Lose weight, save money

For the fitness enthusiast, DDA sports complexes have more than just machines, at an affordable price.

If you want to stay fit without investing in an expensive private gym membership, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) sports complexes are the place to be. And with 14 of them spread out in the north, south, east and west zones in the capital, you are bound to find one close to home.

But why choose a DDA sports complex over a fancy private gym that guarantees weight loss within seven days (there are several)? “The foremost advantage of theDDA sports complexes is the price point. We provide a greater number of facilities, be it tennis, badminton, swimming or even yoga,” says DDA Commissioner (public relations) Neemo Dhar. Sports complexes, such as the ones in Siri Fort, Vasant Kunj and Paschim Vihar, offer a multitude of activites such as squash, billiards, basketball, skating and aerobics.

The jogging track is the clear winner. “Our walking tracks are always packed in mornings and evenings,” claims Dhar. The abundant green cover attracts people from all age groups, who prefer the fresh air to a claustrophic gym. The well-manicured tennis lawns, basketball courts and swimming pools find several takers too, especially young athletes.

Although several members believe that the fitness equipment in the DDA multi-gyms is not at par with private gyms, Dhar has a point to make. “We had invested in new equipment around two years back. However, unlike private gyms, we cannot buy treadmills worth Rs 11 lakh and more, owing to wear and tear and maintenance costs.” The equipment, she adds, “is at par with the private gyms and encourages strength building and weight training.” A treadmill in the DDA gym costs around Rs 2lakh.

There is a flip side. Unlike a private gym, wherein you simply pay a rather heavy sum to get in, DDA gyms have a slightly tedious membership procedure. “There is a screening committee which approves application forms,” says Dhar. The approval takes about a month.

One can join a DDA sports complex and avail its facilities upon taking the membership on a “pay and play” basis. There are several types of memberships available, which make you a life-time individual member, a corporate member, a temporary member, an honorary member and even a casual member. The charges vary according to the different membership plans, with provisions of special concessions for senior citizens and students. As of today, the life-time membership costs Rs 16,000.

However, the lengthy procedure does not deter aspiring members from filing applications. In fact, due to over-capacity, the membership in Siri Fort complex is already closed. “If we were to keep it open, there would be fights over the facilities,” jokes Dhar. On an average, 900 temporary members are added to the DDA sports complexes every month, while 30 per cent of their members have paid for a life-time membership. Both parties have access to the same facilities.

As far as the equipment goes, there are plans for a revamp ahead. “The life span of machines is around four years and we plan to buy more commercial equipment that helps our members and prevents injuries,” adds Dhar.

With most of their facilities booked and several applications still in the waiting, the DDA sports complexes seem to be hotspots for fitness enthusiasts and experts alike.