At just 16 years old Namrata Purohit’s Her life changed dramatically when she severely injured her knee in a horse riding accident and tried various fitness programs to ease the pain. Pilates finally gave her the respite she needed. “I was pain free for the first time in a year,” she recalls. This personal breakthrough ignited her passion for Pilates and led her to believe, “If Pilates can help me this much, it can help so many more people.” Today, Namrata Purohit is a well-known figure in the fitness world. Indian Pilates instructor, sports nutritionist and founder of a Pilates studio in Mumbai.
In an exclusive interview with Namrata Purohit, we asked her about her journey so far, her approach to fitness and her thoughts on the power of Pilates.
The Power of Pilates: Benefits and Advice
Purohit describes Pilates as a form of exercise that combines strength, flexibility, core strength, posture, balance, stability and coordination: “It gives you the strength of a warrior and the suppleness of a dancer,” she explains.
It’s highly customizable and suitable for anyone, regardless of fitness level, body type, or injury status. Her advice to beginners is to take it slow and focus on getting the basics right. “Don’t rush the process. It’s important to nourish both the mind and the body. Once you’ve mastered the basics, you’ll know how to move effectively,” she added.
A 2014 study found that Pilates equipment was superior to mat exercises for injury rehabilitation.
Pilates is inclusive: for all body types
What’s most impressive about Purohit’s practice is its inclusivity. “Anyone can do Pilates,” she says. Her studio sees people from 10-year-olds to 85-year-olds with a variety of conditions, including cerebral palsy, Parkinson’s disease, arthritis and herniated discs. “Pilates is hard on the muscles, but easy on the joints,” she emphasizes.
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Busting the Myths: The Truth About Pilates
Purohit addresses some common misconceptions about Pilates: “Contrary to popular belief, Pilates is not slow or easy; it’s very hard,” she says. It’s not just about flexibility, it’s also about building strength in both large and small muscles.
Moreover, she makes it clear that Pilates is gender neutral: “A lot of Indian cricketers, actors and athletes do Pilates,” she points out, highlighting the growing popularity of Pilates among men in India.
Celebrity training: same principles, different demands
If you’re interested in celebrity fitness, you must have seen Namrata Purohit’s workout videos. Janhvi Kapoor, Sara Ali Khan, Alia BhattThe principles are consistent, but the focus on time-bound outcomes requires greater discipline.
“I design my classes in a way that helps you achieve your goals sustainably, without injuries or band-aids. I prefer to take an extra two weeks to achieve my goal rather than rushing and failing. It’s more or less the same formula but customised for each individual,” Purohit emphasised.
Making time for fitness: a priority for everyone
On the common excuse of not having enough time to exercise, Purohit believes that everyone can make time for what matters: “Even 20 minutes of exercise can be very effective if done right,” she says. She is an advocate of prioritizing health and stresses on the importance of quality over quantity and exercising smart.
Add fun to fitness
Purohit aims to add fun and joy to every class. “Fitness should be welcoming, not intimidating. I try to understand my clients and make their exercise routine fun,” she says. Whether it’s working out to music or adding different elements to keep the routine exciting, her goal is to ensure her clients look forward to their sessions. “We have a saying in our studio: ‘Go in with a smile and leave with an even bigger smile,'” she adds.
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KISSS: Safe, simple, smart
Purohit’s motto, KISSS, stands for ‘Safe, Simple, Smart’. “A training routine shouldn’t be complicated; it should be done safely, without injuring yourself, and smartly so that you get maximum results in the time you have. This principle is important for fitness, diet and every aspect of life,” she stressed.
Midterm motivation: It’s never too late
For those who haven’t started their fitness journey yet, or who have started but haven’t been able to stick with it, Namrata has some words of encouragement: “It’s never too late to do something good for yourself,” she advises.
Purohit adds: “Just take the first step and find what you enjoy. Try different fitness formats like pilates, electrical muscle stimulation (EMS), yoga, trampoline training, whether that’s an instructor, training buddy or class. Once you get started and see the positive changes in your energy, body and mood, you’ll want to keep doing it.”
Challenges and sustainability
Educating clients on the importance of a sustainable fitness journey is one of Purohit’s challenges. “The biggest challenge is to educate people to take a sustainable path instead of looking for quick fixes,” she admits. Her goal is to ensure long-term health and fitness without causing any harm or injury.
Namrata Purohit’s journey from injury to becoming the youngest Pilates certified instructor in the world is truly inspiring. Her approach to fitness with a focus on inclusivity and sustainability has changed the lives of many. Her final advice is simple: “Always KISSS. Keep it simple. Keep it safe. Keep it smart. Embrace the journey, appreciate your body and make fitness fun and a part of your life,” she concludes.
