This story starts from Chandigarh, This turbaned woman named Gurpreet Kaur does not need metal for the workout. Instead, she plays shabads (Sikh hymns) to pump the iron. She at the age of 21-year a UK Sikh, is also known as Fitness Kaur on the social media.
When she works out, she does not need any music or sound of guitar and drum beats to motivate her. It’s the soothing strains of `shabads’ that inspire her to stretch herself more.
She is born to an English mother and Punjabi father. She not only ties a turban but also practices Calisthenics, yoga, and swears by weight training.
She explains this:
“I used to eat big packets of chocolate during break and lunch at school. I was a born premature and everybody used to mollycoddle me by saying you won’t be able to do this or that. Even at school when someone would stop me from doing something, I had the urge to prove them wrong. I was already into fitness at a smaller level in school. Three years ago, just before I was about to go to university , I decided to stop eating so much junk.”
She is a participant in the Ninja Warrior’s course, considered TV’s toughest obstacle course.
But why did she become so fitness focused at the age of 17? Was it the outcome of a failed self-defense move or did she want to be a professional body trainer?
She began the journey three years ago, through her Instagram account by the name Fitness Kaur, says the change in fitness regime changes her lifestyle as well as her beliefs. She also states “When I first started I used to weight train but it got repetitive and boring. I moved to Calisthenics and I loved it! It also helped improve my diet. While training I would start reciting a shabad and also have one playing in the background.”
Gurpreet who likes visiting India a lot. Also briefs “In April last year, I went to India and paid obeisance at the Harmandir Sahib. During the Amrit Sanchar(baptism ceremony) I just wrote my name down. It was one of the greatest moments of my life. From then on, the fitness routine has affected my mind, body and soul. It has made me strong and confident. There was a time when I had lost all my confidence because of people putting me down and poking fun at me.”
Kaur is now off for the week to a spiritual Sikhi camp, where she will be completely disconnected from technology to make her connection stronger with God.