Yacht Spinning: Mumbai's New Offshore Fitness Trend Combines Cardio with Sea Views
In a novel twist on traditional exercise routines, Mumbai is witnessing the rise of yacht spinning, an innovative fitness format that takes high-intensity indoor cycling out to sea. Spearheading this movement is fitness and longevity coach Khyati Kanjani, who made a bold career shift to cultivate a spin culture in India.
From Silicon Valley to the Arabian Sea: A Coach's Vision
Khyati Kanjani left a lucrative position at Apple in Silicon Valley to pursue her dream of building a spin culture in India. "I quit my high-paying job to start something new here," she explains. "While spinning is emerging in Mumbai through various iterations, I've developed unique formats like blindfolded spin and trampoline spin. For yacht spinning, I specifically designed the workout to offer a fresh perspective."
Kanjani emphasizes that this approach helps people engage with fitness in a fun and non-intimidating setting, breaking away from conventional gym environments.
Why Spinning Delivers Solid Health Benefits
Spinning, or high-intensity indoor cycling, is widely recognized for its physiological advantages. The yacht and beach formats may be unconventional, but the core benefits remain robust. For a bustling city like Mumbai, this offshore workout provides both intense physical activity and a mental respite.
- Cardiovascular Strength: Enhances heart and lung function through sustained aerobic exercise.
- Low-Impact Intensity: Offers vigorous workout without excessive joint strain, suitable for various fitness levels.
- Full Muscle Engagement: Targets legs, core, and upper body, promoting overall muscular development.
- Improved Mental Wellbeing: Combines endorphin release with calming sea views to reduce stress and boost mood.
A Workout with a View: Participant Experiences
During a recent Valentine's Day session, Chetan Thaker (44) and Deepali (40) celebrated their wedding anniversary on board. "My wife found this unique way to stay fit and enjoy our day differently," says Thaker. "We really enjoyed it. It's something different happening in Mumbai, and we got empty slots, so we were happy. It's a totally different experience we'd love to repeat."
For 30-year-old entrepreneur Tanishq Bindra, the setting was transformative. "It's an amazing experience I've never done before, and it keeps momentum up. It feels crazy to spin in the middle of the sea—I never imagined it. As someone very into fitness, with the gym as my second home, this is very calming. I also get to meet new people, which is thrilling. In the gym, it can get monotonous, so this community experience is what I love."
Arushi Gupta, who attended her first session with a friend, shares, "We encouraged each other to try this. I've never spun before, so that was new, and spinning on a yacht is something I never thought of. It's an exhilarating way to break routine."
This trend highlights how fitness innovation is merging with lifestyle preferences, offering Mumbaikars a chance to combine health goals with unique recreational experiences on the water.
