Though she didn’t have the funds to start her own fitness club, Gita Sjahrir certainly had the vision and temerity—in spades—to bring it to fruition. In 2015, she opened her first indoor cycling studio called Ride Jakarta. In a bid to expand, she initially raised US$50,000 from venture-capital companies in 2018. Sjahrir raised an even bigger fund the following year of US$1.25 million, indicating strong investor confidence.

Since then, Ride Jakarta has rebranded to R Fitness, with more studios and an expanded programme menu that now includes cardio routines, yoga and meditation, apart from its signature rhythm-based indoor cycling classes.

Other fitness studios may have the same equipment and exercise programmes, but few share Sjahrir’s radical philosophy. She envisions an inclusive club that’s not as focused on the usual goals—washboard abs, being buffed or ripped—as it is on fitness’ positive impact on one’s wellbeing.