Mubashir Aalam Wani
Srinagar, Jun 8 Syed Abu Bakar Bukhari, a 20 year-old lad is a fitness freak. Given his interest in fitness, he always desired to set up a state-of-the art gym to provide fitness solutions to the people of his area.
Come 2024, he realized this dream and set up a facility in his area. “I have been inot fitness for more than a decade and always wanted to do something in this industry. So, I set up a gym in my area given the growing interest of youth into fitness and sports,” he said.
Just few kilometres away from Bukhari’s gym , many more such facilities have sprouted up, reflecting a broader trend of youth-driven entrepreneurship and a shift towards healthier lifestyles.
Kashmir over the last few years has seen a notable rise in investments within the fitness industry. A burgeoning number of young entrepreneurs are setting up gyms to cater to the growing demand for fitness facilities.
These new fitness centers offer state-of-the-art equipment, personalized training programs, and a range of fitness classes to cater to diverse preferences.
The surge in investment in the fitness industry is not only driven by commercial motives but also by a genuine desire to address pressing health concerns prevalent among Kashmiri youth.
Showkat Ahmad, a 28-year-old entrepreneur and fitness enthusiast, exemplifies this trend. Motivated by his passion for fitness and the desire to promote a healthier lifestyle among his peers, Ahmad recently inaugurated a gym in Baramulla.
Speaking about his venture, Ahmad expressed optimism about the growing interest in fitness activities among Kashmiri youth.
“I have always been passionate about fitness, and I noticed a gap in the market for modern gym facilities that cater to the needs of young Kashmiris. With this facility, I aim to provide a space where individuals can pursue their fitness goals in a supportive and well-equipped environment,” he said.
Doctors and fitness experts call it’s a positive development given the rising health related complication among people due to the sedantry life style.
“With rising levels of stress, sedentary lifestyles, and lifestyle-related diseases, there is a growing recognition of the importance of regular exercise and physical activity in maintaining overall well-being. So, it is a positive development that more gyms are coming up to cate to the fitness needs of youth,” said Fardeem Hussain, a fitness expert.
