Everybody wants to get on a fitness regime to get size zero. But Mumbai-based celeb fitness trainer VINOD CHANNA, with over 15 years experience and having trained the likes of John Abraham, Shilpa Shetty, Riteish Deshmukh and Genelia D’Souza, tells SHAlINI SAKSENA that scientifically there is no such size and there can’t be a single programme for every individual
Why is it that workouts and going to the gym have become such a fadIJ
Today, everybody wants to look good. But the kind of lifestyle and food habits that we’ve have made it difficult to remain healthy and fit. To be healthy is the new mantra. People want to feel good about themselves and a visit to the gym three-four times a week helps them stay in shape.
What is the reason for the hullabaloo around size zeroIJ
First, there is no such size. Most people will tell you that 36-26-36 is the perfect size but if someone has a big body frame how will she achieve thisIJ Women need to understand that the perfect size is one that suits them. Why would anybody want to look like a stickIJ Indian clothes look best on curvy bodies and that is what women must go for. One should not pay attention to the size but the over all look.
Is there a particular regime that fits every individualIJ
People who want to shed those extra pounds need to understand that loosing weight permanently is a slow process. There are no short cuts. Also, every individual is different and so is the metabolism — one person may loose 5kg in a month another may only loose 2kg. Patience is a must. A combination of yoga, cardio, aerobics, muscle strengthening along with other exercises will help shed weight. One has to design a programme according to the lifestyle each person leads.
To begin with Bollywood heroes weren’t into workouts. But now it has changed. WhyIJ
Actors like late Shammi Kapoor and Kishore Kumar represented boys next door. In those days people weren’t conscious that they were fat. So they didn’t think much if the actor was on the heavy side. Today, people are aware of the importance of keeping fit.
What about dietIJ
I will not call it diet, it is correcting one’s eating habits. For a workout to show results one has to eat right. This doesn’t mean that one gives up on junk food or sugar, it means knowing when, how and in what quantity one should eat it. I don’t recommend that people who are on my fitness programme give up on pizzas etc. I tell them to understand when their body can take it without them putting on the fat.
Is there an age limitIJ
People who are in the 40s need to be on a fitness programme to remain healthy even when they are 80. One can start with muscle toning and then strengthening them and maintain it.
How is a workout for an actor differentIJ
An actor needs to have a certain look for his character in a movie. So, he/she may need to put on 10 kg and then later loose it because the next movie requires a lean look. Since there is time constraint, as a trainer, I need to put them through a very strict routine — the exercise and food control is a must. This is not there for my normal clients who just want to be fit.
Does this mean there is lot of work involved to put an actor on a regimeIJ
To put them on a programme, I need to think of what will work for them. I spend 16 hours in the gym looking for new innovative methods that can be used without straining or harming the body. Also, there are parties and food. A slight slip can put our efforts back many days. But my celeb clients are very cooperative when I put them through a workout. It also means that I am constantly in touch with them on what they are eating.
Who, according to you, has the perfect body in BollywoodIJ
I can’t pick one since there are many. But Hrithik Roshan, Farhan Akhtar and Priyanka Chopra are worth a mention.