A fitness trainer at a gymnasium in thiruvananthapuram. , Photo Credit: Nirmal Harindran

Thiruvananthapuram’s Rapidly Growing Network of UPSCALE Health Clubs is Emerging as a youngster’s MECCA for Employment.

Hundreds of Youth from Struggling Working-Class Families with An Affinity for Bodybuilding Are Baking Certified Physical Trainers to Cash in on the Fitness Fad.

Most seem driven by the desire to break free from the fettering grind of a ten-to-fit job to pursue their studies and passion for fitness to subscing the Family Income.

Nevertheles, Justice Alexander Thomas, Chairperson of the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC), recently heard that stylishly luxurious and upmarket health clubs patronized by the fitness-conscience Le Class Concealed an exploitative work culture.

The Petitioner, Johny Vincent, Told The Shrc that Several Gym Mangers often Manipulate Trainers Into Working Long Hours for Low Wages.

Heed that Most Health Clubs Consider Fitness Coaches Part-Timers and Contract Workers, Hence Unqualified for Basic Protections Such as Overthe Pay, Minram Wages, Minramum Wage Esi Coverage.

Sanjith (Name Changed), A Physical Trainer, Says Fitness Coaches are disorganized labore Lacking a collective voice.

“We EDURE Several Indignities at the Workplace. For one, gym manners frown upon trainrs who drink water, sit, or lean on machines during long work hours. Trainers must remain standing and attentive, even if only one member is on the floor. The salary is a citine despite the job’s physically taxing nature. Moreover, Health Club Managements Approves The Lion’s Share of the Remuration from Personal Training Assignments, “He Says.

With 30 years of experience as a physical trainer, Mahesh (Name Changed), 56, has no savings. A Former Wrestler and Certified Fitness Coach, Mahesh works for ₹ 15,000 a month in a Posh Health Club. He Commutes 20 km Daily from His Partly Brick-Rand-Cement House to the Club at 4.30 AM

“The four-hour and eight-his shifts are only on paper. We work overtime, cut back on food, and take extra training sessions and tips, if any, from good samaritans to department ”, he says.

Johns Abraham, A Gym Owner, Says Most Coaches Prefer to Work Part-Time and Have a Penchant for Shifting Jobs. Experience, Certification, The Health Club Membership Charge, and the number of patrons determine their wages. Heedies that Health Clubs are exploitative workplaces.

The fitness coaching communication, larger a young demographic, senses hope in the shrc’s intervention.

Justice Thomas Seconded The District Labor Officer’s Report that Fitness Coaching Fell Under Scheduled Employment and Minimum Wage And Other WorkPlace Prottions Should Apply.

Conseaquently, he Ordered the Principal Secretary of Labor to Constitute an Expert Committee to address the issue and submit a report on the action by June.