Of slim waists and six-pack bodies...

VIJAYAWADA: It appears that a six-pack body is a must for many youngsters these days. Inspired by Bollywood stars, a number of them are making a beeline for modern gyms to add more muscle. However, there are also those wanting to lose flab or overcome stress. The gym is the place to go for them too.“Fitness consciousness is growing among city dwellers of all ages, from 16 to 65, including women,” says S Jagadish, chief trainer at ILA-Fit at Hotel Ilapuram.There are nearly 55 gyms in the city, including 11 run by the Vijayawada municipal corporation (VMC) and those at three-star hotels like Fortune Murali. Many of them have modern equipment and are centrally air-conditioned, with good interiors and facilities like music system and television.Those in the fitness business say a good gym costs Rs 30 lakh. Vijayawada has 10 top class gyms set up at a cost of Rs 50 lakh to Rs 75 lakh.The number of the visitors to these gyms is also good. About 100 to 150 do their workouts at each gym every day. The number of gym-going women too is growing.Top gyms charge Rs 8,000 to Rs 12,000 per annum, and if one needs a personal trainer, the fee goes up to Rs 35,000. Some gyms charge Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,200 for three months or Rs 500 per month.Though the gyms claim they have professional teams comprising a personal trainer, a dietitian, a nutritionist and a physiotherapist,  there are no certified trainers at many places.