Founder & MD of India‘s leading fitness chain NITRRO FITNESS
Greetings, Dear Prabodh Davkhare, Nitrro is regarded as India’s premier premium fitness destination. How did the idea for Nitrro come about?
Thank you for choosing me for this interview. Also hearty congratulations to your neighbourhood newspaper ‘The Voice of Malabar Hills for completing 10 years. Nitrro came about because of passion; our slogan says ‘driven by passion for fitness’. I always had this love for fitness. My mother put me into a traditional gymnasium (Vyamshala) at the age of 15, from then I developed liking for fitness training. Whenever I traveled abroad I would see their fitness centres with such good facilities and I would always feel that in India also we should have such fitness facilities. Fitness is my passion, and opportunity came my way, so I followed my passion and after few years founded Nitrro with my hard work and determination to build the greatest international quality fitness centres in India. It was destiny that I got into fitness industry. Actually I studied MBA in Hospitality Management from Switzerland and after coming back to India I started work jointly with a big real estate company. I come from a political family, my father Late Vasant Davkhare was the Deputy Chairman of Maharashtra Legislative Council and a prominent leader in Maharashtra politics. I can say my passion for fitness and my destiny got me into this industry.
From Politics & Real Estate to Fitness industry, how did this change happen?
In Thane, there was a fitness centre called Galaxy that was highly popular and had exceptional amenities and ambience. After a while, they wanted to close and their partners were seeking for potential buyers. I knew one of the partners, so the proposition came to me as well. I pondered about it for a while, and because I enjoyed exercise and the location was ideal, I decided to take over. Initially, I collaborated with World Gym, a global fitness brand whose brand representative was Arnold Schwarzenegger. Salman Khan inaugurated the fitness centre, which performed quite well. Then Sunil Shetty and Salman Khan inspired me to create my own brand. This pushed me to engage in hard work, which is how Nitrro began in 2012. My first premium fitness club opened in Thane East, conceived by Suniil Shetty and spanning 1 lakh square feet with an Olympic-sized swimming pool. It was inaugurated by Salman Khan. I’m grateful to both of them.
How did your Nitrro Breach Candy branch come about?
There was an American brand that existed where Nitrro Breach Candy is now located. They had various issues with the real estate owner. I was approached again to open a fitness club, which is how Nitrro Breach Candy began, my first branch in Mumbai after Thane. I worked extremely hard, and my aim was to establish an elite premium fitness club in South Mumbai. I made no compromises on the quality of the interiors and ambience, and the workout equipment I used was the best in the world, as used by Manchester Football Club and the American Military. I provided the highest quality available services, amenities, and fitness training. Shri Devendra Fadnavis, then Chief Minister of Maharashtra, inaugurated the branch.
How did Nitrro grow, we hear you now have several franchises?
Following the success of Nitrro in Thane and Breach Candy, I was called by a real estate developer from Pune who proposed establishing an exclusive premium branch of Nitrro there. That is how Nitrro Kalyani Nagar began, which spans 65,000 square feet and includes a swimming pool as well as the best of café, spa, physiotherapy, functional training, and a large club. People appreciated this concept, and I was approached about franchising. Nitrro is expanding; we currently have 20 franchises in Pune, Vashi, and Navi Mumbai. After that, I opened my Powai branch, which is another elite premium fitness club with Versace interiors. With Nitrro, we strive to build international-quality fitness centres that offer the best of everything. I applaud all of my franchisees for their significant investment in my brand and the trust they have placed in Nitrro; we all work hard to maintain the reputation we earned as the best premium centres in India, and we will continue to do so.
Why do you always say “Nitrro is not just a gym, it’s a way of life”.
Nitrro offers the best of everything, including international quality workout equipment, highest-ranking qualified trainers, and much more. We provide a variety of group activities, including kickboxing, yoga, ariel yoga, spinning, HIIT, functional training, MMA kickboxing, IV infusion, spa, ice bath, and hyperice therapy. With so many fitness activities offered in one location, as well as quality amenities and ambience, Nitrro becomes a social networking hub for people who have similar interests; it’s an experience, a lifestyle hence we chose the phrase it “Nitrro is not just a gym, it’s a way of life.”
Are you satisfied with your journey in the fitness industry?
Am I satisfied with my journey? Well, this is only the beginning; we have a long way to go. I launched another brand, ‘Zone 360’, for the masses; we have branches in Bandra, Vashi, and two in Pune. By 2024, we will have spread throughout India, particularly in the north. We plan to expand internationally very soon. In addition to fitness centres, we are expanding into health cafés, health food, supplements, fitness apparel, and other products.
I recently met Shri Anurag ji Thakur, the Sports & Youth Affairs Minister of India. On our request he was gracious to form a committee of fitness centre owners and key people of fitness industry to provide government support.
Thank you Mr Prabodh Davkhare for your time and efforts in giving this interview. On behalf of our Malabar Hill neighbourhood we wish you the very best and success in all your future endeavors!
