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Here health is wealth!

As Talwalkars comes to Delhi, Virendra Sherlekar speaks on what it takes to attain a good body

SHAPING THE BEAUTY Virendra Sherlekar helping out model Jesse Randhawa at the Talwalkar fitness centre in New Delhi

With health becoming a business, the road to attain a healthy body also goes through periodic renovations. Time was when Yoga was enough, then came the aerobics boom riding on the wave of globalisation. The latest craze is treadmills, climbers, computerised cycles, abdominal mats and physio balls. Recently Talwalkars, the fitness centre, a craze among celebrities in Mumbai, came to Delhi equipped with all this and more.

When the West is discovering different facets of Yoga, isn't it ironical we are going technical? Counters Virendra Sherlekar, Executive Director, Talwalkars who has been responsible for some of the greatest bodies we have around like Lara Dutta and Jesse Randhawa, "Yoga can't fulfil all the five requirements of exercise - strength, endurance, flexibility, cardiovascular strength and body fat percentage. It does help in attaining the flexibility and meditation part, but that's it." He adds the West has been attracted to Yoga only for these two aspects and they still go to aerobics or technical exercises for the rest. Sherlekar has been known for introducing aerobics particularly step aerobics in India. "It is not as big these days, but aerobics is still quite popular in Mumbai."

Stress release

While Jesse holds it's the personal touch that attracts her to the Talwalkars, Sherlekar maintains it's the awareness about full fitness and stress release that attracts people to the fitness centres. "People want instant fitness relief." That's why certain age-old rules about exercise have been rewritten. You don't need to start your push-ups empty stomach. You don't need to wake up before sun to jog on the treadmill. "Yes, it's perfectly safe to exercise in the evening for those who indulge in high stress work during the day time".

"Exercising on an empty stomach could bring the blood sugar level down suddenly, which could be dangerous. It is always advisable to have a sandwich or a glass of juice one hour before you start your work out."

Sherlekar, who also recommends diet plans, says regularity is must to attain a good body. "Both in terms of diet and the time you devote to your body. Even celebrities have to be punctual."

"Starving never helps. If one has to cut down on weight, he should avoid carbohydrates and go for recommended protein supplements. Also people tend to join fitness centres but are not regular. It takes three months for anybody to enjoy working out. After that it becomes a routine and body starts asking for it."

ANUJ KUMAR

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