This turbaned woman does not need metal for workout motiva tion in the gym. Instead she plays shabads (Sikh hymns) to pump the iron. Gurpreet Kaur, a 21-yearold UK Sikh, is popularly known as Fitness Kaur on the social media (Facebook, Instagram). When she works out, she does not need the chaotic amplified sounds of […]

This turbaned woman does not need metal for workout motiva tion in the gym. Instead she plays shabads (Sikh hymns) to pump the iron. Gurpreet Kaur, a 21-yearold UK Sikh, is popularly known as Fitness Kaur on the social media (Facebook, Instagram). When she works out, she does not need the chaotic amplified sounds of guitar and drum beats to get her going. It’s the soothing strains of `shabads’ that inspires her to stretch herself more, physically and spiritually.

Kaur, born to an English mother and Punjabi father, has a prominent connection with Punjab. Her father and her paternal family hail from Punjab. She not only ties a turban but also practices Calisthenics, yoga, and swears by weight training. She is a participant in the Ninja Warrior’s course, considered TV’s toughest obstacle course.
But why did she become so fitnessfocused 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 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.”