Meena and Abhijit Ghosh are both young professionals working for advertising agencies in Mumbai. With erratic working hours, the couple finds little time to go for morning walks or visit the local gym. This Diwali, rather than spending on clothes and durable goods, the duo pooled in money to buy their very own motorised treadmill. Says Meena, “Our friends thought we were crazy, but for us it was the first step towards a healthier lifestyle.”

The couple is not alone in their endeavour. A sizeable number of the urban working population is investing in fitness equipment. Says Adeep Kapoor, partner, G.K. Sports, Calcutta: “Business is soaring. A few years back, we used to import fitness equipment in specified numbers. Now we get container-loads from abroad.” Agrees Haresh Advani, general manager, Proline Fitness Planet, based in Mumbai. He says that the company sells over 250 treadmills every month.

According to Kapoor, fitness equipment is no longer considered a lifestyle product; it is now a lifecare product. While people in their mid-30s and below, frequent gyms, those in the 40-plus category prefer the privacy of their homes to exercise. One fitness equipment dealer in Calcutta, however, claims that businessmen who fear a threat to their lives opt for a personal gym.

Another important factor contributing to the sales has been the reduction in the prices of equipment. Advani points out: “Ten years back, when we first started selling fitness equipment, the duty imposed on imported equipment was as high as 56 per cent. Today it has been slashed to 36 per cent. The result: a motorised treadmill that was available for Rs 60,000 in 1995 today costs Rs 20,000 while the manual ones come for less than Rs 6,000.”

For fitness freaks who don’t mind spending a little more, there is a whole range of home gyms to choose from ? right from treadmills and exercise bikes to joggers and bench press. For most fitness equipment sellers, treadmills form the bulk of their sales. Says Kapoor, “Treadmills contribute to 80 per cent of our revenue. We have manual treadmills starting from Rs 6,000.”

Those who would like to indulge in hi-tech gadgets, can opt for a treadmill complete with an entertainment panel that lets you listen to music and watch videos as you exercise. Priced at Rs 1.5 lakh (approx.), it has quite a few takers. Likewise, a personal gym with 21 workouts in a single station costs anywhere between Rs 1.5 lakh and Rs 2 lakh.

There are several brands to choose from ? such as Horizon, Icon Physique, Johnson or Body Solid. These are primarily US-based companies with manufacturing capabilities in China. Some Taiwanese companies too supply equipment to India. And then, of course, there are the local ones.

Brand is a vital criterion when it comes to buying fitness equipment, point out equipment suppliers. So it is important not to compromise on this aspect. Adds H.A. Khan, export executive at Maya Sports Industry: “It is equally important to buy the right kind of fitness equipment. A wrong piece can ruin your kneecaps and your health.” Advani agrees. He states that a number of buyers have come to his shop after a bitter experience with cheap equipment purchased from the grey market.

Most fitness equipment suppliers also contend that before you start shopping for equipment, it’s best to check with a personal trainer. Trainers usually have a better idea about the quality of the products. Kapoor of G.K. Sports says, “When a customer walks into our shop, we first try to assess his physical fitness, budget, space and usage and then suggest models.”

With the fitness equipment industry growing, most shops have a number of offers for the customers. While such offers are around the year, some are seasonal. The offers include an exchange of old equipment for new at a discounted price. Some shops offer discounts ranging between 5 and 15 per cent. A home gym can also be procured on easy equated monthly instalment (EMI) from the stores. Also banks and finance companies such as Citibank, HDFC and ICICI offer to fund the purchase of fitness equipment at zero per cent interest for a fixed period.

It is necessary to check for after-sales service too. As Advani says, “A treadmill is like a car. The parts have to be in peak condition to serve your needs.” Shops such as G.K. Sports and Proline Fitness Planet offer after-sales service for life.

But check with two or three outlets before you settle for a particular equipment. As most shop owners say, buying a fitness equipment is a one-time investment, invest wisely to reap rich benefits for the future.

what’s on offer

Bodyline Sports, Calcutta: It has just completed a year in the city. A Christmas Carnival is on at the store, which is offering up to 30 per cent discount on fitness equipment. That isn’t all. The company also has on offer a one-year, free annual maintenance check for the machines and has zero EMI options from ICICI, HDFC, Standard Chartered and Citibank

G.K. Sports: It is offering a discount on all fitness equipment in the range of Rs 1,000 to Rs 10,000. It also has an EMI facility from ICICI, HDFC and Citibank.