No fairy-footing around fitness

Born into an illustrious family where rural business rules the roost, Pranathi Melaka grew up in Kadapa district of Andhra Pradesh. Her parents, both conservative and very protective of their daughter, envisioned a path for her, but Pranathi had plans of her own. She says, “I chose to educate myself in data analytics and IT, and moved to Chennai for a job. It’s a huge thing in our families to move to a new city and live independently,” she shares.

All of 24, this dusky, beautiful girl has already won herself a legion fitness fans across the city, thanks to her celebrity-focussed routines at F45 Neelankarai. From film actors to busy industrialists, Pranathi has managed to conquer a tough market. “I was a client at first and worked out for an entire year. During that process I got inspired to become a fitness provider. We all have so much to give the world. I chose fitness to be that energy to change people’s lives. I've seen hardship, aspersions cast on women, sometimes even reducing us as the ‘weaker’ sex. I had it in me to prove that we are just as strong and determined as men and can also meet fitness challenges and goals. So, I spoke to the management about training to become a trainer,” she smiles, adding, “My family were in shock and disbelief that their daughter, who had a very good job at a top corporate company, wanted to also become a fitness trainer. I convinced them that I could keep my job and also dedicate my mornings to improving people’s
lives.”

From intense bench hops to gravity-defying pull-ups, Pranathi has learnt a magical way to help her clients vanquish fear; and that’s what makes her a hit. She shares, “Women deal with so much in their biological journey - hormonal changes, be at adolescence, marriage, pregnancy or menopause. But we have so much more within us to reach our fitness goals. That spirit and strength is what I wanted to bring out. The conversations we have with our own bodies are important and I encourage my clients to push their own limits.”

“I don’t force them. They must listen to their bodies and that way there’s a sync between mind, body and soul,” she concludes.