Keep fit is the new mantra for the residents of Santinagar in Liluah. This is showing on the membership list of Fitness Freakz, a multigym that has opened on March 8 in the area. The first multigym in Santinagar, across the Liluah flyover, Fitness Freakz is attracting people of all age groups. 

“Although there are many branded gyms in Calcutta, there are none in Howrah. There are some names like Gold Star, Shape Up, Viva Fitness and Reflex which are all around Ghusuri and Salkia but they are not brands. We are trying to establish Fitness Freakz as a brand here,” said Ajay Rajput, the owner of the new gym. 

The gym is for both men and women with separate trainers and time schedules for both. However, members are welcome to make training schedules according to his or her preference. “People who live in Liluah, cannot travel everyday to Calcutta to go to a gym. There is a demand for a good gym here,” said Rajput. 

Starting from treadmills for cardio exercises, medicine balls, Swiss balls, dumbbells in different sizes and weights and kettlebells, there are equipment for all kinds of workout at the gym. The abcoaster is one such equipment for reducing the abdomen. To exercise on this machine, a person sits with his or her legs folded and pushes the seat back and forth like on a roller-coaster using the strength of the arms. Equipment for leg exercises are also available at this gym. 

A boxing man used to practise kick-boxing, can be found here. There are also massage chairs and a snooker table for members to relax. In less than a month, 121 members have enrolled and 15 are women. “The ladies are mainly homemakers or college students. For working women, we have flexible schedules. Most of them like to workout early in the morning,” said Rajput. 

Many young men have shifted from other gyms in Liluah to Fitness Freakz in the past few weeks. Mohit Gupta, a resident of Belur, joined Fitness Freakz after leaving a local gym. “The equipment at Fitness Freakz is more modern and they have also included massage chairs and steam bath in their packages,” said Gupta. School students have also taken interest in Fitness Freakz. 

Harsh Singhania, 11, is a fitness freak and spends one-and-half hours everyday at the gym. A student of Class VII at MC Kejriwal Vidyapeeth, a huffing and puffing Harsh, who was running on the treadmill, rubs his belly and declares, “I have to lose weight.I don’t have time to play in school. The games teacher is usually absent. So, I come here in the evening.”  

Trainers are available through the day. There are three trainers for men and another two for women. “Women can also do freehand workout at the gym. Our trainers prescribe a few minutes of freehand exercise before going on to the machines,” said Rajput. Lockers and steam baths are available for the members. Four steam baths are complimentary for members. A monthly package comes for Rs 1,000 for unlimited use of the gym. A member must pay Rs 6,600 for six months and Rs 9,900 for a year. “Those who need personalised attention have