GCC gyms, no-go for fitness-minded

Time of India

20 hours ago

Chennai: Those depending on gymnasiums run by Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) for their fitness needs have hit a roadblock, as many of them are either locked, broken down, or being misused.
For many young people, and even athletes like T Shankar, a district-level football player from Kodambakkam, a private gym membership is far too costly. "A mid-level private gym costs at least 3,000 to 5,000 for three months. My father works as an MTC driver and he is the only earning member. We can't afford a private gym with membership and personal trainer fees," he said. But GCC gym in Trustpuram has been lying shut for more than two years.
"The 4,000-odd families here have asked for maintenance of the facility. The Corporation shouldn't start something and then forget about it," said V Harish, a resident.
Across areas such as Saidapet, Mylapore Kabali Thottam, Nakkeran Nagar, and Thousand Lights, GCC-run gyms are in a dire state. The city has 216 such facilities across its 15 zones, including standalone units, playground gyms, and women-only EmpoHER centres.
Although they are supposed to remain open from 5am to 9am and 5pm to 9.30pm, most of these gyms are locked for most of the day and opened only late in the evening.
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In some areas, locked gyms have become hangouts for tipplers and hubs for antisocial elements, raising safety concerns. Even gyms that remain open are poorly maintained, with broken dumbbells, rusted barbells, torn seats, and manual equipment instead of modern hydraulic machines. There is no potable water, clean toilets, or changing rooms. "Most of the equipment a gym needs, three dumbbell sets up to 100 kg, two treadmills, a Smith machine, cable flyes, and a bench press, can be bought and installed within 5–6 lakh.
Hydraulic equipment must be serviced once in six months," said K Vinoth Bhaskar, two-time Mr Tamil Nadu and owner of Spot Gym in Kodambakkam.
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