The city’s obsession with fitness is not news, but with nine-to-five jobs driving people crazy, one hardly gets to indulge in maintaining their social life, while simultaneously also reaching their fitness goals. However, the solution to balance both is here as more and more people are starting to join the trend of ‘squad runs’!
Organised as casual meet up events, people are gathering in small groups and going for a run with strangers and/or known faces, which gives them a chance to both exercise and socialise.
“With the prevailing work culture here, it is impossible to get a decent, relaxing workout unless you compromise with having a social life outside of work,” opines Madhushree Chatterjee, a school teacher who takes her work-out regime very seriously. “Being a mother, my time to handle it all was limited, until I decided to mix weekend rendezvous with fitness!”
Bengaluru abounds in sports events and marathons, but these squad runs, however, belong to neither and are not sponsored. “All you have to do is gather a group of motivated people who believe in the same goals as you do and you’re good to go,” explains Sahil Karnick, who indulges in running with his friends twice a week at least. “It all starts with a personal initiative towards a double benefit project. My friends are often caught up with night shifts, which is why Sundays are for getting in shape!” he laughs, laying stress on how he likes to call their running meet ups as ‘Sunday Runday’.
On the other hand, for some people, issues such as self-consciousness come into play within the daily vicinities of gyms. “Almost every young adult struggles with body image issues and sometimes, surrounded by slender people in the ideal shape doesn’t work as the best motivation no matter how inspiring it should be,” spills Diksha Mohanti, a 22-year-old law student. “However, when you’re amongst people who share the same issues as you and are aiming to work towards a common goal, it becomes much easier to adapt and take the first step.”
Avid marathon runner and coach, Neera Katwal, lays stress on the importance of taking up running as a basic daily routine as well. “Running is not just a casual cardio that sheds the kilos; it strengthens the body and increases flexibility as well. The best part is while you’re still pushing yourself, you don’t have to keep a tab on the calorie count you’re losing. Running should give you joy, not stress. As long as you’re not giving into peer pressure, squad runs are an innovative way to balance the two biggest sources of relaxation!”
