Banishing act

Sheetal Thadani, one of her clients insists her stamina has increased, her body has toned up, her food habits and body metabolic rate have improved.

“Those who need that push and constant motivation and monitoring should resort to personal training,” feels Khandelwal. Her clientele consists of housewives, post-pregnancy mothers and collegians.

Khandelwal says, “Personal training makes you health conscious for life!” Another one of her breed is, Manju Phadke, 32, teaching at Talwalkars’ Camp branch. She has been at it for a year now. She says, “Personal training was catching up . Since I would be taking people’s health in my hands and wanted to do the best for them.”

Justifying a client’s conscious choice of a personal trainer, over a regular gym instructor, she says, “Here the work-out, attention and training is done one to one, and the results are quick.”

Manju’s client, Shalini Mahabubani (41) heading a top ad firm has been training since last December. She says,“Manju monitors my health daily. Only she can make me do those extra two counts!”

Says Phadke, “Many-a-times, people turn to a personal trainer because they are very time-strapped and want short yet quality work-outs.” Agrees Mahabubani, “I was never able to make it to the aerobic batches. Besides, working out alone is boring. It is more fun having someone motivate you and dealing with your individual problem areas.” “With health awareness on the rise, people do not mind spending money on this. One lands up blowing a huge amount of money on a dinner anyway, so why not spend it feeling fit and looking good,” declares Phadke. (At Talwalkars, they charge approximately Rs 2,500 a month, for personal training thrice a week, gym charges extra).

“Yes, it all leaves me feeling good at the end of it," says Mahabubani, “but there is a hefty price cost.” According to her the trend should soon catch on. “There aren’t too many fitness-conscious people and not all want detailed dietary supervision. One really has to see the value in it.”

So, a personal trainer appears the in thing. But it has a price — time, effort and commitment-wise and a dent in your pocket. But, it turns out that there are a lot more people on your side for the battle with the bulge.