Gone are the days when pot bellies symbolised the status of executives.
Leading corporates in Gujarat and even the state government itself have woken up to the fitness mantra which is gradually becoming a trend in most of the mega cities.
One of the first ones to take such an initiative in the state is the Cadila Pharma group.
"We have set-up a state-of-the-art fitness facilities for our employees. We have a gymnasium, play court, meditation centre, jogging facilities, swimming pool et al for our employees," A K Kurup head of corporate communications, Cadilla Group told Business Standard.
Industry officials said stressful and demanding work environment has become the order of the day in the increasingly competitive corporate world.
It thus becomes imperative for corporate to have such fitness facilities for their employees.
Not to be left behind in the fitness trend that is soon catching up in the state, a Yoga and Fitness centre with all popular exercise machines is being set-up in Sachivalay, Gandhinagar. The response he says has "been very encouraging."
Sudhir Mankad, Gujarat chief secretary, said that officials would be encouraged to use the facilities.
"All major corporates have such fitness facilities and the employees have benefited. Healthy mind is healthy body," he said.
Corporates also encourage their employees to take up fitness regimes regularly.
"We facilitate by giving corporate memberships to top clubs in the city, apart from holding fitness awareness programmes," B Ravi said, vice-president, corporate communications, Ashima.
Another common fitness programme corporates conduct to keep their employees in top shape are yoga and meditation programmes.
"We has conducted yoga and other exercises mainly to create awareness about the need and benefits of fitness," he added.
Officials say these fitness programmes have received an absolute positive response.
While employers have become "energetic and positively affected the productivity" it also creates a good environment to work.
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