Mytime Active Stories - Anil & daughter Aaria
A family affair
Anil has always been physically active. He completed the London marathon in 2015 and enjoys playing a range of sports including football, golf and tennis.
He explains: “I was brought up playing football; we used our jumpers for goalposts. I captained the school’s 11-a-side team and, as I got older, I played more 5-a-side. I love playing golf too and also played tennis until I tore my Achilles two years ago."
Anil, 46, who works for an investment bank, likes to start his day with a positive mindset and attends The Spa at Beckenham five times a week, arriving at 6am to enjoy the Fire and Force HIIT class or an indoor cycling session before work.
He says: “Returning to work in the office post pandemic means I am reliant on early classes. Luckily, I prefer to work out in the mornings and do the 6am classes on weekdays and get to the gym early on the weekends too. I really enjoy the classes; they make me feel good. After a workout in the morning, I’m left feeling wide awake and stronger. The instructors are amazing; they really create a fantastic atmosphere and experience.”
Anil joined The Spa after moving to Beckenham from Catford eight years ago. He says: “I used to be a member at the Bridge Leisure Centre in Lewisham and so was keen to attend my local sports centre here as well. But it’s why I’ve stayed a member for so long that’s really important.
“The Spa at Beckenham has first-class instructors and there's a great group of people that attend the classes. As well as the goal setting, Jade, Lana, Sharon and Marie mix the routines up so they’re fun, challenging and enjoyable. They supported me when I tore my Achilles too. It took around five months to recover enough to come out of the boot. Then I began my rehabilitation with Sharon’s spin classes to build strength. Two months later I was able to get back into strength training.”
On first joining The Spa, Anil only attended indoor cycling classes, but now he does more strength-based training, with a 25% spin to 75% strength/HIIT split.
He explains: “I moved towards strength training to get a better balance between cardio fitness, building muscle and getting lean. The first kettlebells class I went to was so tough; although I was shattered, I knew I had to come back to build the strength!
Taking his fitness to a new level, alongside three other Mytime Active members, Anil recently raised £1,070 for the Battle Cancer Program, which offers strength and fitness programmes for people post-cancer treatment. His team came 26th out of 124 teams in the 90-minute Battle Cancer London 2024 competition, with instructors Jade and Lana also competing in a team of four and finishing in 2nd place.
However, Anil’s not the only member of his family that benefits from The Spa. His six-year-old daughter Aaria is also a big fan. He shares: “My wife and I have been bringing our daughter Aaria to swimming lessons since she was in preschool. Having her learn a lifesaving skill gives us confidence. She started swimming two years ago; she’s now at Level 3 and really enjoys it. The Spa is a great place with so much to offer – she uses the soft play sometimes and even had her birthday party there a few years ago.”