Workouts find a new beat with fitness raves in Bengaluru | Bengaluru News
The line between nightlife and workouts is blurring with the popularity of fitness raves. Across Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Delhi, these events are gaining traction, offering a sober space for fitness enthusiasts. Here, pulsating electronic beats and dynamic lighting fuel high-energy group workouts, as attendees clad in athleisure dance it out. Fitness raves are a departure from conventional routines, offering attendees a new, communal way to engage with physical activity, say organisers of fitness raves in Bengaluru.‘FITNESS RAVES OFFER A HEALTHY ALTERNATIVE TO THE PARTY SCENE’Arvind Srikanth of the 56 Run Club in Bengaluru says, “The inspiration behind these events in Bengaluru was to offer a healthy alternative to the usual party scene. Regular parties are common here; you go, you drink, you dance, you head home late with a hangover the next day. Fitness raves aim to eliminate those negative aspects. The idea is to combine a fitness activity, like a run, with the fun of a dance party. You get fit, enjoy dancing, have breakfast, and by late morning, you’ve already had a productive, enjoyable start to your day with no hangover.”
As I get older, I want to prioritise fitness over partying, and fitness raves offer the perfect mix of both. The party celebrating a run feels like a great reward for doing something good, and I’ve even made some incredible friendships
Gowri Bhat, an attendee of the 56 Run Club’s fitness raves
What is a fitness rave?
Essentially a sober dance party with a fitness focus, a fitness rave integrates invigorating exercises into a rave-like environment.
A morning ritual
These events typically kick off early, often around 9 am, following a run or workout. By mid-morning, participants have already completed their exercise, enjoyed a dance party, and often had breakfast. It’s a complete experience that leaves the rest of the day open and hangover-free.‘FITNESS RAVES BLENDING SOCIALISING WITH PHYSICAL ACTIVITY’Sidharth notes, “Fitness raves hold significant shock and share value on social media, and that attracts new people to the community. I think there’s also a celebratory aspect to fitness raves. We are ultimately celebrating togetherness and a sense of community at a time when the loneliness epidemic is prevalent. Through these raves, I hope people recognise that there are social spaces with a clear intent: to socialise and combine it with fitness.” “Fitness raves are gaining traction because people are seeking alternative ways to socialise beyond traditional avenues like making friends at work, using dating apps, or meeting people at clubs. Fitness raves provide a novel space for social interaction,” he adds.‘IT’S AN EXCITING WAY TO ENGAGE WITH FITNESS’ This format also attracts a wider audience, creating fun new ways for people to engage with fitness. “The rave element draws in those who might not typically be into fitness, making it more accessible. Crucially, attending the rave portion requires participating in the preceding run or workout – you can’t just show up for the afters. This motivates people to join the full fitness activity,” Arvind says.
From a science perspective, engaging in a fitness activity socially significantly increases adherence and reduces attrition. When people participate in group activities, including fitness raves, they’re more likely to sustain their efforts over a longer period
Siddharth Yadav, who organises fitness raves in Bengaluru
