Nibras Panni, Executive Director at aamraActive Ltd. talks about her exclusive approach to making the corporate boutique gym a one-of-a-kind fitness experience.
What inspired you to the path of wellness, which eventually led you to become a fitness professional?
Since my teenage years, I have always been passionate about sports like squash and tennis. This love for physical activity was inherited from my family, and it made me realise the importance of physical fitness. However, I struggled with being overweight for many years, and my weight fluctuated like a yo-yo. It wasn’t until I turned 18 that I fully committed myself to losing weight and adopting a healthier lifestyle. After having children, my weight increased significantly, which motivated me even more to prioritise my fitness journey. I decided to help others in my community and took several courses to enhance my knowledge in the fitness industry. In 2014, I launched my website and created my own brand called Nibras Fitness. This brand gained considerable traction and engaged a large audience. What truly inspired me to pursue fitness as a profession was the desire to empower women and contribute to the growth of the fitness community. This decision led me to divert from my initial interest, which was fashion design, as I wanted to focus on helping women become fit and healthy.
How did your entrepreneurial venture lead you to join the corporate boutique gym, aamraActive Ltd.?
Becoming an entrepreneur did not happen overnight. When I started my career in the fitness industry 20 years ago, there were limited resources and no accessible means to learn the fundamentals of fitness apart from books. I had to gradually work my way up, which involved travelling abroad to complete various courses. During my time abroad, I also gained knowledge through different aspects of work. I attended a few workshops where I gained invaluable experience and knowledge. Through hard work and determination, I established myself as a brand and embarked on my entrepreneurial journey.
I am always looking for ways to diversify. While contemplating how to expand my career, an opportunity came along with aamraActive Ltd. in 2020. Recognising its potential, I dedicated myself to making aamraActive Ltd. a successful corporate boutique gym. With the support of the renowned Aamra Group, which has an extensive network, I took a leap into the corporate world. Since its establishment in 2015, our focus at aamraActive Ltd. has been on providing the community with exceptional fitness services in a lively environment.
Executive Director
aamraActive Ltd.
What are you doing differently to make aamraActive Ltd. set itself apart from the competition?
At aamraActive Ltd., our primary focus is the well-being of our customers. We are conveniently located in the heart of Gulshan-2 and our gym is easily accessible to everyone. We take pride in our diverse team of qualified trainers who excel at motivating individuals to become physically active. To make fitness enjoyable, aamraActive Ltd. organises various fun activities. Our trainers participate in friendly competitions, and we offer boxing and karate sessions. Additionally, we arrange photoshoots with our members, featuring them on our social media platforms. I personally host events like BBQs and lunches for our staff members, allowing us to interact and have a good time together. We believe in celebrating milestones, and birthdays are no exception. Each employee is greeted with a cake and a day of celebrations at the gym to show our appreciation. This exemplifies how much we value our members and their contributions. Staying connected with our members is important to me, so I remain physically active in the gym even while fulfilling my role as the Executive Director. This not only motivates our members but also enables me to socialise with them on the gym floor. It helps me stay updated and quickly address any concerns that may arise. Emphasising being proactive in the gym during office hours is not only fun and intuitive but also allows me to stay closely connected with our valued members.
How does aamraActive Ltd. overcome the challenges of ensuring a personalised fitness regime for a busy professional who has a packed schedule?
At aamraActive Ltd. we have a team of qualified trainers that plays a crucial role in assessing clients’ lifestyle information when they join the gym. Based on the assessment, the trainers and I work together to develop a personalised approach, exercise routine, and diet plan tailored specifically to each client’s needs. We understand that our clients lead busy lives. Our trainers have the knowledge to adapt and modify exercises accordingly with easily digestible information. Moreover, we provide guidance on how to address individual client concerns such as food allergies or previous injuries. To further enhance my team’s knowledge, I organise workshops and seminars on general health and fitness. These sessions cover topics like how to effectively train clients with health issues or injuries, which let our trainers offer specialised guidance based on individual circumstances.
What programmes are in the pipeline right now at aamraActive Ltd.?
Currently, we are working with Corporate Packages for Companies. Looking ahead, our vision for aamraActive Ltd. involves expanding into a franchise model, and establishing gyms in multiple locations across the city. This expansion will allow us to cater to a wider audience, bring the benefits of aamraActive Ltd. to various communities, and enable us to continue working towards our vision, ‘Building the foundation to wellness.’
Photographs courtesy of Nibras Panni
