Swap the bar stool for a spin bike, that’s the shift Kolkata is making. With DJ-led workouts inside pubs and nightclub-style fitness studios, the city is embracing a new way to socialise: one that trades drinks for dopamine and turns sweat into a shared experience.
Attendees share their experience
“I was very sceptical before coming—but it turned out to be really fun,” says Lakita Sakhrani, senior product specialist and attendee, adding that “timing matters… you have to move fast, and that makes it exciting.”
“Sweat Social quite literally meant ‘sweat socially’… it’s something we’ve never seen in the city before,” say attendees Paridhi Jain, a student, and Suhasini Jain, an entrepreneur.
“I work out regularly, so I wasn’t expecting much—but this session proved me completely wrong,” says Udit Vyas, director at a company and regular fitness enthusiast. “It activated the entire body… it really feels like Kolkata’s fitness movement has arrived.”
Overwhelming response
“We had 72 spots across three sessions—and everything was fully booked,” says Aastha Seth, co-founder of Recovery Room, adding, “even people who aren’t into fitness showed up and participated.”
Socialise, the Gen Z way
“The concept of ‘sweat social’ is gaining traction as more young people are backing healthier lifestyle initiatives,” says Wakas Ather, founder of RBW Fitness Studio.
“Gen Z is looking for healthier ways to socialise, it doesn’t always have to be over drinks,” says Aastha Seth, co-founder of Recovery Room.
“We wanted to recreate gym energy in a nightclub setting,” says Sreyas Agarwal, co-founder of Calcutta Run Club. “The turnout has been huge… the city is looking for something new.”
“People are moving away from party culture… now they vibe over a run or a workout,” says Malavika Kanoria, founder of SoulSync, a boutique spinning studio.
A boutique spinning studio
“It blends socialisation with fitness… people coming together to do something beyond alcohol, that’s what makes it meaningful,” says Yashvi Tandon, co-founder of Recovery Room.
“This was a wonderful new experience… people say Kolkata is getting boring, but this felt fresh,” says Keshav Mall, business director and attendee.
