Srushti Shah Is Inspiring New Generation Of Women In Callisthenics

With manoeuvres that challenge gravity and strength that commands attention, Srushti Shah embodies the artistry and power of callisthenics with boundless determination. The Mumbai-based athlete's journey from an engineer in the corporate world to a sought-after callisthenics coach by age 24 has been nothing short of extraordinary. She is the founder of an initiative called Calisthenics Girls India and an online coaching company Grip It, through which she is making fitness and sports more accessible and inclusive in India. 

In an interview with SheThePeople, Shah spoke about her journey in callisthenics and the pivotal moments that fueled her coaching career. She also talked about how women's experiences in the Indian street workout landscape inspired her to help them discover their strength and empower themselves.

Representing Tricolour On Global Stage

Srushti Shah's inclination to fitness started at a young age, participating in various sporting events in school-- from kho kho, track and field, to football. At age 11, she started mountaineering, seeking greater challenges in her athletic pursuits. Her love for bodyweight training then led her to callisthenics.

Shah, a computer engineering graduate from Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute, worked in corporate for about one-and-a-half years before finding her true calling in coaching. "The lockdown had been a boon for me, as I started coaching professionally and also my journey as a freestyle athlete," Shah recalled.

Shah founded Grip It, an online platform for bodyweight exercise coaching. She has represented India at many internationally coveted street workout and freestyle callisthenics events including Street Workout Ultimate Battles VI in Spain and the Calisthenics WSWCF World Championship in Latvia. 

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For Shah, callisthenics is not just about achieving fitness goals but also about financial independence and empowerment. Reflecting on her journey, she expressed, "I just went with the flow and took up all opportunities and challenges that came up to me and made a way out to where I am now." 

Founding Calisthenics Girls India

While Shah's journey has been transformative, she has witnessed little representation as a woman in the Indian fitness community. "There are not many women in callisthenics and very few opportunities currently. Competitions are held either with two to three girls or cancelled altogether," she described.

"Biologically, of course, the progress of a female is going to be much more different than a male. The coaches, spaces and athletes all are mainly males, which makes it more of a self-learning journey for us to achieve our goals," she noted. However, the spirited athlete is determined to change this narrative.

Shah expressed, "I started an initiative so that the girls coming forward don't have to face the same challenges." Calisthenics Girls India is a community that has hosted numerous lively events and fostered a supportive environment, where women from across the nation share experiences and inspire each other to push their limits. "We run meet-ups and competitions to promote Calisthenics amongst women and girls in India. We've seen a huge turnout for the same," she described.

Shah has been an indispensable figure in breaking barriers and challenging stereotypes in the Indian fitness landscape. As an advocate for inclusivity, her approach to fitness goes beyond traditional training, promoting community support, mental well-being, and personal empowerment.

"A woman's body is completely different and miraculous; it can do wonders if we train appropriately," Srushti Shah said. "Strength training becomes an important part of women's health because apart from the fitness perspective, the confidence that it builds, the strength within, is unmatchable!"