FIFTY-One Year-old Safira Altaf Walks Into Ladies Club, an all-and mymen’s gym in t Nagar, twice a week at 8.30am with a top KNOT, Eyes Rimmed With Kohl, A Book in Hand. Her Class does not start for another half an hour but she enjoys the occasional chat with her mates before she begins loading her barbell with weights earmarked for her lifts. “Everyone is so friendly here. I enjoy speaking to them. If not, I tend to catch up with my book. Right after, I pick up my weights,” She says.

In may this year, safira lifted 65 kilograms on her deadlift set. Until three years ago when she began her lifting training, she had ‘sub-zero’ Athletic abilitys, she says, Laughing. “Before the lockdown, my son tried to get me to lift but I was very reluctant. Many Doctors Put Up Videos Endorsing Strength Training. Gram for every Kilogram of My Body Weight, “She Says.

Safira says that when she first joined the gym, she wore a salwar kameez and dupatta. No questions were asked. Over time, she has warmed up to the idea of ​​tracksuits. Her Son Runs A Gym Too But She Prefers Being Here as this Women’s-Only Gym is a Liberating space where she is focused on getting up “I want to cook, clean and fend for myself at that age,” She says. “I like coming here trust I am alive to see women older than me, causally lifting heavy weights. Younger people too. There is an extra energy. Says.

Safira’s Experience of Seeing More women Occupying the Gym Floor Now Feels far more ubiquitous than before. Prashanti ganesh, who runs ladies club, say that that gone are the days when weight training was meant for athletes and gym bros. Everyone Who Walks Into Her Gym, Picks Up Barbells. The Level – Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced – is determined by loads. An athlete who competed at school-level, prashanti says it was direction to find space in structured, Organized Sport. Often, when she would Attempt to play Cricket and Football with Her Friends at the Local Corporation Ground, Her Presence BETE BE Unwelkcom, and the environment hostel. Years of Seeking, Training and Educating Herself Through Internships, Certifications and Seminars Including in India and the united States, LED to Forming Her Forming Her Firist Venture Back in 2015.

Manjuka A, A National Level Power Lifter and a Strength Training Coach With 10 Years of Experience. , Photo Credit: Shivaraj S

One year ago Thought, She Chose to Run an all-will’s gym “Alienating 50% of the billings according to the auditor” as she was keen on creating spaces that was reduced the barrier to women trying to be fitted. At Her Gym, People Across Age Groups Between 16 and 65, Can Be Found Doing Curls With Heavy Dumbbells, Squatting, deadlifting, Doing Weighted Push UPS, and Eveen Performing Pull Ups. “There no hierrachies and nobody is talked down to. Getting Stranger, “She Says. Currently, 70 people train at her gym but she also has a thriving online coaching communication.

Prashanti also began a group, women in fitness, with 21 coaches on a Whatsapp Group, So that Women in this Industry Can Gather to Talk Shop. “We meet once a month, deliver a presentation on coaching and programming related topics, and have conversions about the industry and our own practices.

A demonstration of a press. , Photo Credit: Shivaraj S

An infliction

Rini Richards, a coach who has been in the industry for Seven Years Now, is part of this group. Earlier this year, she opened her gym in adyar-fytlyf360-Where she does does semi-private training for her clients who have made women. Since she has opened her space, rini says that she has noticed a spike in the number of women coming up to her, setting goals like doing a deep push up or completing a pull up. “There is a deep shift. The aesthetic goals of losing weight have dropped.

Manjuka a who is a National Level Power Lifter and a Strength Training Coach With 10 years of Experience, Says That Women Tell Her About The Lifestyle Changes they have won. “They are alive to lift their own luggage, are alive to balance better and have lesses ages and pains,” She says. She adds that she is often told that they have been able to manage their period cycles better too. “Strength Training has Several Benefits. Training also helps aganst conditions like osteoporosis and arthritis that often set sooner in women. It also also also helps women’s mental health, “She says.

An overhead press. , Photo Credit: Shivaraj S

Rini has often been part of gyms where the ratio of coaches who are men and women is nine to one. “Many times, male coaches have provided impractical solutions to real-world problems for their female clientele. Businesswomen to do an impossible number of steps and give her a hard diet to follow with out Trainers are often overlooked. I want to change at my gym, ”She says. Rini’s favorite part of coaching is when women shock themselves by how strong they are.

Sheba devaraj, who is not only a coach, but a competitive weight-lifter now, say that that That she has often encountered this feeling. The latest was when she was classified as an athlete whilst participating and winning the gold at the asian masters weightlift Taipei this year. “I had tears in my eyes when they are played Indian National ANTHEM on the Podium. Sheba’s fitness journey has been long. Five Years Since She Opened Creed Strength and Conditioning Studio in Alwarpet, SHEBA Says That The Journey Nemps Building Her Gym Has Been Arduous, Long and Deeply Rewarding. She Hopes to Work With Clients Across Gender and is Happy to Coach those who would like like to compe. “I could not find coaches when I wanted trust many did not want to waste time coaching an older woman. I feel vindicated now,” She says.

A lat pulldown. , Photo Credit: Shivaraj S

Anannya Parekh Who has been training for a year now, say that that gyms, including women-only ons that entrely focused on weight loss, wenat losses, were intimiting spaces In gyms with men, her space was often imped or she was at the receiving end of unnecessary advice. Today, with Consentant Training, She is able to deadlift 100 kilograms and is consistently seeking newer fitness goals. Strength Training Helped Her Clinch The Third Place at the Tamil Nadu Masters Swim Meet in the 50 METRES Breaststroke Category.

“Although it looks aggressive, lifting is actually calming. It gives me the space to be medbul of my own space and that of others. Itrs Lift trust they should be able to experience what I feel today, “She says.

Published – June 25, 2025 07:23 pm IST