This week, Emirates Woman speaks to Pallavi Melwani, a certified lagree Fitness instructor.
Welcome to the Emirates Woman weekly series ‘How I got my job as…’ where we speak to some incredible entrepreneurs and businesswomen, both based in the UAE and globally, to find out about their career paths that led them to where they are now, what their daily routines look like, the advice they’d give to those starting out, and the hurdles they’ve had to overcome. As we talk with Lyla, she discusses how her journey into jewellery began not in a design studio, but through a background in logistics—and how a lifelong love for creativity, the night sky, and feminine design led her to build a brand defined by strong shapes, celestial details, and a distinctive identity.
As we talk with Pallavi Melwani, she takes us through her routine of balancing her career in PR as well as being a certified Lagree instructor. Both she says come down to people, whether that’s building relationships in the fashion industry or helping people feel stronger in a 50-minute class.
Here, Pallavi opens up about her disciplined morning routine, what first drew her to the lagree method, the sacrifices that come with pursuing a passion alongside a full-time career, and the advice she’d give anyone hoping to do the same.
What’s your educational background?
I studied Business Management at the University of Nottingham.
What was your favourite subject at school?
Art and PE. I’ve always loved having an outlet where I can express myself, whether creatively or physically. Art gave me the freedom to be imaginative and explore different ideas, while PE was where I felt most energised and connected to myself through movement. Even now, those two things are still such a big part of who I am.
What was your first job?
My first job was as an editorial intern, and it really opened my eyes to the power of media and storytelling. I loved being able to write about fashion, trends and celebrities, and there was something so exciting about seeing an idea turn into a story that people would actually read.
What does your day-to-day look like, balancing your work in PR with instructing Lagree?
No two days look exactly the same, but my mornings are the one constant. They’re really my time for myself, and I’m quite protective of that routine. I usually wake up at 6am and start the day with a guided meditation, then by 7am I’m either at the gym or taking a Lagree class.
From there, I head into work, usually from 9 to 6. Working in PR is very dynamic, so not every day is spent in the office; there are events and meetings, and luckily days where I can work from home too. On certain evenings I’ll teach Lagree after work, and I also teach on weekends, so teaching is very much woven into my week rather than feeling like a completely separate part of my life.
My evenings are much slower. I love having a home-cooked dinner with my husband, followed by a short walk where we can catch up and unwind after the day. Otherwise, we’ll watch one of our favourite shows at home. I’m usually asleep by 10pm, because with early mornings and a full schedule, sleep is definitely a priority for me.
What first sparked your passion for fitness and movement?
I’ve always been very active, especially growing up in Spain, where we spent most our time playing outdoor sports. However, I think COVID was when I truly realised how important movement is for me mentally, not just physically. Even something as simple as going for a walk outside could completely shift my mood, clear my head and make me feel more like myself.
Movement has become such a non-negotiable part of my day. I struggle to go a day without doing something, whether that is strength training, going for a run, attending a lagree class or simply getting outside for a walk. It’s become less about exercise for me and more about how movement makes me feel: stronger, clearer and more grounded.
What drew you specifically to Lagree, and what made you want to get certified as an instructor?
What drew me to Lagree was how effective it felt in such a short amount of time. In one 50-minute class, you’re elevating your heart rate, building muscular endurance and working your core in a way I had never experienced before. I still remember my first class, my core was sore for three days! I had done so many ab exercises at the gym, but nothing activated those deeper muscles in the same way.
I fell in love with the method because of how strong and connected to my body it made me feel. I wanted other people to experience that same feeling, which is ultimately what pushed me to get certified. Being able to teach something I believe in, and potentially make a positive difference in someone’s life, feels like such a gift.
Talk us through your Lagree certification process. What did it involve?
The certification process was really immersive. I was trained by a Senior Master Trainer from LA who has spent over 10 years studying and teaching the Lagree method. We started with anatomy and understanding how the body moves, before learning the different exercises, practising with one another and giving each other feedback. With Lagree, though, the learning never really stops. You learn so much simply by continuing to take classes, observing different instructors and staying up to date with new exercises and developments within the method. I truly believe you should always remain a student. And in many ways, the real work begins after the certification. It is about practising your cueing, building and testing routines, creating playlists that set the right energy, and gradually developing your own teaching style and confidence.
What keeps you motivated to stay committed to your passion alongside a full-time career?
Lagree honestly feels like an escape for me. When I’m at the studio, I completely switch off from everything else. What keeps me motivated is the connection with people, which is something I love about both of my jobs. With Lagree, it’s helping someone get stronger. Knowing that I can add something positive to someone’s day or life makes it feel like so much more than a job. In PR, working at a luxury fashion agency allows me to combine my love of fashion with building relationships. They’re two very different worlds, but both are centred around people.
What are the key elements of teaching a great Lagree class?
For me, a great Lagree class starts with a strong, well-planned routine. The exercises should flow seamlessly from one to the next, with minimal transition time. Music is also a huge part of the experience. The right playlist creates the energy in the room and can really motivate people to hold a move for those extra few seconds when it starts to burn! Clear cueing is equally important, people need to understand exactly what they’re doing and how to do it safely and effectively. I also love demonstrating exercises, especially for beginners, as so many of us learn visually.
Lastly, and probably most importantly for me, is positive encouragement. Of course, correcting form is essential, but people also need to hear when they’re doing something right. Whether it’s their tempo, form or range of motion, I love giving someone a shout-out. People want to feel seen and creating an environment where they feel good about themselves is such an important part of teaching.
How do you balance the discipline required for both PR and fitness instructing?
I think discipline is really about consistency. There are definitely days when I’m exhausted or don’t feel like doing everything I’ve planned, I’m only human after all. But I’ve built routines that help me stay grounded and make both parts of my life manageable. I try to be very intentional with my time and energy. I plan ahead, prioritise what needs my attention, and also recognise when I need to rest. For me, balance isn’t about doing everything perfectly every day, it’s about staying committed over time while still listening to yourself.
What advice do you have for anyone looking to follow in the same footsteps, whether that’s getting certified or pursuing a passion alongside their career?
Give your passion real time and energy before feeling like you have to make it your full-time career. Use the hours before or after work, and your weekends, to learn, practise and build something alongside the stability of your existing job. I think sometimes people feel that following a passion has to mean immediately leaving everything else behind. While taking that leap can be incredibly brave, putting too much pressure on something you love can also take away some of the joy that drew you to it in the first place. And if you’ve spent years building a career, walking away from it overnight can feel like you’re letting go of a big part of your identity.
For me, doing both has allowed me to enjoy Lagree without that pressure, while still growing and challenging myself in another area of my life. Of course, it requires sacrifice: fewer social plans, earlier mornings and giving up some free time, but if something really matters to you, you find a way to make space for it.
What do you think makes Lagree different from other forms of fitness?
The real difference is how much you get out of just one 50-minute class. You’re building strength and muscular endurance while keeping your heart rate elevated throughout. The slow, controlled movements are what make Lagree so challenging, the slower you move, the harder your muscles have to work.
You also spend a significant amount of time under tension, which is where that famous Lagree shake comes from. It really targets your slow-twitch muscle fibres, which are heavily used in endurance activities like long-distance running, swimming and cycling. Being able to challenge those fibres so effectively within a 50-minute workout is pretty incredible.
What is the best piece of advice you ever received?
Discover what you love and find a way to get paid for it.
And what is the worst?
“Say yes to everything.” I think learning to say no is so important; protecting your time and energy matters.
What has been the biggest challenge you had to overcome?
I’m incredibly grateful for everything I have, so I wouldn’t say I’ve faced challenges that compare to what many others go through. But if I had to choose one, it would be stepping into a completely new industry. I’ve worked in luxury PR for over seven years, so moving into fitness and Lagree has meant starting from scratch in many ways. There is still so much for me to learn, but that is also what makes it so exciting. I really enjoy being pushed outside of my comfort zone and continuing to grow in a completely different space.
What are your goals for the future?
To keep levelling up in both areas of my life. Professionally, I want to continue pushing myself, taking on new challenges and seeing where my PR career can grow. With Lagree, I want to keep learning, refining my teaching style and become the best instructor I can be.
– For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
Images: Supplied
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: emirateswoman.com
