Six experts shine the spotlight on how fitness is finally viewed beyond weight loss

In an era where wellness and fitness have become integral to our daily lives, the approach to health is more diverse and personalised than ever before. From celebrity trainers to yoga gurus, and fitness innovators, the experts leading the charge in India are redefining what it means to be fit and well. Whether it's Sohrab Khushrushahi's holistic fitness challenges, Sumaya Dalmia's bespoke training regimes, or Sukhmani Bajwa's transformative yoga practices, each expert brings a unique perspective on how to achieve and maintain physical and mental well-being.

SOHRAB KHUSHRUSHAHI, Celebrity fitness trainer and founder of SOHFIT 

Alia Bhatt swears by Sohrab Khushrushahi, whose 21-day and 40-day fitness challenges have become a rage on social media. But for the celebrity trainer, fitness is not a number game. “Many people treat fitness as a luxury, I treat it as a necessity,” he tells Bazaar India. In his younger days, the desire to look a certain way was one of Khushrushahi’s motivations to train, besides getting better at cricket, a sport he began playing at the age of 14. “I use to play cricket seriously at the U-14, U-16, and U-19 levels. Fitness became a part of my life and helped me get better at my sport,” he recalls. “People have begun understanding how important it is for them to get stronger, because it helps us live a better life.” Besides, fitness has many other benefits. It helps people do what they want even at an older age, says the 41-year-old. “I would still believe I can outrun most 20-year-olds, and for me, that’s important. I train because it makes me quicker, faster, and stronger,” he reiterates.

Khushrushahi believes fitness doesn’t mean having to kill yourself to get results. A structured routine, which is more focused on making a person healthier, is way better than trying to go all out in the gym every time. Viewing fitness beyond weight loss is a battle that may never end, thinks Khushrushahi. However, there has been a gradual shift in mindset that, he hopes, keeps growing with time. “People have started training because it’s good for them or they like the feeling of it. It’s about being stronger and a better version of yourself. For me, it’s always been strong over skinny,” he shares. Khushrushahi highlights how many people tend to overlook significant things like nutrition and sleep. “People believe training is going to solve all their issues. It’s equally important to pay attention to what you eat, how you hydrate, and sleep.” If there’s someone who wants to begin training, Khushrushahi advises them to start small. “The ideal way is to include a couple of days of strength work, follow it up with a sport that you like playing or yoga or dancing, whatever you prefer doing,” he concludes.

SUMAYA DALMIA Founder of SUMAYA (premium health clubs)

“To me, fitness has always been a component of staying well. However, there’s more to wellness than just fitness,” says Sumaya Dalmia, the force behind SUMAYA, a chain of premium health clubs in cities like New Delhi, Gurugram, and Mumbai, to name a few. Her fitness journey, unlike many others, began way back in school. Dalmia would spend hours on the field because she “loved the trickle of sweat”. Later, while pursuing a degree in Economics from Delhi University, her drive to turn her passion into a profession took over. The field of fitness was still nascent in 1997. Nevertheless, Dalmia pursued MSc in Sports Science and began her practice. “At that time, there weren’t many gyms and people didn’t know a good treadmill from a bad one. Today, there’s an overload of information. The role of a trainer is also about helping people sift through the noise,” she tells Bazaar India.

As someone consistent with her fitness for over two decades, Dalmia believes she is reaping all its benefits now. “I have been training regularly for three to four days a week. I am in my mid-40s now; over time, my practice has helped me stay injury-free besides easing any perimenopausal symptoms that I may have.” This philosophy also translates into what Dalmia offers to her clients. There are several training formats designed for those who enroll at her clubs. The workouts are unique and tailor-made for each person, based on their commitments, injuries, and how their bodies react to certain movements. “Of course, some trial and error comes into play. Our larger role is to help people understand their bodies and fitness goals beyond the weighing scale. People usually think if they walk on a treadmill for an hour, their fitness goal for the day is complete. A well-structured programme is required, which doesn’t focus on a single style of training,” she adds. “Nutrition plays an equally important role in changing the body composition. Going to the gym isn’t the only answer. Make sure you are eating clean, staying hydrated, and getting adequate protein and fat. It’s also about walking and getting 8,000-10,000 steps daily besides training in the gym. Also, don’t forget to sleep well,” concludes Dalmia.

SUKHMANI BAJWA Founder of Ajna Yoga  

Sukhmani Bajwa’s yogic practice empowers seekers to embark on transformative journeys toward self-realisation and inner harmony. A revered Kundalini Yoga master, she holds a deep understanding of the intricate energy systems of the human body and soul. “I believe with the right mix of physical activities along with some mind work, a person can live a life of vigour without getting fatigued.” Her methods help to unlock the dormant potential within each individual. Through a holistic approach that combines physical postures, breathwork, meditation, and mantra chanting, Bajwa facilitates a deep exploration of the self. “I feel the soul has its journey, it goes through many phases and places before it finds something that feels whole,” says the fitness practitioner who has been a student of Kundalini Yoga for the last 12 years.

Over time, this practice has transformed her way of being. She finds herself more aware and conscious, besides having a better understanding of the true essence of being human. “It is about being of service to the communities we live in, and to help every person tap into the innate strength they hold within themselves, and connect with their soul. There are no shortcuts.” There has also been a significant shift in how people view fitness post-pandemic, believes Bajwa. Today, people are increasingly looking inward, seeking to understand the purpose of their lives. “They are willing to do inner work, face their fears, doubts, and traumas, and work through them. Sound mental health is important for us to lead blissful lives in this day and age.” Through her transformative workshops, retreats, and one-on-one sessions, Bajwa enables her students to transcend limiting beliefs, helping them lead more fulfilling lives. “My Kundalini Yoga retreats happen throughout the year. It helps participants disconnect from the noise of daily lives, allowing them to connect with nature. It’s a divine experience that leads to shifts within,” she adds. Her only goal through this practice is to help people find ways to deal with everyday challenges. “Through the meditations given to us by the masters, I want to teach people to slow down, take their time to be with themselves, connect with their breath, go within, calm the mind, renew strength, and reinvigorate their well-being.”

ZOE MODGILL Fitness trainer and founder of Stronger with Zoe 

“When I work out, I am not just moving my body. I am pushing myself out of my comfort zone and discovering what I am truly capable of. It’s the most rewarding and challenging experience and it has taught me so much about myself,” says Zoe Modgill, a fitness trainer who has been appreciated for her gradual postpartum weight loss journey. After closing her physical set-up, Studio 60, the last three years for Modgill have been about coaching and designing workouts for women that can be done from the comfort of their homes. “This virtual connection has taught me so much. The biggest lesson is that distance means nothing when it comes to support and encouragement. Even while juggling life with two little ones over the past three years, I realised I could still be a vital part of anyone’s fitness journey.” Modgill’s approach has always been more than just hitting arbitrary fitness goals. Instead, she focuses on helping her clients achieve a ‘state of being’ that makes them feel strong, confident, and genuinely good about themselves.

A short gruelling workout, in her words, can teach many life lessons—from patience to willpower, timing to gratitude. “A conventionally ‘hot’ body is only the cherry on top. It’s about embracing the process, celebrating the small victories, and realising that every drop of sweat is a step towards a stronger, more empowered you.” Modgill has continued to expand her knowledge with additional certifications in pre and post-natal fitness. This has helped her understand her body better, allowing her to share this information with mothers like her. “There’s a myth that your body should just snap back to its pre-pregnancy state after childbirth. The visible changes—like stretch marks, a softer belly, or a different silhouette—are badges of honour. They’re a new form of beauty, unique to your experience. Exercise should enhance your physical and mental health, not be a form of punishment or a way to conform to unrealistic societal standards,” she adds. What’s next on the cards? “I have offered countless online programmes until now. It’s time to take it to the next level with women-only retreats that are all about building physical strength and testing our willpower together.”

ANSHUKA PARWANI Celebrity wellness expert and founder of Anshuka Yoga 

She’s the ‘it’ yogini in town, trusted by celebrities like Alia Bhatt and Ananya Panday, among others. But Anshuka Parwani’s initiation into yoga was unplanned. She was a commercial pilot who turned to the ancient practice after being in the throes of a near-fatal accident that left her bedridden for eight months. “It was my mother who pushed me to try it. The magic of yoga transformed my life, which is why I wanted to share it with others,” she tells Bazaar India. While Parwani’s tryst with fitness began at the age of seven with swimming, it was largely to strengthen her lungs which had weakened due to asthma. Later, she carved her niche as a national gold medallist in the sport, competing until 2003. Parwani admits that her practice has evolved beyond physical fitness, extending to mindfulness, breathwork, and spirituality. “I believe in maintaining a balance—whether it’s my hormones, right or left alignment, or the relationship with myself.” She adds, “There’s a gush of happy hormones in the body that makes you feel empowered and more confident when you move.”

The benefits of her practice have been profound, reveals Parwani. The game changer has been the ability to build mental resilience. “The meditative aspect of the practice helped me stay calm and centred, especially in those challenging times,” recalls Parwani. This has also been the guiding philosophy at Anshuka Yoga, which was established in 2015. The boutique studio treats each body differently, focusing on individual form and technique, as well as recovery. “We integrate yoga, pilates, and the mindfulness piece. We are a tool for people to help them achieve whatever they set out to do in their wellness journey.” While much information has been floating around health and fitness, Parwani believes rest and active recovery often get overlooked. It’s about getting quality training instead of working out for endless hours in the gym. “I tell everyone, start slow, buy a yoga mat, and head to class. You must resonate with your teacher because there’s a huge energy exchange. Remember fitness is a gradual process that relies on consistency. Don’t get competitive, focus on your breath, and create a space that you can call your own.”

SOMADITYA SEN Co-founder of Knox 

Battling obesity was one of the key reasons why Somaditya Sen joined a gym after college. While he would play football back in school, he was otherwise hardly physically active and ended up piling on 135 kilograms. “My health was a huge concern. I found out my cholesterol levels were high. That’s when I took to the gym with the help of a few friends, and a coach who was close to our family,” recalls Sen. He ended up losing weight but didn’t ditch any other “bad habits”. Around that time, Sen started toying with the idea of becoming a coach. As someone who had experienced the transformational force of fitness, he wanted to share this power with the world. After getting requisite certifications, Sen became a coach at Studio 60 in 2019, where he stayed until the pandemic hit. By the end of 2020, he was one of the founding coaches of Knox, a popular centre with branches in Gurugram and Delhi.

“In Kolkata, where I started working out for the first time, I imbibed a lot of values from my trainers in terms of coaching. They were form-specific and focused on technique. The routine wasn’t limited to aesthetics but focused more on functional training. It was about getting fit the right way,” shares Sen. “Skill building has also become popular. Learning something new is always fun and challenging. It could be anything from Olympic lifting to animal flow, headstands, or working with the kettlebell. I love using my body in different ways.” How does he train someone who comes to Knox? Sen is of the view that any motivation is great, even if it’s short-term, like looking good at an event or holiday. It’s all about tapping into it and developing consistency through that. “At Knox, we are also trying to bridge the gap between physiotherapy and training. Our goal is to work on physical weaknesses and imbalances, ensuring the foundation is strong.” Is there anything else that one must keep in mind? “Work out at least four times a week. Strength training and mobility go hand in hand. Make sure you don’t neglect your cardiovascular health, so squeeze in a HIIT workout if your health permits. Playing a sport is also a good addition to your fitness regime.”

All images: Courtesy of the brand

This article first appeared in Harper's Bazaar India, August 2024 print edition. 

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