There’s something about the way the Indian fitness space is evolving. Ten years ago, walking into a gym meant facing either outdated equipment or flashy imports well beyond reach for most people. Today, that gap is shrinking—and companies like us, are quietly leading the change.
It didn’t start as a grand plan. In fact, like most meaningful ventures, Into Wellness began with a simple question: why doesn’t India have high-quality, mid-priced fitness equipment of its own?
A Question Turns into a Company
The story goes back to 2013–14. Ritesh Mahindrakar, a mechanical engineer with stints in South Korea, Canada, and China, was working across global supply chains and manufacturing systems. He noticed something strange when he compared those countries to India. The fitness industry abroad was filled with reliable, well-designed equipment that didn’t cost a fortune. But in India? There was the ultra-expensive stuff—often imported—and then there were local products that didn’t really last.
That mismatch didn’t sit well. Ritesh returned to India with a vision: not to just start another equipment company, but to build a serious manufacturing ecosystem right here at home. One that was technically strong, cost-conscious, and rooted in real user needs.
By 2016, Into Wellness was born.
Built on Engineering, Not Just Optimism
Ritesh isn’t your typical founder chasing headlines. His background is steeped in precision—Six Sigma Black Belt, PMP certified, with real-world experience in production planning, process improvement, and international business. This comes through in how the company operates.
From the start, the focus wasn’t just on making machines—it was on making them well. The team worked closely with Realleader USA, a respected global brand, to bring proven designs to India. But instead of importing them, they built them here. Every step of the process—laser cutting, powder coating, assembly—happens at their Pune facility.
So when you buy Into Wellness equipment, you’re not just getting something made in India—you’re getting globally tested design, locally executed.
What Sets Them Apart
Into Wellness doesn’t shout. They don’t rely on gimmicks. But the things they do focus on are exactly what gym owners care about:
- Custom-built equipment, tailored to your gym’s brand—right down to stitching and color.
- Nationwide network—over 40 cities covered, meaning better after-sales service.
- Shorter lead times, thanks to domestic manufacturing.
- And something often missing: genuine consultative support. Their team helps you choose what you actually need—no upselling, no fluff.
The small things add up. And over time, those small things build trust.
Surviving the Rough Patches
No business has it easy, especially not one trying to build something from scratch. Into Wellness has had its fair share of hard moments. Demonetization, GST implementation, the COVID-19 lockdowns—each brought its own kind of challenge.
But instead of pausing, they used those periods to sharpen operations, rethink sourcing, and invest more in in-house capabilities. Today, around 95% of their components are made locally. That’s a massive shift from where they began.
They didn’t just survive the chaos—they emerged from it leaner and more capable.
Lessons for New Entrepreneurs
In his interviews, Ritesh is honest. He doesn’t glamorize the grind. His advice to people looking to enter the fitness business—or any business, really—is straightforward:
- Don’t skip research. Know your location, your audience, your competition.
- Surround yourself with good people. Build a team you can rely on.
- Keep your finances tight. Budget not just for what you expect, but for the surprises that will come.
- And most of all, be brave. The early days won’t be easy, but clarity of purpose matters more than perfect plans.
This is the kind of advice that only comes from someone who’s lived it.
Looking Forward: Bigger Vision, Better Tech
The future for Into Wellness isn’t just about more machines. It’s about making fitness smarter, more accessible, and more informed.
Here’s what’s on their radar:
- Expanding into regions like Southeast Asia and the Middle East
- Developing connected fitness solutions that blend software and hardware
- Implementing Industry 4.0 practices across manufacturing
- Creating educational content to support gym owners and users
- Collaborating with institutes to spread fitness awareness at scale
They’re building more than products. They’re building infrastructure for a healthier India.
A Powerful New Collaboration
In a move that’s part brand, part biomechanics, Into Wellness recently teamed up with Sunit Jadhav, one of India’s most respected names in bodybuilding. But this isn’t a typical brand ambassador setup.
Sunit is deeply involved in product development—helping the team design machines that don’t just look good, but actually work with the body, minimizing injury and improving performance.
It’s a partnership rooted in shared values—form, function, and fitness done right.
The Personal Philosophy Behind the Brand
When you talk to Ritesh, you realize his vision for fitness goes beyond weights and reps. For him, it’s about balance. His personal routine includes meditation, bodyweight training, reading, and constant learning. That philosophy—mind and body in sync—filters into the way Into Wellness operates.
The brand isn’t chasing trends. It’s laying groundwork for something that lasts.
Final Thought
Into Wellness didn’t set out to be loud. But in a noisy market, their quiet focus on quality, precision, and trust is speaking volumes.
They’re not just shaping machines—they’re shaping the way India moves.
