Taasha

The archaic entrance to The Country Club, clubbed by the presence of as many guards as the vehicles occupying the parking lots, might be quite daunting. But once you are able to manouver your way down the winding path across the busy lawns, a splashy swimming pool and a horde of courteous waiters, and locate the Taasha fitness center, you have arrived. At least to Taasha.

The fitness center is enclosed in a greenhouse dome, housing some innovative architectural attempts and not quite passing the bid. The staircases are many and varied, directing you one way to the gym, another to the table tennis room, and another still to the squash court. The actual gym area is further downward, and is full of eager bodies and sleek machines.

Taasha's Strength And Fitness Section has a 12-station multiple machine, a rowing machine, a squats machine, several bench presses, and weights in numerous denominations. The cardio area is replete with steppers, tread-mills and cycles.

Other peripheral facilities within the club's health and fitness domain that you can avail yourself of include the use of the sauna and the steam room. You can also invigorate yourself in the Jacuzzi. And if you want to experience relaxation in a single afternoon that most people don't experience in a month, you can put yourself under a professional masseur's hand to mobilize the body's hidden resources. In addition to this, you can also practice yoga or do aerobics under the guidance of expert trainers.

The bad news is that Taasha is out of bounds for non-members. But the proprietors are not above twisting a few rules if you are an NRI, a foreigner, or generally soaking in cash.

The following timings, and prices are adhered to (the gym, massage, squash and table tennis do not have extra charges):

Yoga
Rs. 350 per month
General: 6.15am-7.00am

Aerobics
Rs. 450 per month
General: 7.15am-8.15am
Ladies only: 10.00am-11.00am

Tennis
Rs. 500 per month
Regulars: 6.00am-8.30am
Beginners: 4.00pm-6.00pm
Seniors: 6.00pm-8.00pm

Swimming
Rs. 1,500 per month
General: 6.00am-8.30am and 4.00pm-8.00pm
Ladies: 10.00am-11.00am

Massage
Morning: 7.00am-9.15am, 3 slots of 45 minutes each
Evening: 4.00pm-6.15pm, 3 slots of 45 minutes each
Ladies: 10.00am-12.00pm, 3 slots

Squash
General: 6.00am-10.00am and 4.00pm-8.00pm
With Coach: 3.30pm-5.00pm

Table Tennis
General: 6.00am-1.00pm and 4.00pm-8.00pm

Gym
General: 6.00am-10.00am and 4.00pm-8.00pm
Ladies: 10.00am-12.00pm