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Titivate `n' tighten

The new-found blend of `fitness-n-beauty' is no longer a woman's preserve, discovers P. SUJATHA VARMA

FACE-OFF If being in shape is the in thing, facials are essential part of men's schedule Photos: Raju. V.

Glancing in the mirror while standing next to a friend who flaunts his killer looks can be a horrifying experience. You frown at your cracked lips, chipped nails and the dark rings that shadow your eyes. Your hair hangs in a limp adding to your sagging morale.

At home, matters become worse as you suffer from aches and pains. You crash into bed dreading the arrival of tomorrow. Does the problem sound familiar? Quite possible, because this is the story an increasing number of people are beginning to identify with. One needs an equal amount of energy and enthusiasm to work, after all.

The need for beauty and health in equal dosage is increasingly being felt by the elite and the middle stratum of society alike.

The booming beauty industry is indicative of how aware people are about the latest findings in the world of fitness and beauty.

Fire that fat

"When I get time, I go to the gym and work out on my abs and do a bit of cardio. I also avoid eating snacks between meals and try staying in control," says Ashrita, a college girl shattering the general belief that only guys need to visit a gym.

Nagaraju does not bother even if he puts on an extra kilo. He knows exactly what he should do and works on it sensibly. Some people manage perfect waistlines and slim figures while others struggle with bulges and fatty tissue. "A comprehensive cardio routine can strengthen your heart and shed some extra body fat," says Ganesh, an instructor in Ice, the health and fitness lounge that has come up on Bandar Road.

Opened by pop singer Smita, Ice has a twin section Bubbles, a truly international class salon for men and women.

By extending the extraordinary facilities of a state-of-the-art gym and beauty parlour under the same roof to people of Vijayawada, Smita has fulfilled her long-cherished desire to introduce the locals to the world-class facilities available.

"I've always felt the need for a place where one can work out to his heart's content and then head for a refreshing session of grooming oneself to perfection. After a long wait, I thought it best to make the beginning myself," says the singer.

"One should not stop eating and then go on a binge. Any weight loss achieved in this manner will only be temporary. Eat only when you are hungry, not just out of habit or because food is available," says Sunitha, the lady fitness instructor at the lounge. A team of 16 Hyderabad-trained youngsters awaits visitors on the premises to drive their point home that when it comes to following one's dream, age is never an issue.

Second home

"Most people confuse getting toned with losing weight. What they fail to realise is that toning merely involves trimming the body of a few extra inches," maintains Smita's mother Jogu Prasad who is busy setting things in place before the commercial launch.

Unlike the category, which has initiated into a rigorous exercise to lose weight, those who are slightly higher on the fitness ladder, aim to lose inches and fat rather than just shedding the excess kilos, she says.

"I wasn't plump or fat, but was little bigger in size and I wanted to look leaner. So I work out thrice a week and stick to the predetermined diet. I got off junk food and switched to home-cooked stuff. It makes a huge difference," says Abhinav, who instantly opted for a membership in Ice when he learnt about it through word of mouth. Ice and Bubbles is the latest addition in the mushrooming gyms in the city like the fitness center at Hotel D.V. Manor, Bodyline, adjacent to Hotel Fortune Murali Park and many more.

If girls can make a gym their second home, why should guys shy away from salons which offer them, besides hair-cutting, hair spa treatment, foam shave and head sauna, new facilities like facials, bleaching, massages, manicure and pedicure or even slight make-up.

"Eager to turn back the clock with exercise, diet, health, beauty and a positive outlook, a vast chunk of people is focused on feeling good about their appearance and staying healthy," points out P. Srinivas Rao of Manjeera, popularly known as Manjira Srinu.

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