Think working out just means hitting the gym or jogging around the block? Not anymore. Exercise has moved way beyond that, especially with new ideas popping up all the time. And if you’re wondering who’s shaking things up in India, Namrata Purohit’s name shines pretty bright.Namrata isn’t just any fitness coach — she’s the powerhouse behind those chiseled Bollywood physiques and a major name in sports circles too. Most people see her as the face of Pilates in India, the trainer behind stars like Sara Ali Khan and Janhvi Kapoor. But there’s a lot more to her story. Before she became the go-to fitness guru for celebrities, Namrata’s journey took quite a few surprising turns. She started with big dreams, but even before taking her flight towards that, she had to deal with a serious injury. And that injury changed everything, along with her course of life.
16 Years of Pilates: Namrata Purohit on Training Bollywood’s Biggest Names- Sara Ali Khan, Janhvi Kapoor, Varun Dhawan
From being a sports lover to enduring a serious injury
Namrata Purohit grew up in Mumbai, born on August 24, 1993. Even at a younger age, Namrata was always moving — sometimes on the squash court, sometimes on the football field — and her love for sports showed up early. She played squash at the national level and football for her state. Discipline came naturally to her, but life tossed her a curveball when she was still a teenager. A horse-riding accident left her with a serious knee injury. That injury forced her to leave squash behind, and for a while, she struggled to get her strength back.Her dad, Samir Purohit, wasn’t just any regular parent — he was a respected fitness expert. He was the one who suggested Namrata try Pilates for rehab. And Namrata did — she signed up for a Pilates course in Mumbai.At first, maybe she didn’t expect much, but within days, she noticed the pain fading. Her movement got easier. That’s when Pilates hooked her. It became more than rehab; it turned into a passion.
The turning point: Pursuing passion with pilates
When Namrata experienced the power of pilates firsthand, that moment flipped a switch. She saw what Pilates could do beyond just building muscles or burning calories. It was about posture, core strength, flexibility, and feeling good in her own body again. Suddenly, movement felt joyful, not just necessary. Pilates opened up a whole new direction for her, one she hadn’t even pictured before.After that, Namrata didn’t just practice Pilates — she owned it. By 16, she was officially the youngest trained Stott Pilates instructor. She didn’t stop there. By 19, she’d wrapped up advanced Stott Pilates courses, picked up her Barre certification, kept adding new training methods to her toolkit, and she even traveled to places like London and Canada for extra training.
What did Namrata do before becoming a fitness coach?
Even though Namrata grew up surrounded by fitness, she didn’t just jump straight into coaching. She hit the books first and completed her academics. She studied economics at Jai Hind College, then went to the UK for a master’s in sports management at Loughborough University, which is a top spot for sports science. That mix of business, science, and fitness gave her a different edge as a coach.Namrata’s dad’s guidance and her education taught her to look at the big picture — not just working one-on-one, but thinking about how to help more people and make fitness accessible.
Entrepreneurial success
In 2011, Namrata cofounded ‘The Pilates Studio’ in Mumbai. It took off in no time and became one of India’s most talked-about fitness centers. The studio stood out for being the first to combine Pilates with simulated altitude training, something you just didn’t see anywhere else at the time.Namrata’s training style is all about balance: strength, flexibility, and moving mindfully. She came up with the mantra “KISSS — Keep It Safe, Simple, and Smart.” It sums up her whole approach — making fitness straightforward and safe, but still smart and effective for anyone, no matter their body or goals.However, Namrata didn’t stop at Pilates, either. She picked up certifications in pole fitness, Boogie Bounce, EMS training, and more. Her skill set is huge — not something you see every day, even among top trainers.Now, Namrata’s influence goes beyond the studio. She wrote ‘The Lazy Girl’s Guide to Being Fit’, a book meant to make fitness feel less intimidating and more doable, especially for people who don’t see themselves as “fitness people.”
A star-studded clientele
Namrata’s name really exploded in Bollywood circles. She’s known as the go-to trainer for stars who need fitness plans that fit both their roles on screen and their lives off-camera. Her client list? It’s packed: Kareena Kapoor Khan (who started Pilates with Namrata after having a baby), Sara Ali Khan (who sticks to tough routines with her), and Janhvi Kapoor (who trains to fix posture and beat back pain).Namrata has even shared insights about Sara Ali Khan’s fitness journey, especially Sara’s work to manage PCOS. That’s the kind of coaching that goes way beyond just looking good. Namrata’s out there helping people feel stronger and healthier, inside and out.Her client list reads like a who’s who of Bollywood: Varun Dhawan, Jacqueline Fernandez, Arjun Kapoor, Malaika Arora, Nargis Fakhri, Neha Dhupia, Elli Avram, Bruna Abdullah, and the list keeps going. Her reach isn’t just limited to movie stars, either. She worked as the official Pilates coach for Mumbai City FC in the Indian Super League, teaming up with her dad, and she’s helped athletes build strength, stay flexible, and avoid injuries.
