How Kolkata is staying fit amid the third wave – Times of India

Kolkata News
As we stepped into 2022, gyms witnessed a spurt in new admissions. But the Bengal government’s decision to shut down gyms in the very first week to curb the spread of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 has put a dampener on health-conscious citizens’ fitness plans. But, if the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that physical and mental health are most important and must be prioritised over everything else. With the focus shifting towards a healthy lifestyle, fitness enthusiasts are now working out at home, marking a steep uptick in the sales of not just fitness gears like table tennis sets, badminton racquets and more.
SALES OF TABLE TENNIS SETS AND BADMINTON SHOOT UP
During the first wave and the lockdowns that followed, mobility reduced significantly. That’s when the world witnessed a cycling boom as more people turned to bicycles as means of reliable and resilient transportation that posed minimal risk of contagion.
“In the third wave, however, people are preferring outdoor sports. Badminton and table tennis are two sports that can be played maintaining social distance as players are on either sides. The sale of these has gone up by 40-50%,” says Sujit Brahmachari, owner of a sports shop in Chowringhee.
Adeet Kapoor from another shop in central Kolkata echoes similar sentiments. “The demand for table tennis bats and badminton is at an all-time high. The sales have gone up by more than 40%. Fitness enthusiasts are zeroing in on these two as both take care of a full-body workout,” he says. Vikrant Arora, owner of a sports goods shop in Beliaghata, opines that the demand for table tennis and badminton is high also because the weather is perfect for
outdoor games.
“Winter serves as the perfect season to enjoy such outdoor games. Some are only buying table tennis bats and nets and making use of their study or dinner tables. That makes it an affordable option too,” says Vikrant, a sports shop owner.

FITNESS ENTHUSIASTS SET UP MAKESHIFT GYMS AT HOME
The pandemic has made people realise the importance of staying fit. With gyms shut, people are stocking up on all kinds of gym equipment and making a mini gym at home. “No one can tell whether a fourth wave will hit us or not and fitness enthusiasts aren’t ready to take chances. The sale of treadmills, exercise cycles and weights has gone up by 30%,” says Adeet. Sreekanta Nundy, owner of a sports shop near Maidan, informs that people are now making makeshift gyms at home. “People are buying basic gym equipment like treadmills, exercise bikes and dumbbells to set up their own gym at home. The sale of treadmills is the highest among all gym gear,” he says.
YOGA MATS FLY OFF THE SHELVES
There are many who prefer yoga to weight training and cardio. With yoga centres shut, online tutorials are proving handy. This has contributed to a rise in the sales of yoga mats and apparel. “Yoga practitioners are buying yoga mats more than ever before in the third wave. Yoga is a habit for many and they don’t want to skip it. The sales have almost doubled,” says Sreekanta. Yoga expert Madhusatta Chaudhury believes that the benefits of yoga are leading more people to buy the gear. “Yoga helps build immunity. Many have realised the benefits of yoga
to help combat COVID and the stress related to it. Now, I see more people motivated to practise yoga at home to stay fit. People are buying mats and proper activewear to make the home yoga sessions comfortable.”

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Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/how-kolkata-is-staying-fit-amid-the-third-wave/articleshow/88943921.cms