Health and Fitness in India

India, which is a growing economic power, has in the recent past woken up to the fact that health and fitness plays an import role in increasing ones efficiency and productivity. Though India can boast of the fact that it is the home of yoga, the fitness mantra of many a westerner, it is only in the recent past that one sees a sudden increase of health clubs, gyms, spas, ayurvedic and yoga centers, naturopathy ashrams and the likes. The country with a huge middle class population with a rather stress full way of life as compared to the ones in developed countries, have been looking for ways to improve their quality of health and fitness.

With so many options available now, people are flocking to the health clubs and gyms to stay healthy. With the market opening up you can also see a sudden spurt in the increase in income levels thereby increasing their spending power and what better way to spend the hard earned money than to invest in ones own health. As a result one can see the gyms and the health clubs sprouting up everywhere, especially in the metros. The fitness industry in itself has seen a boom with many entrepreneurs investing in fitness chains and health spas.

Added to this is the exposure and knowledge gained through the print and the electronic media about the necessity to work out and keep fit, just to live a fulfilling life, people are just about willing to try anything, in order to avoid going to the doctor and spending on huge hospital bills. After the opening up of so many call centers and BPO’s, young India suddenly finds itself with a hitherto unknown levels of income but at the same time a very sedentary and lethargic lifestyle with many hours spent in front of the computer. This lifestyle change has also a decrease in their normal fitness and health levels. Realizing this many corporate have invested in in-house gyms employing qualified fitness trainers. Some employers have made it mandatory even for their employees to maintain a certain fitness level.

For people who do not want to sweat it out in the gym there are other options available like yoga centers, martial arts centers teaching karate, kung fu or simply tai chi. For the very affluent there are spas, naturopathy, slimming and rejuvenation centers with alternative forms of therapy and medicines and these are all managed most often than not by qualified doctors and professionals. People who do not have time or the money to indulge in these activities can be seen rushing to the beaches or parks just to have a stroll or a jog.

In summary we can safely say that the Indian populace is increasingly aware of the importance of physical and mental health in living a rewarding life. This is just the beginning of an India, which wants to look good, feel good and live an enriched life with the best of health. A new confident and vibrant India will lead to healthy India.