Move over siesta, Goa’s fast learning the importance of sweating on a treadmill. Goans have generally been known to love their afternoon nap, also known as the siesta in Portuguese. In figurative speech, siesta is that drugged stupor which envelopes you after a moderate filling of rice and a few dollops of fish curry, made even more palatable along with a small measure of feni or beer. But things are a changing now, what with the number of well equipped gyms and fitness centres sprouting all over Goa. And its not just grade one towns we are talking here. The fitness mantra has caught on even in semi-rural areas and the coast, which was historically known particularly for its compulsive bohemian lifestyle.

Basilio’s Fitness Centre located in St Inez, is perhaps the biggest fitness brand in the capital Panaji. Located around 15 minutes from the Panaji bus stand, Basilio’s looks after almost every fitness need one can think of. Specially recruited fitness trainers look after fitness related aspects including weight control, specific muscle toning, etc.

Another option you could try out in Panaji is Planet Fitness, which is located near the Casa Immaculate building in Panaji, right next to Progress High School.

Across the river Mandovi in the satellite township of Porvorim, is yet another super fitness facility Good Life, which is known for its cardio-related fitness orientation. Good Life is a unisex fitness centre, which is equipped with a steam bath facility for those who have a weakness for sauna.

A few kilometers north of Porvorim near Mapusa, is Cuts n Curves , an ultra modern air conditioned gym facility. The range of facilities offered by Cuts n Curves ranges from steam baths and even a dietician to prescribe a case-specific food regimen. Another well equipped gymnasium you could try out in Mapusa is Health Craft, which is located smack in the middle of town’s Main Street, above Canara Bank.

If you live in and around Mapusa, there’s another fitness centre, where you can go to add some cuts to your muscles. Full-Fit Health Café is located near the picturesque Siolim church in a building complex called Evergreen Apartments. The health café's claim to fame, is that their fitness equipment is specially manufactured by world renowned fitness brand.

Over in the southern part of Goa, Margao has a concentration fitness hubs and topping them all is the Maxsan Fitness Hub, which is a part of a leading chain of holistic fitness outlets. Located along the St Joaquim road in Borda, Margao, Maxsan is not only an excellent place to get yourself into fighting fit shape, but also to enrol in fitness training courses for those are aspiring to become gym instructors. Maxsan also offers packages and courses specifically catering to corporate clients.

Other than the fitness centres, which are isolated ventures or parts of a nationwide chain of enterprises, every five star resort in Goa has a world-class fitness centre of its own in their facility. Most of these fitness centres are equipped with attached saunas and massage centres, so that you could steam the worries facing you away. The fitness centres also have membership clubs, which can be availed of by non-guests on payment of a fee.