Community of happy FIT women
Your Ultimate Destination for Fun Fitness
Bollyfit Active is a Unique Fitness Movement!
Gyms can be lonely, impersonal places. Testosterone-fueled amphitheatres packed full of health fanatics, each trying to outdo the other. For the average person, a trip to the gym can be daunting: alpha males chugging protein powder, condescending glances from gym instructors, and a sense of loneliness while working out. It's, therefore, not surprising that 57% of women feel insecure while working out at the gym. What if there was a solution? A women's-only fitness environment tailored to accommodate all abilities. A place that unites women from all cultures, religions, and races with the aim of 'Creating FIT Women'.
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Bollyfit Active is a unique fitness movement with a simple aim: 'To create a community of empowered women who want to take control of their Health, Wellness, and Fitness.' Bollyfit Active offers a strictly women-only environment, incorporating cultural music and cultural dance to tackle obesity, isolation, and depression and improve the health and well-being of South Asian and BAME women in the local community. Our women-only fitness community offers fun and interactive fitness sessions, allowing participants to achieve a happier, healthier, and more active lifestyle. Our classes emphasise wellness and inner growth because we understand the importance of mental well-being and physical health.
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Here at Bollyfit Active, we recognise the fundamental issue of health inequality amongst South Asian and BAME women. Women from BAME backgrounds have few opportunities to establish support networks outside of their families; they are unable to attend mainstream social and physical activity settings. Lack of cultural sensitivity from statutory services leads to a lack of support for women of BAME backgrounds. This leads to depression, anxiety, and life-limiting illness, and consequently disproportionate levels of obesity, stress, and disease. Issues regarding racism, abuse, and poverty only accentuate such health issues.
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Our participants are women of all cultures, backgrounds, religions, and races, all united by fitness, friendship, and freedom. We emphasise each participant's cultural background, encouraging every member to connect with music that is culturally significant to them. This allows participants to understand and relate to the music on a much deeper level than your average Zumba class. Our welcoming, friendly, and joyful environment will enable women of all abilities to express themselves through culture, music, and dance. Throughout the sessions, we invite attendees to take the lead in the Confidence Builder Circle of Dance, allowing participants to exhibit their individuality while building confidence and leadership skills. Women can showcase their achievements and accomplishments to family and friends at the Quarterly Bollyfit Active Recognition Party.
Bollyfit Active Empowers Women to Take Control of Their Health and Fitness
BollyFit's Unique Approach
Vision
We want to empower women of all cultures, religions and races, creating a community of independent women united by fitness, health and well-being.'
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Mission
To empower and inspire a generation of independent women who believe in who they are. Our protected women-only fitness space supports South Asian and BAME women to find their voice in society. We are actively tackling obesity, depression, anxiety, and isolation and working towards improving the health and well-being of South Asian and BAME women and girls. Our fitness sessions focus on physical health and mental wellness, incorporating culture, religion and individuality into our classes. Through inspiring South Asian and BAME women to trust in their own voice, we aim to tackle the health crisis which disproportionately affects women of a BAME background.
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Our Pledge
Women are the backbone of every community. We help BAME and South Asian women build confidence, purpose and self-worth, giving them the confidence to be heard. Our women-only fitness program allows members to express themselves freely in a safe and secure environment. Our women have formed long-lasting friendships, bonding over a shared love of dance, fitness and wellbeing. We celebrate our members' individuality, encouraging them to be themselves, express their feelings and move out of their comfort zones. Bollyfit Active supports members' physical and mental well-being; it's a safe space void of negativity and a place of healing. We place particular emphasis on 'adaptation', helping members adapt to an ever-changing society and teaching that 'new things' can be better than old traditions. In addition to Bollyfit Active's in-person fitness classes, we utilise ZOOM and WhatsApp to ensure our members are supported 24/7. By expanding our service to online platforms, we have expanded the Bollyfit community, ensuring our women always have constant support and a safe space to express their feelings.
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Our Impact
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Reduction in GP visits
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Reduction in medication
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Weight Loss
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Increased Activity
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Increased Emotional Resilience
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Increase personal wellbeing
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Increased confidence
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Reduction in Social Isolation
Meet with Shamime Jan, the Director and Founder of Bollyfit Active, along with some of our amazing members!
Meet the Team
We're excited to introduce you to the incredible people who make BollyFit Active possible. Our admins, talented team, volunteers and dedicated support staff work tirelessly to ensure that you have an unforgettable experience. We're here to help you in every way we can, so get ready to put a face to the name and discover the people behind the brand!
Naomi Woodcock, 422 Community Hub
“We’ve signposted women who were looking to manage their weight to Bollyfit sessions & they have gained confidence about being able to actually do something to manage their weight & achieve results where they may have struggled before. They’re so proud & positive about what they’ve achieved.”
Words From the Women Who Participated in The Bollyfit Active Movement and Wellbeing Programme Supported By The Manchester City Council Population Health.
Journey To Fitness:
Stories Of Success and Strength
RD
BollyFit Member
"I have been connected with Bollyfit for over 2 years now. I came to Bollyfit as a lost woman who didn't know what I wanted in life. I was hit with bad health and was totally dependent on my family to look after me. When I physically started getting better, I found Bollyfit Active, and at this point, my mental health was at its lowest. week by week after attending Bollyfit sessions I started to notice small changes in my mental health, and I was enjoying the changes and before I knew it, I was healthier, happier and much stronger mentally and physically. I then wanted to give something back to Bollyfit so I decided to volunteer for Bollyfit, I had a lot of work to still do on myself with my confidence but 1 step at a time my confidence grew. I was a very active Bollyfit volunteer and then became a sessional worker for BFA and then followed by training up to become a BFA coach and also getting a paid job with the council. When I look back, I still cannot believe I have come this far. 3 years ago, i gave up on life i couldn't look after my family and now i am doing everything and managing my health better. Bollyfit has taught me how to live again, i found myself again i have a big Bollyfit family now where i have lots of genuine relationships mothers/sisters/friends/companions we laugh together we cry together, and we enjoy life together.
Here I am... My name is Asma. I have wings that I can fly with, and I want to show everyone that they have wings, too, and we all can fly together. I love to bring a smile on every human I cross paths with and show them their potential, and I love watching them fly higher than me, too"
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BollyFit gives you a holistic package tailored to your needs, and this is the speciality of BollyFit that I have never seen in any other classes or groups I have attended in the past. Thank you BollyFit for helping me find and use my wings again.
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