Shamime’s story: BollyFit Active

By GreaterSport | 14 July 2021 | TAGS: Covid-19, Stories, Adults, Manchester

‘We run women only fitness sessions four times a week. Empowering and inspiring women to believe in who they are through dance, fitness and connection. I set up BollyFit Active myself as I was frustrated of the lack of women only environments for women training as coaching instructors and for women looking to move more.

It’s important to focus on the ‘what’s in it for me’ not put health and activity in silos, ‘it needs to be part and parcel.’  

We started off using churches, halls and local community spaces in Manchester.  During Covid-19 we’ve been running sessions on zoom. It’s important to support ways for people to move at home, we spend so much of our time at home and we adapt to our parents and family norms.  Ideally we’d like our own base in the local community.

The sessions are very popular and we have grown considerably. We now have people coming through who are getting involved and volunteering their time to help. We have funding for three coaches and are spreading. 

If you’ve been a victim of racial abuse, the sessions provide a space and support to speak out, become a representative.  There are lots of health inequalities in South Asian communities, we look for ways to add on support in collaboration with other existing groups and partnerships.

“Bollyfit Active sessions made me confident and motivated”  Zoom Bollyfitter

“Bollyfit Active changed my life, my energy, my mood improved, my health in general approached, more clearer mind, more relaxed.” Bollyfitter