Anuraag Bhetwal: Building Strength, One Movement at a Time

Peoples
Life Style
The Buzz Nepal
July 11 , 2025

From chasing aesthetics to creating a fitness community that inspires action.

Meet Anuraag Bhetwal – a fitness coach, co-founder of Meltdown, and a HYROX athlete competing in an international fitness race. But beyond the titles and accomplishments, Anuraag’s story is one of transformation – from personal pursuit to purposeful impact.

How It All Began

Anuraag’s journey into fitness began just like many others: with the desire to “get jacked” and maybe turn a few heads. But what started as a surface-level motivation soon evolved into something much deeper. “Eventually, you realise girls don’t really care about your muscles,” he jokes. “Over time, fitness became something much bigger for me – it turned into purpose, discipline, and impact.”

Breaking the Myths Around Fitness

With years of coaching under his belt, Anuraag has come across countless misconceptions that continue to hold people back.

• “Strength training makes women bulky” is a myth he’s determined to bust. In fact, he emphasises how important strength training is for women to maintain bone and muscle health, especially as they age.

Women are more prone to osteoporosis (low bone mass) and sarcopenia (loss of muscle) as they age. So, strength training is crucial, not optional.

• Another common misunderstanding? “Fat can turn into muscle.” It can’t – fat and muscle are completely different tissues. While it’s possible to lose fat and gain muscle at the same time (body recomposition), one doesn’t magically transform into the other.

• Lastly, the belief that you need to train every single day to stay fit is unfounded.

“According to the WHO, an average person just needs 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week. That’s three sessions of 50 minutes – totally manageable.”

The Vision Behind Meltdown Nepal

What began as a small group of friends training together grew into one of Nepal’s most dynamic fitness movements. Meltdown now engages over 200 people in weekly Wednesday runs, offers group classes across various gyms, and has even developed a fitness app for corporate professionals to support healthier, more active lifestyles.

“Our goal was simple: invite others to move with us,” Anuraag says. That simplicity has been key to building a strong, consistent community.

Discipline, Habits, and Real Change

When working with clients who struggle with motivation or consistency, Anuraag focuses on building habits – not enforcing strict routines.

“Discipline and consistency aren’t just buzzwords, they are built through habits. From the food you eat to the clothes you wear, it all becomes part of your identity. Instead of pushing for dramatic changes, we start small. Maybe it’s replacing late-night Cheetos with a healthier snack. Over time, we build from there. It’s all about baby steps one change at a time.”

The Social Media Dilemma

Anuraag doesn’t shy away from pointing out the toxic side of online fitness culture. “Let’s be real: most of what you see on social media is under perfect lighting and edited to look better,” he says. But instead of chasing those unattainable aesthetics, he encourages people to strive for personal strength, health, and functionality.

“When you focus on becoming the strongest version of yourself, the physical changes come as a by-product.”
Anuraag Bhetwal

Navigating the Sea of Information

Fitness content is everywhere – but that can be a problem, too. “People today suffer from paralysis by analysis,” Anuraag observes. “There’s so much conflicting advice that it becomes overwhelming.” That’s where certified coaches come in – to provide clarity, structure, and guidance based on evidence and real-world experience.

Success Beyond Self

For Anuraag, success is now defined by impact. “We believe in a world where everyone moves,” he says. “It’s not just about personal milestones – it’s about how many lives we can change through movement and community.”

From humble beginnings to leading a movement, Anuraag Bhetwal continues to redefine what fitness means in Nepal – not as an individual pursuit, but as a collective journey towards better living.