Taru Chaddha might be the woman behind the busiest Pilates studios, RedMat Pilates in Gurugram, but she started out as a banking professional before falling head over heels for this particular form of workout.
A quick scroll through her Instagram handle will tell you that she loves the outdoors. With her yoga mat being the only constant, Taru can be seen working out in the hills or by the beach. It comes as no surprise that she’s one of India’s leading Pilates instructors—conventional gyms are clearly not her thing.
Back in 2010, when she started working out again after delivering her second child, Taru searched for a trainer. But all she found was generic workouts designed for men. “As women, our body goes through so many changes during our lifetime—right from adolescence, to when you have a baby, to when you’re pre or post-menopausal. But if you go to a gym, they don’t cater to these things—they mostly cater to men,” she says. Fed up of doing lunges and bicep curls, Taru decided there was only one way to bridge that gap—by becoming the fitness coach she and several other women were looking for.
So she got a formal education to become a trainer and studied at STOTT Pilates, one of the top Pilates institutes in the world. Upon her return, she started a small studio with eight clients. Today, she runs two studios in Gurgaon, and manages a team of 10 trainers. Breaking into an industry dominated by men is no easy feat, but Taru stands out because she’s created a niche. She caters to only women clients and customises workouts to fit their individual needs. Her success is a testament to her trailblazing spirit, and we are thrilled to include her in the #POPxoWomenWhoWin series. We caught up with Taru to talk about her journey and plans for the future. What follows is a lightly edited Q&A:
How do you begin your day?
I start my day with a glass of warm water with lemon and 20 minutes of meditation.
What does a typical workday look like for you?
My day starts at 6 am, and I’m at work for my first session by 7:30 am. I take a break around 1 pm and come home to spend time with my family. Then I’m back at the studio around 4, and try to wrap up by 6:30 pm. After that, it’s ‘me time’—I like to go for a walk, get a workout in, read a book. I’m an early dinner person, so I eat by 7:30 pm, and it’s lights out by around 10 pm.
How much does a fitness expert such as yourself workout?
I workout thrice a week and do a combination of pilates on the mat and reformer. Besides that, I like to stay active by going for walks at least thrice a week
How much has the fitness industry changed in the past two decades compared to when you started?
Today, newer platforms of teaching have emerged, and more and more people are approaching fitness as a holistic lifestyle change vs just something you do for a short period of time. Fitness today is more than just the physical and aesthetic gains one sees—the journey involves so much more than just losing weight! So much of that transformation happens in our minds. From a mindset change to your relationship with food, understanding nutrition, understanding what motivates you, learning how to be kind to yourself and listening to your body, to hours of reflection/introspection—all are deemed important to create healthy sustainable habits.
You work only with women clients. What made you take that decision?
When I started out around 2010, there were a lot of options for men, but there was nothing for women specifically. And we as women go through so many changes during our lives. But if you go to a gym, they don’t cater to different things that women need—they mostly cater to men. Squats and lunges and bicep curls are great, but how do you customise a workout plan for somebody who just had a baby three months ago? I wanted to fill that gap.
What would you say were the turning points in your career?
The first one would be seeing the business expand from one person to a team of 10 dedicated trainers. Then I was recognised as a teacher of aspiring pilates instructors in 2018. And in 2019, it was being appointed as the Pilates trainer for the cirque du soleil 2019.
Are there any professional skills or qualities that have helped you stay at the top?
I like to constantly learn about the advancement in knowledge about the human body & how that impacts our understanding of movement.
What has been your biggest accomplishment so far?
Every client success story is an accomplishment I cherish and celebrate.
A mantra that keeps you going?
One mantra I swear by is to always keep trying. And when nothing is working, try harder!
Any advice for people who are starting their fitness journey?
Break down your big goal (say losing 20kg) into smaller achievable goals ( lose 2 kg, walk 1km without losing breath). This keeps you motivated, and you are more likely to achieve the big goal. And don’t forget to celebrate every small achievement in your fitness journey!
Today, there are so many people who want to make it big as fitness professionals. What would be your advice to them?
Make time to invest in your education, be authentic & don’t follow the trends. There is always a market for a great coach.
And lastly, how do you unwind?
Music, meditation & going out for a meal with my family are my go-to ways to de-stress.
