What you see - Dinaz’s has always been a well-talked about fitness studio in the city. It has received reams of print space in the local dailies and hordes of celebrity clients in return as well. No wonder then that this is showcased to every potential customer through the several pictures and portraits in the studio. Now this is one place where our former chief minister Chandrababu Naidu has got substantial publicity as well, for there are several of his pictures with Dinaz here!
Our first impression of Dinaz’s studio in Banjara Hills wasn’t a really positive one. Well, there isn’t a proper sign board outside the studio, just a tiny one and that too atop an electric pole. You could even mistake the studio therefore, for just another bungalow in Banjara Hills.
However, a large portrait of Dinaz inside tries to assure you that all’s well at this studio. It says - We are committed to women’s health, well being and quality of life…You have my personal guarantee. And then there’s another sign - This studio exists because of you – on the badges of the staff members here. So it seems that there are so many signs giving out the right messages inside but not a great one outside to actually lead you to the studio.
Anyway, this modular gym, which mostly has the hip and young crowd coming for aerobics in their latest Nike costume has wooden flooring and the entire range of equipments such as Swiss balls (made of elastic rubber), wobble boards (try balancing on the board…it isn’t easy), bosu ball and biofoam rollers (again for balance training). And as for music, this studio makes sure that your exercise regimen is an enjoyable one, what with popular fast numbers making you dance to the tunes.
What you get - The amply-ventilated studio with competent trainers offers a variety of programs. You have classes in aerobics, personal training, nifty-fifty (aerobics for above 50-year-olds), gym instructor course (20 sessions spread over 45 days), nutrition programs and fitness training programs for sportspersons. Besides, though Dinaz’s is exclusively for women, a special aerobics session in the mornings (three days a week) is also organized for couples, at this studio.
A one month aerobics training session for six days or three days every week would cost you Rs. 1,700 or Rs. 1,200 respectively. As far as personal training is concerned, we were told that the cost differs from person to person. Consulting a physician before taking up any of the exercise programs was also advised.
Our verdict – Well, Dinaz’s has all that goes in the making of a good gym but it needs to ensure that its potential customers do not have to waste time searching for it. An easily-visible board would do good to it.
