body, as it can impact your mental health, social life and personal relationships.
A study by Harvard proves how two people having same academic qualifications would be judged over their personality which is largely groomed by their fitness schedules.
Factors Promoting Fitness Industry Growth
- Flexibility of option and openness of people encourages growth of fitness brands and classes as people are exposed to wide number of choices, they are more comfortable in finding the style that suits the and work on their bodies.
- Increased corporate wellbeing targets have expanded fitness from personal goal to group goas. Now leading corporates want to engage with fitness educators to train their employees.
- Increased spending of people on their personal grooming makes a huge impact on the prospect of this business. Everybody wants to look best these days, be it social pressure or competition with their best friends, in a way its leading to a more health conscious society where your wellness is judged by how much you weigh.
- Rise of social media is undoubtedly a very big reason behind the accelerating growth of fitness influencers. Initially, you needed to have a physical place to practice fitness however, now you can be at home at your own comfort and be fitter than people spending hours at the gym. This convenience has brought in a larger section of group to work on themselves like introverts, housewives, office goers etc.
Which was initially considered as luxury or a passion, is now known as the way of life, or to be precise, the ‘correct’ way of life. Today you will find small/large gyms in any community or complex, its spreading like a wildfire. Promotion of child fitness, pregnant women and moms, the list is huge, and prospects are exponentially growing.
Overall, the future of fitness industry is bright not only for its own sake but also because it leads to growth of other businesses for health and nutrition. The investment is increasing as the government takes initiative to promote health, and its crawling into smaller cities as well.
Hotels and companies have inhouse gym facilities now and to make it lucrative they combine with it the service of pools and spas.
Organised players, global companies, and home-grown start-ups in the fitness segment are affecting greater consolidation in the market, and giving rise to newer business models and revenue streams.
All of this points towards a brighter future for India’s fitness industry, while enabling consumers to lead healthier lives.
