Chennai| Pilates expert Namrata Purohit on this mind-body exercise, celebrity clients, and more

The Pilates Studio launches at a third location in Chennai, in Anna Nagar. The brand’s co-founder Namrata Purohit decodes the growth of this mind-body exercise, why Pilates is great for beginners, and working with celebrity clients

When celebrity fitness expert Namrata Purohit started her first Pilates studio in 2011, there were only a couple of studios in the country. “Only a few people seemed to be aware of Pilates. But we quickly saw footfalls increase,” she recalls.

Since then, things have rapidly changed. Her brand, The Pilates Studio which she co-founded with her father Samir Purohit has 32 branches across the country at present. Among the thousands of clients she has worked with are a slew of actors including Kareena Kapoor, Rashmika Mandanna, Ananya Panday, Sara Ali Khan, Ishaan Khatter and Arjun Kapoor. 

Closer home, The Pilates Studio Chennai threw open its doors at a third location over the weekend, a bright, sprawling space in Anna Nagar. 

Following a walk-through of the new studio, Namrata says that what sets Pilates, a mind-body exercise, apart is how it is extremely customisable. “It is customised to your body, your health, and your goals. Here, we work with ropes and springs as opposed to dead weight. The machines can either assist you or challenge you depending on where you are in your fitness journey,” she explains. 

If the Pilates machines like the Reformer look intimidating, Namrata is reassuring. “For someone who is absolutely new to exercise, Pilates makes for a great foundation,” she says. She encourages newbies to be patient, and stresses on the importance of taking things slow. “Don’t overthink different exercises or quick movements at the beginning . For your first five classes, the focus will be on breathing, positions, and posture. Once you get the hang of it, your trainer will help you with more exercises,” she says.  

For over a decade now, Pilates has been the top choice for several celebrities across the country. As a celebrity trainer, Namrata says that there are several things that dictate what sort of a routine a celebrity takes up. 

“We figure out how much time they have to reach their goal, how much time they can dedicate to a fitness routine in their day, and then design a routine. A typical routine could have Pilates, Electric Muscle Stimulation, and cardio,” she says. While helping actors prepare for a role, she has to work in tandem with the directors of their films.