Dropout rate high

TIRUPATI:  There were hardly four or five gyms in Tirupati till a few years ago, offering basic workout routines. But now, the number has increased to a dozen, plus the fitness centres in a couple of star hotels.However, compared to other cities like Hyderabad and Visakhpatnam, the gym culture here is still on a low key. “Lack of awareness is one thing and indecisiveness is another possible reason. But I can say one thing for sure: people are becoming more fitness conscious,” says Murali, gym master at King Hanuman Gym.The gym, which has the latest fitness equipment in the town, perhaps in the region, was started 18 months ago. “Response is good, but we still have a long way to go,” Murali says.Interestingly, dropout rate among gym-goers is very high. About 65 percent of them leave the workout routine within a few months. Only some 15 to 20 percent do regular practice.Madhu Gym, a traditional fitness centre set up four decades ago, was closed a couple of years back, mainly for want of patronage.