Drishti Chhabria, Founder and Chief Experience Officer of Orangetheory Fitness India, is the vibrant force that is transforming Mumbai’s fitness scene lately. At Orangetheory Fitness Kemps Corner and Worli, Drishti aims to foster a supportive environment where members can motivate each other inside and outside the studio. By championing internal wellness over mere aesthetics, she aims to redefine fitness norms in India by offering a holistic approach that empowers individuals to lead healthier, more fulfilling lives.

In an exclusive interview with GlobalSpa, the fitness enthusiast delves into her inspiration behind introducing Orangetheory Fitness to India, the hurdles she encountered in the industry, and the common fitness misconceptions she’s determined to dispel.

What was the motivation behind starting your own fitness center?

In my twenties, I struggled with several health conditions and ended up trying all sorts of workouts and fitness routines to improve my health. Along the journey, I noticed a common struggle among individuals like myself—many were trying all these different fitness methods without a clear path to their fitness goals. That’s when I knew that I wanted to find the right type of fitness regime that caters to people with various fitness levels that focuses more on internal health and overall well-being.

In a world fixated on outward transformation, I realized that there are so many health, mental, and emotional benefits that fitness brings—and I was determined to shift the focus back on them. At the time, however, I was still living in the US and whenever I’d visit India, I saw that there was a scarcity of fitness brands prioritizing functional fitness that promote longevity and overall health. Witnessing this void in the Indian fitness market motivated me to introduce something entirely different to disrupt the status quo and recenter the conversation around internal well-being.

What inspired you to bring Orangetheory Fitness to India in particular? How does it differ from other fitness clubs in the country (e.g. Cult, etc.)?

I believe that our country lacked a comprehensive fitness experience— one that seamlessly blends a science-backed, technology-tracked, and coach-led group workout class that is personalized with heart-rate based training. What sets us apart is our unwavering focus on one’s overall health and on the hardest working muscle in one’s body, the heart.

We incorporate science and technology in our workouts that not only provide guaranteed results but also allow you to quantify your progress and track it over time. While most big-box gyms in the country are packed with equipment, consumers lack the personal attention they need to improve holistically. At other gyms, you either have to opt for additional personal training or figure it out on your own. Similarly, the boutique fitness studios that do offer group classes simply do not offer the large amount of equipment in a group class that we do. At Orangetheory, we incorporate unique equipment in your workouts that engages many different muscles in your body, while a dual-certified coach guides you through different pieces of equipment and various heart-zones to ensure you optimize your workout.

My goal has always been to introduce a smarter, more holistic approach to fitness in India, ultimately empowering individuals to lead healthier lives.

Right now, you have two fitness centers in Mumbai, what’s the long-term goal? Do you aim to expand in other cities across India?

In the past year, we have opened two studios that are running successfully in Mumbai and have witnessed tremendous growth. We’re getting ready to open a third location in Hyderabad next month. We’re also actively scouting locations in Mumbai and in other cities. Our long-term plan is to have at least 50 studios across India in the next 4–5 years.

Your motto is “More Energy, More Results, More Life.” How do you encourage people to embrace this philosophy in their daily lives beyond the gym?

Our motto, “More Energy, More Results, More Life,” aims to motivate people to recognize the broader benefits of fitness beyond just physical transformations. People often look at fitness for weight loss or to attain a specific goal weight, but there are so many benefits that go beyond just physical well-being. Engaging in regular exercise not only enhances physical well-being but also boosts energy levels, strengthens endurance, and fosters confidence, along with a whole wide range of emotional and mental benefits.

We call this “more life”, and we advocate for embracing this philosophy as a lifestyle, promoting sustainable habits that enhance overall well-being. By encouraging people to prioritize their physical, mental, and emotional health, we encourage them to cultivate a more fulfilling life.

How do you tailor fitness programs at Orangetheory Fitness to accommodate individuals with different fitness levels and goals?

At Orangetheory, every workout can be taken at your own level and can be personalized to your own goals. The exercise options at different levels allow people to scale up or scale down, so people can choose what best fits them!

Through our proprietary heart-based training, our program is individualized to your own heart rate and personalized to you. As you exercise, you have real-time access to your personal heart rate performance statistics displayed on live TV screens throughout the room to ensure you maintain the optimal intensity level for your goals without over or undertraining.

We also have different class types based on individual goals, such as Tread 50 or Strength 50. Those looking to improve endurance or build cardiovascular strength can take a cardio-focused class, while those looking to increase muscle mass can take a strength-focused program. Our coaches can always guide you in the right direction to achieve your goals.

Credit: Orangetheory

As the founder, what challenges have you faced in introducing Orangetheory Fitness to the Indian market? And how do you plan to overcome those?

In the Indian market, one of the biggest challenges we face is the lack of fitness education and proper knowledge. There are a lot of misconceptions regarding fitness that are rampant in our society and our goal is to educate Indian consumers about the correct fitness habits. We are steadily overcoming this by educating people about the importance of exercise, and especially the different types of exercise that exist.

Another major challenge we have been facing is that unlike other countries, people don’t prioritize fitness and health in India. We’re noticing that people choose not to invest in their own fitness journey because of different financial priorities or other commitments. But I always say that investing in your own health is always a better idea instead of paying medical bills later in life.

Lastly, the fitness industry in India is flooded with more affordable options that discourage people from investing money in quality fitness. Our challenge lies in differentiating ourselves through value rather than price.

What are some fitness myths that you want to debunk in India?

There are so many myths that I would love to debunk but I also think we’ve definitely come a long way from where we stood a few years ago. I remember a time when people used to be afraid of strength training, especially women who believed it would make them “bulky”. We still meet people who think that but are slowly seeing the benefits of strength training.

The most important myth I’d love to debunk is that working out harder or longer doesn’t always mean you’re working out smarter. Spending hours in the gym or on the treadmill can actually be detrimental to your body if not done right, so we focus on working out smartly by incorporating both strength and cardio in our workouts.

Finally, what advice would you give to someone who is just beginning their fitness journey and considering joining Orangetheory Fitness?

Just start working out! It does not matter how old you are, if you’re just a beginner or getting back into fitness after a long break. The goal should be to start small and build up as you go.

Create small, achievable goals to start with and then ramp it up as you go. If you start out aggressively and try to push yourself too much, chances are you will give up easily. The best way is to start slowly and start somewhere! It is easy to get intimidated and give up if you compare yourself to others, but remember this is your own fitness journey and you should always follow what’s best for you.