Fitness centres in Delhi faced with a lay-off, but who is responsible?

Suffice to say that India’s affinity towards fitness centres in pursuit of a healthy lifestyle knows no bounds. In fact, if one looks back on the evolution of the fitness industry in India, it is fascinating to note the widened demand for fitness products and services over the last decade. While the country’s young, health-conscious consumers are constantly fuelling a boom in the fitness industry by driving up the number of gym memberships, the avalanche of publicity that has led in people queuing up at fitness centres in Delhi NCR seems to loosen its grip.

The root of the problem

In what could be the end of the burgeoning demand for fitness centres in the capital city, the Supreme Court-appointed monitoring committee has recently ordered the sealing of all fitness centres, including gyms, yoga, and meditation centres, which opened after August, 2008. It, however, points to a violation of rules enumerated under the Master Plan of Delhi, 2021 (MPD) that deems these centres operational only in malls and commercial plots owned by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA). If implemented, several thousand employees and fitness enthusiasts could be left in limbo.

Not so Acche Din for gym, yoga centre owners

An amendment in 2013 had declared gyms and centres opened before August, 2008 as legal. The monitoring committee, in its September 24 order, had ordered to shut down the concerned fitness centres by October 18. With the city dangling on the verge of an unemployment swarm, the current move by the Supreme Court has caught the gym and yoga centres in a soup. “This is catastrophic to the entire fitness fraternity. It is going to affect not the gym owners alone, but gym trainers, fitness enthusiasts, supplement stores, food cafes, machine manufacturers, helpers -- to everyone who is actively associated with the fitness industry,” said Rachit Dua, an online fitness coach with a global reach.

Unemployment fears seeping into the industry

The reality is no exemption to this scrutiny, especially for ones who are sole breadwinners for their families. “I have three school-going children, a wife, and an ageing mother to take care of. Now if the gym is sealed, what will I eat? What will my children eat? We will be reduced to beggars,” said a distressed 27-year-old Delhi-based fitness trainer, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. Many like him are now on the verge of scrambling to support their families. With the status of the conflict being uncertain as of now, the fitness industry appears to be twisted into a tight spot.

A mere irony, don’t you think?

Fitness goals are evolving, especially with the launch of Prime Minister Modi’s Fit India Movement, but the means to achieve them aren’t. The movement was launched at a colourful ceremony, ensuring that it would take the country towards a healthier future. However, is it enough only to aspire? Irony has it, while the idea to remain physically fit has been heavily promoted since the launch of the movement, the same fitness centres are now faced with a lay-off. “The irony is that this happened within only four weeks. On August 28, PM Modi promoted Fit India Movement. Itna kuch bola gaya. Thik chaar hafte ke baad monitoring committee se order aaya ki Delhi mein fitness centres bandh kiya jaayega (So much had been said and advocated. Right after four weeks of the movement, the monitoring committee passed an order on closure of all fitness centres in Delhi). Don’t create this irony. It is unbelievable that something like this is happening in the capital,” lashed out Rachit.

A growing concern for many

One may shudder with thoughts of despair at the sight of the strange paradox. But why single out fitness centres alone, when pubs can function from plots under mixed land use category, one may ask. “You see liquor shops, they aren’t banned. You see dance clubs, bars, pubs here. They aren’t banned. They are still functioning the way they used to. Why the fitness industry? We are keeping people fit, what harm are we doing to society, tell me?” grumbled Mukul Agrawal, a fitness trainer in South Delhi. The travails of operating in this business, however, don’t end here. Owners complained about the need to install large gym equipment and the unbearable expense involved to have a facility in a shopping mall. For athletes too, Rachit opined, distant fitness centres might cause hindrance to their training. “Talking about athletes, they now have to go to faraway places for training. This will create hindrance in their careers,” said Rachit.

While many like Mukul are saddled with the apprehension of unemployment witnessing an onward surge, it is perhaps time for the authorities to consider the move with a careful approach. It is time to consider the urge of the fitness fraternity to stall the sealing and exude a spirit of healthiness among Indians.