Aer

In a world where fitness is increasingly becoming part of everyday life, AER is creating a space that extends beyond exercise to bring movement, wellness and community together. Located in Dona Paula, overlooking the Zuari River, AER is a three-level movement and wellness space founded by Akshat Amonker. With facilities for racket sports, aerial arts and social gatherings, it offers an environment where people can pursue active lifestyles while building meaningful connections. At its core, AER is built around the idea that fitness is not just about physical activity but also about the people, experiences and sense of belonging that come with it.

The Vision Behind AER

The inspiration for AER came from Akshat's own experience with fitness and his observations after returning to Goa from Mumbai. Having developed a strong interest in fitness, he noticed a growing number of people embracing active lifestyles in Goa. His involvement in Hyrox training further highlighted the potential for a dedicated space where like-minded individuals could connect beyond their workouts. He recalls seeing groups of 50 to 60 people gathering in Bambolim for early-morning runs, which made him realise that while opportunities to exercise together existed, there were few places where people could continue interacting outside these activities.

This observation became the foundation for AER. The name, derived from aerobic, reflects the movement and exercise at the heart of the concept. However, the vision extends well beyond physical training. Akshat wanted to create a welcoming environment where people with shared interests could meet, socialise and develop a sense of belonging. Drawing from the discipline and camaraderie he experienced during his college years, he envisioned a space in Goa that would encourage people to build meaningful relationships through fitness, wellness and shared experiences.

A Three-Level Space for Movement and Connection

Spread across three levels, AER has been designed to accommodate different activities while encouraging interaction between visitors. Each floor serves a distinct purpose, creating an environment that brings together sport, movement and social engagement.

The lowest level houses the aerial arts studio and a multi-activity space designed to accommodate a growing range of movement-based disciplines. Alongside aerial arts, the area is intended to introduce activities such as calisthenics, contemporary dance and parkour. The middle level features padel and pickleball courts, providing dedicated facilities for racket sports. At the top is the café and social space, which plays a central role in the overall experience. It offers visitors a place to gather before and after their activities, spend time with fellow enthusiasts and form connections beyond the courts and studios.

The three levels are designed to complement one another, allowing visitors to move between physical activities and social experiences. Rather than functioning as separate facilities, they collectively support AER's larger vision of creating an integrated community space.

A Growing Range of Sports and Wellness Experiences

AER currently offers padel, pickleball and aerial arts as its primary activities, catering to different interests and levels of physical engagement. Complementing these is Off Court Advantage, a strength and conditioning programme developed specifically for racket sports. The class focuses on physical preparation that supports performance on the court, extending the fitness experience beyond the games themselves.

The range of activities is expected to expand as AER develops. Planned additions include Pilates, Krav Maga, calisthenics, contemporary dance and parkour, alongside a broader selection of wellness and recovery experiences. These additions reflect the intention to create a space that accommodates different approaches to movement rather than focusing on a single sport or fitness discipline.

The café is another important part of the experience, providing a setting for visitors to unwind and socialise. Together, the sports facilities, studios and café establish a foundation for a space that brings physical activity and social interaction into the same environment.

Building a Community Beyond Fitness

For Akshat, community is central to AER's identity. He envisions it as a third space, somewhere people can visit beyond their homes and workplaces, not necessarily to participate in an activity but simply to connect with others. In an increasingly busy lifestyle, he recognises the value of having a place where people can develop friendships and share common interests without the need for a formal introduction or specific occasion.

The community AER aims to build is centred on individuals who value fitness, wellness and purposeful living. However, the environment is intended to remain warm and inclusive rather than competitive or exclusive. Whether someone visits to play padel, attend an aerial arts class or spend time at the café, the aim is to make them feel welcome. Akshat believes that the relationships formed around sport often become just as meaningful as the activities themselves.

This approach also informs the space's future direction. While movement remains its foundation, AER intends to explore cultural and artistic programming, recognising that shared interests extend beyond fitness. By bringing together people with varied passions, the space hopes to encourage a wider sense of community.

From Diverse Professional Experiences to Entrepreneurship

Akshat's journey towards establishing AER has been shaped by a variety of professional experiences. A graduate in BBA Finance from NMIMS, he explored several fields, including music production, equity research and property consultancy at Knight Frank India, before joining his family's real estate business. Although these experiences were different from the wellness industry, each contributed to the practical and strategic understanding required to establish AER.

His exposure to equity research taught him to examine business ideas critically and assess their financial viability before committing to them. His experience in property consultancy helped him understand spatial planning, building regulations and the practical considerations involved in developing a property. Working in the family real estate business further familiarised him with construction and project execution. These skills proved particularly useful while planning AER's layout, working with architects and managing the development process.

The transition from these professional roles to establishing a movement and wellness space also required a willingness to adapt. The construction phase presented several unexpected challenges, particularly because the property is situated on a slope. Certain design ideas that initially appeared feasible had to be reconsidered because of technical limitations or costs. Coordinating multiple contractors and specialists added another layer of complexity, while external circumstances, including an election, an LPG shortage and labour shortages, delayed the original launch schedule.

These experiences taught Akshat the importance of flexibility, realistic planning and effective coordination. He also recognised the value of building dependable relationships with the people involved in a project. For him, the process reinforced the importance of adapting ideas to practical realities while remaining committed to the larger vision.

Fitness as a Foundation for Personal Growth

Fitness has been a significant part of Akshat's life since 2022, when he began boxing, alongside Muay Thai and kickboxing. After returning to Goa, he developed an interest in running and Hyrox training, eventually completing Hyrox Bangalore in April 2026. These experiences have shaped his understanding of physical discipline and influenced the philosophy behind AER.

For Akshat, fitness extends beyond physical strength or athletic performance. It has taught him consistency, discipline and the importance of making small, sustained efforts towards long-term goals. He views it as a foundation that influences other aspects of life, encouraging a greater awareness of health and longevity. His personal experience with different forms of training has also informed his approach to AER, where movement is intended to be accessible through a variety of activities.

Outside his entrepreneurial pursuits, Akshat is also a musician. A vocalist who plays the piano and guitar, he writes and produces his own music under the artist name Kash. With music continuing to be an important creative outlet, he balances his interests in fitness, entrepreneurship and artistic expression. These varied pursuits reflect his broader interest in exploring disciplines that encourage creativity, consistency and personal growth.

Looking Ahead: Expanding the AER Experience

AER's long-term vision extends beyond its current facilities in Dona Paula. Akshat hopes to develop the concept into a wider fitness and wellness brand with a presence across India. The immediate focus is on expanding the range of activities, strengthening the recovery and wellness offerings, and introducing cultural programming and community events. Over time, the vision also includes exploring apparel and wellness tourism, creating opportunities for AER to extend its identity beyond the physical space.

Unlike brands that begin with a product and later establish physical locations, AER has taken a space-first approach, placing community at the centre of its development. This allows the brand to grow around the experiences and relationships it fosters rather than being defined by a single product or activity. Its philosophy centres on movement, connection and recovery, offering a broader interpretation of what a fitness and wellness brand can represent.

As AER continues to evolve, its central idea remains unchanged: creating an environment where people can find their community while pursuing healthier, more active lifestyles. For Akshat, the sports and facilities are only the beginning. The larger ambition is to build a welcoming space where people can meet, connect and return not only for the activities but also for the relationships they form along the way.