Garba Is Pune’s new fun way to fitness

By Neha Rathod

The beats festive, the steps traditional — but the moves have a modern spin. Once defined by graceful rotations and folk patterns like Dodiyu, Popat, and Tran Taali, Garba is now finding innovations inside Pune ’s fitness studios. From Zumba-Garba and Garbarobics to garba crash courses kicking off weeks before Navratri, Punekars are dancing their way to better health— swapping dumbbells for dandiyas and reps for taali beats.

As the music starts on the trending Dholida track, feet begin to tap, hands clap — and soon, a cheerful chaos takes over the studio. Just when it seems like a dance circle, the instructor calls out, “Squat, twirl, repeat — set two!” The line between exercise and celebration fades.

Zumba instructor and fitness trainer Poonam Jain from Fit Stories has