Hit that G(ym) spot

...At zela, the new health club, which might be the latest prince of your pleasure. But don't forget what a smart aleck once said, 'There's no pleasure without pain'

Damn, another health club? Like the city had any dearth of fitness centers. We would agree that Bangalore has seen a mushrooming of fitness zones in the last couple of years and how.

But when we heard about Zela, the new one on the block, touted to be a luxe health club at par with international standards built on over 30,000 sft. space, we decided to give it a run.



An insider's view

Who doesn't like a well-toned bod, but when it comes to actually pumping the iron, we sometimes stop short.

I had a late night the day prior to my 6 am appointment at Zela and oops, I didn't make it on time. I missed my Spinning class, which takes place every Tuesday and Thursday, 6.20 to 7.20 am.
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But I did reach barely in time for the Yoga class and was taken aback by a pretty, tall blonde instructor Deborah talking about the various asanas twisting her arms and legs, with about ten Indians following suit.

I pulled up a mat and tried getting into the act too. Deborah informed me later that she combines the best of both Bihar School of Yoga and the Iyengar Style of Yoga and twists and tweaks them to what suits.

She doesn't like to confirm to a single school or style.

That done, I stepped out and realized that music and a healthy workout partner do work as great motivators.
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The single guys and girls looked bored to death, while those in twos loved sweating it out, over peppy hip hop and dance tracks.

The club is well maintained and the music blaring over the sound system is energetic enough to appeal to most folks.

My fitness trainer Ravi was uber-friendly and did what he was supposed to do best...motivate me to pump up some iron. The place is hardly crowded with no more than 20-30 hunks with bulging biceps, since it's fairly new.



'Gasolina' blared out loud on the speakers and it was time to hit the treadmill.

I ran for twenty minutes, followed by ten minutes on the cross trainer. Swimmer Nisha Millet's sister Reshma Millet was working out alongside who later told me that she was the Relationship Manager at Zela.

The locker room is spacious, but the club does not provide locks for their lockers. Members are required to get their own locks, if need be.

Before you push the door that leads to the pool area, you will see a sign that reads, 'You just burned 2.2 calories (that's by pushing the door).' Now that's a healthy start. I added 2.2 calories to the 300 I had just burnt.

The club is promoting no plastic/paper cups, so get your own bottles and you can have a refill from the water cans.

I had a quick shower and walked into the Serena spa which has four treatment rooms and gave in to the supple hands of my therapist who gave me what they call a full body relaxing massage.
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The aroma oils worked wonders and helped me ease out all the work tension that were oozing to get unknotted.

Founders Shriram Ramdas (was a corporate biggie) and Dr Adithya Shetty (was the team doctor for the film 'Chak de India'), two entrepreneurs and fitness enthusiasts have perceived a market need for a holistic and comprehensive fitness environment.