Cardio theaters - the new 'in' thing

Motivating oneself to workout is a task in itself. If gyms get jam packed in the month of January, following new year resolutions, starting Feb, the crowd starts thinning into a trickle and by mid year, only the really serious gymmers are seen frequenting the place.

And gym owners are constantly on the lookout for getting more people to join, using one pretext or the other. It might be a personal instructor or organic food and juices or getting celebrities to endorse working out and so on. The latest fad in USA, which is sure to soon make way into India is gymming while watching a movie. Known as cardio theaters, the place resembles a movie theater, with a big screen and darkness but instead of seats, there are treadmills and other equipment’s. Thus one works out in the dark while watching a movie. Apparently it is a big hit as people come there to first watch a movie, get caught up in the story and unknowingly work out too. For many the darkness appeals as they feel no one is watching them while working out.

The Wall Street Journal reports that cardio theaters thrive particularly in $20-to-$50-per-month clubs that want to offer as many basic fitness options as possible.  At most cardio theaters, a movie plays on repeat each day and through the evening. Gym managers also take requests from members and also have themes like retro or old movies on Thursdays. To show these movies legally, each club pays an $820 annual fee per location to the Motion Picture Licensing Corporation.  Well, as we said earlier, if this is a trend in USA, it HAS to come to India; after all we emulate almost everything American.