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Meet Amal Sarwar, the gym instructor bringing the fun back to fitness in Karachi

Meet Amal Sarwar, the gym instructor bringing the fun back to fitness in Karachi

Sarwar, who is the only certified Bokwa instructor in Pakistan, gets that variety is the spice of life
Updated 15 Mar, 2016

Keeping fit has never been cooler. Whether you’re a newbie or a gym-junkie, a fun fitness class feels like a godsend. Meet Amal Sarwar, a bright young instructor at Studio X whose classes are anything but run-of-the-mill. From Bokwa to boxing, this is one gym instructor who knows that variety is the spice of life.

26-year-old Amal built on a personal passion for fitness, taking classes in the UK to become a certified fitness instructor. She started with a foundation course in group instruction at YMCAfit and is now also certified for Kettle Bell classes, Bootcamp instruction, Bokwa and boxing.

“I’m particularly proud of my Ricky Hatton Boxing Academy certification which enables me to give both group classes and one-on-on instruction. I’m also the only certified Bokwa instructor in Pakistan.”

Sarwar ups her planking game by combining her planks with kettle bells -  Photo by the author
Sarwar ups her planking game by combining her planks with kettle bells - Photo by the author

Bokwa originated in LA, like many fitness crazes, and is a cool blend of hip-hop dance and step moves. The creator has roots in the Zulu tribe and Bokwa is a form of dance-fitness based on Zulu dance steps. The moves involve tracing the alphabet or numbers on the ground, making it easy to follow even for beginners. As you get more comfortable you can add your own shimmies and free-style moves.

“Bokwa is a great dance-based class because its much simpler than Zumba, which can be quite intimidating for some, and because it encourages people to really let loose and enjoy themselves.”

While Amal teaches various classes at Studio X, you’ll have to be up early to catch her because she also has a pretty cool day-job. She’s the creative lead at Erly Stage Studios, a start-up gaming studio that develops gaming, mobile apps and graphic novels for educational purposes.

When she's not hitting the gym, Sarwar is creating educational apps, games and graphic novels - Photo by the author
When she's not hitting the gym, Sarwar is creating educational apps, games and graphic novels - Photo by the author

“It’s a start-up so the hours can get really crazy but we have an amazing team. I still find time to work out myself and to teach fitness because it’s something that’s been a big part of my life since I was 16.”

Amal started working out to look good in a sari at her school farewell, trying to get rid of puppy fat. She started off with just running on a treadmill but by the time the farewell was over, she’d caught the fitness bug. She moved on to working out at Shapes, adding strength training to her routine and never looked back.

“I really think everyone should add some weights to their routine. Strength training boosts your metabolism, improves your endurance and makes your bones stronger.”

Sarwar thinks strength training is an essential element of a workout - Photos by the author
Sarwar thinks strength training is an essential element of a workout - Photos by the author

As you might guess she’s also a big fan of adding variety to your workouts. One of the reasons is that boredom is always a danger: if you’re doing the same routine day in and day out, it easy to lose enthusiasm. Adding something new keeps your mind challenged, giving you more motivation to wake up and get to the gym.

The other reason for mixing things up is that your body tends to hit a plateau. You may be working really hard, sweating buckets in your workout and still not see a change. Varying your exercise routine can shock your body into changing and is a great way to see results.

Next up, Amal is saving for yet another YMCAfit certification - this time in Personal Training.

“Once I get the personal training certification, I’ll be able to offer to advise my clients on nutrition and tailor-make individual regimes for my clients.”

Until then, she’s adding plenty to Karachi’s fitness scene. If you’re tired of the 42 day challenge or power yoga, maybe it’s time to try out Bokwa or boxing?

Until then, here's four easy ways to jet-start a fit lifestyle:

1) Early dinner! Try eating your last meal of the day by or before 7 pm. Your metabolism slows down considerably by the end of the day.

2) Never skip breakfast; a cup of tea does not count!

3) Start using stairs and try to do your own little everyday errands, like dumping clothes into the laundry or going to get yourself a glass of water. The key is to stay active.

4) Snack healthy. Keep a bag of almonds at the work desk or maybe even a bowl of bananas and apples on your dining table. Remember not to binge-eat snacks, even if they are healthy.

Comments

nEo Mar 15, 2016 12:28pm
way to go girl.. btw she is gorgeous..
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Angry Mar 15, 2016 12:28pm
Love the fitness trend catching on like fire in the urban centers - about time!
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nastik Mar 15, 2016 12:47pm
Beautiful. We really need this.
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whoami Mar 15, 2016 12:53pm
Good to See Pakistan is changing...finally!
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Zak Mar 15, 2016 01:04pm
Really impressed. Pakistans pioneering talent is rising. This is the new Pakistan emerging. Great job.
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Zak Mar 15, 2016 01:05pm
@Angry soon it will move to rural areas as well.
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Funga Mar 15, 2016 01:17pm
Excellent. Keep it up Amal..
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Irfan Mar 15, 2016 01:17pm
I dont know much about fitness . but she is really gorgeous
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Mudassir Mar 15, 2016 01:19pm
Good
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Siri Mar 15, 2016 01:39pm
Wow, what a lady! So inspiring!
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M. Ahmed Mar 15, 2016 01:40pm
Best of luck. Do us proud
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Akber_Eh Mar 15, 2016 02:04pm
And then people say That Pakistan is conservative country where women are forced to stay at home only.. Family values for women are often considered as Country Rule (which is sad).. Everyone in Pakistan is free to do whatever they want if their family values allow them..
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Irfan Mar 15, 2016 02:10pm
Does she also instructs boys as well? I am also interested (specially after seeing all the facilities the gym covers).
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Mehreen Malik Mar 15, 2016 02:40pm
Good to see a such positive change in Pakistan regarding healthy lifestyle and body aesthetics! Keep up the awesome work girl!
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Ajay Gupta Mar 15, 2016 02:55pm
Hi! I am not your would be client but I am fan of ur work . I am from Delhi n saw your Gym . Since I am also health conscious guy , so I am very much impressed with ur world class Gym . We hear a lot about the worse condition of ladies in Pakistan but u change my entire perception about Pakistan .
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Justwasif Mar 15, 2016 03:00pm
Beautiful and fit she is...
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IN Mar 15, 2016 03:19pm
Cool!! But wonder if 40+ ladies of the subcontinent can keep up the pace for one whole hour like we can manage to do with Zumba or Yoga or Aerobics. We in India have Bollywood fitness which is equally good but tougher like you would never imagine! Structured dances like Bharat Natyam are still the best but freelance style is okay too! Real fun. Didn't know my city had Bokwa until now. Just googled.
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Justwasif Mar 15, 2016 03:42pm
I Love those who care their health. Loving and caring your health should be the uupmost priority of your life must give your time to yourself and your body.. Dont take it as a granted. Thanks JustWasif
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Nadeem Mar 15, 2016 04:52pm
Miss Sarwar You must start in Islamabad...people would go crazy here with your kind of skill set ...trust me
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Pawan Mar 15, 2016 05:05pm
Good to see decent gym and trained instructor in Karachi. Want to know more about how equipment was purchased or imported ?
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Whoisyourdaddy? Mar 15, 2016 05:18pm
Excellent!
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AJ Mar 15, 2016 06:06pm
Im glad people in Pakistan are trying to be healthier. I would add 5th to the easy ways to jet-start a fit lifestyle and that is watch what you eat. Working out is good, but equally as important are your eating habits. Way to go Sarwar!!
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GA Mar 15, 2016 06:47pm
Workout and eat healthy early in life so as not to suffer the consequences later on. I often see Pakistanis at buffets or parties loading up their plates as if it's their last meal. Even if it's 10pm!
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raheel Mar 15, 2016 06:56pm
i dont think she would agree to meet me :(
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Mohammed Mar 15, 2016 07:00pm
Where is the gym based in Karachi?
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Justwasif Mar 15, 2016 07:24pm
Beautiful smile she has..
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RIZ Mar 15, 2016 09:48pm
Good to see women are stepping up in all fields.
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Sachin Mar 15, 2016 11:13pm
Cooool . Keep it up.
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Just here Mar 16, 2016 12:19am
It is well known that Pakistani people eat so much especially the women you goto any wedding or birthday party you will see it. Nowadays I see mostly women in Pakistan are worrying about their weight which is good thing.
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asim Mar 16, 2016 09:14am
I am very prod of your work and courage. I wish you best of luck and pray for your safety.
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ahmad Mar 16, 2016 09:23am
I would love her to be my training instructor.
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ak Mar 16, 2016 12:47pm
I tried Bokwa one. Fell to my face. :D but thats a story for another time. Still best of luck. Youre doin good.
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ak Mar 16, 2016 12:48pm
Why doesnt she try in Islamabad. She'll rule
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white noise Mar 17, 2016 11:47am
you can tell how badly Pakistan needs progress for women, that if one goes to gym, which is a norm in the west, it becomes a news. she should train more girls so this trend can grow. there is nothing wrong with keeping fit.
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Moeen Mar 17, 2016 11:24pm
@Irfan "facilities"
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Kavita Mar 19, 2016 12:27pm
Proud of you. Respect from India.
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Ehsan Mar 20, 2016 01:01am
Also lets try to reclaim our outdoors to encourage and spread the message of regular exercise
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