Fitness lovers, here's everything you need to know about breaking a sweat at the akhada!
If you thought hitting a modern gym, outdoor run at dawn or swimming are the only type of workout Indians enjoy in summer, you're mistaken. A workout regimen that many take to during the summer is akhada workout. These traditional wrestling arenas turn into a popular workout choice for many fitness enthusiasts during this season. 'The ideal time for an akhada workout is during the early morning hours, between 6am to 8am. This time aligns with the Ayurvedic concept of the Kapha time of day that's considered beneficial for physical activity. We also have some people coming in before 6am,' says Kunal Vaishnav, fitness and gada/mudgar expert, from Mumbai.
Besides just physical strength, akhada workouts offer a wide range of health benefits, including improved cardiovascular health, increased grip strength and enhanced flexibility and joint mobility. 'Summer heat requires extra attention to hydration, hence we factor that in during the fitness sessions,' says Kunal.
Actor Kranti Prrakash Jha, who is known for films such as M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story (2016) and Batla House (2019), is an ardent akhada workout practitioner. 'My love for akhada workouts comes from a deep respect for our traditional Indian fitness culture. The akhada isn't just a place to build muscle, it's a space where the body, mind, and spirit come together. Exercises like the mudgar have been part of Indian heritage for centuries, and I find great joy and purpose in reviving and promoting them. My journey with akhada exercises began during the shooting of Swami Ramdev: Ek Sangharsh (2018). Since then, I've consciously made the mudgar and other akhada exercises a part of my routine. Unlike gym machines that isolate specific muscles, akhada workouts like the mudgar involve your entire body and mind. There's a rhythm and flow to it that feels more organic. I always hit the akhada in the morning,' he says.
"Out of around 100 people visiting our akhada gym, 60 are youngsters. In fact, we have a lot of women too and the ratio has increased since the pandemic. Out of every 10 men, we have about three women,' says Uday maan, an akhada owner from Delhi. He adds that while most people come around dawn, many people come for the workout post sunset too. 'We have an air-conditioned akhada set-up so that people don't struggle and can enjoy their akhada workout,' he adds.
Inputs by Kunal Vaishnav, fitness and gada/mudgar expert, Mumbai
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