Tips, ideas and equipment for a modern home gym that's low on space, high on impact

Remember that ‘Da Da Ding’ ad by Nike? The one that was insanely popular, got stuck in your head and inspired even the laziest among us into wanting to get fit. Well, that’s what one of the pro athletes in the ad wants for us as well. Jyoti Ann Burrett is a professional footballer who is a personal trainer when she’s not on the field. “Working out is something I really enjoy, and my body craves it. I took up personal training because I want to infuse this enthusiasm into people who aren’t athletes,” she says.

With a Masters in Sports Science and a Diploma certification course in personal training, Jyoti started working with Sumaya Dalmia in 2013, one of New Delhi’s leading wellness professionals. Together, they also set up the gym at Ananda in the Himalayas, Uttarakhand. Jyoti is also a trainer with the Nike Training Club as well as being a Nike Ambassador for football. Plus, she has a personal gym space set up in her apartment in New Delhi and knows how to work with both big and small spaces.

Now, some of us just can’t fit going to the gym into our manic schedules. Others don’t like to exercise in a public space or just prefer the convenience of working out at home. If you’ve got just a little space to spare, you can craft your very own gym with Jyoti’s recommendations of a high impact exercise routine. “The theory we follow is based on the body’s basic movements and those muscles groups that are utilised,” she explains. “You use your chest and triceps to push, back and biceps to pull, and legs and hips to sit and stand. This is what we focus on besides strengthening your core.”