Lean and Mean

When did you develop an interest in fitness?

Basically, I was into fitness ever since I was a kid. I was a national level swimmer and started competing at the age of five. And once I got to the 8th or 9th standard, I wanted to go to the gym. However, I was not allowed in the gym till I was 18. I started doing freehand training at home and watched movies like Rocky. I got myself a punching bag along with small dumbbells. In college, I took working out seriously and started going to the gym. Due to my genetics, my body started transforming rapidly. People would ask me about the kind of workout regimen I was following, and what kind of exercises I did for my biceps, chest and back. So in a way I was becoming an amateur trainer of sorts, back then.

Read FHM India in the digital libraryEvery issue, every shoot, on TCG Media.

How did you establish yourself in the world of fitness?

I moved to Australia for studies and that’s where fitness grew into a profession. I was in college and quit my studies to join the sales team of Fitness First. After 11 months, I decided to pursue a career as general manager for which I needed to learn general training aspects as well. I started training and knew within a week that it was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.

What do you think is wrong with fitness industry in India?

Nothing is majorly wrong as there are a lot of gyms with good equipment. Training regimens are quite good but one major difference is that in our times we did not have supplements like creatine and protein. We had the patience to build our bodies slowly. Today, people lack patience. On their first day of training, most people want to try creatine, protein and other supplements. There is no shortcut to patiently training for a long time for results.

What are some fitness myths that people widely believed in India?

There are too many. Back in 2009, when I started a crossfit bootcamp, I thought it would pass of as a fad but it stayed. Everyone is different and no two people can achieve results through the same training. For any program, you need at least 12 weeks to see the results on your body. Be it yoga, CrossFit or weight training. People don’t want to wait anymore and thus fall for fads, thinking they are the magic remedy.

You have trained quite a few celebrities. Any thoughts on your experiences?

Training celebrities has been a good experience as they are totally dedicated to their regimen. They do their research and preselect their trainer. Once they meet the trainer, they surrender themselves completely and allow them to create the right program. They don’t argue, are on time and are serious about their workout as it is their profession. These factors allow me to help them achieve the best results.

What was the idea behind CrossFit?

CrossFit was started in the US in 1999 by an ex gymnast. It’s a very simple and well thought out program. It combines different aspects of sports like gymnastics, weightlifting and track and field. The idea behind CrossFit is to challenge the body. The smallest workouts which take the least amount of time provide benefit for a long period, which is why CrossFit is so effective. When I came to India no one was doing muscle ups and handstand pushups. Cleans, snatches and other such movements were not too popular. Bringing CrossFit to India was challenging, but worked out well in the long run.

Some tips on being functionally fit?

Of late, there has been an increased interest in functional fitness and it is mentioned on numerous gym hoardings. In essence, functional fitness means performing a movement which you mimic from day to day life. It means moving a heavy object over a large distance in the fastest amount of time. For example, if your car breaks down and you can push it to the nearest gas station, you are functionally fit. Bicep curls and bench press are great for someone who wants to look good, as weight training gives an aesthetic advantage. However, when it comes to functionality, a lot of people with big biceps struggle to do 10 pullups. Functional training helps you stay more agile and fit in your daily routine.

What is your opinion on nutritional supplements? Can one manage without them?

A ‘supplement’ is basically when you supplement something in place of something. There are certain supplements that a normal gym goer takes which are hard to get as nutrition in your daily routine. And protein is actually really good for you. The amount needed varies from the person’s activities and is relative. So if someone is going to the gym and wants muscle recovery and growth, then supplements are an option. If you can’t manage to get it from your food or are a vegetarian, then a certain amount is necessary. If you are a normal 9-5 kind of guy who doesn’t go to the gym, eats 3-4 times per day and goes on long walks, then you don’t need to take any supplements.

Does the average person need a personal trainer?

A trainer is important because he has studied movements, knows the human body and knows how to correct your form while reducing the risk of injury. If you go to a gym, they give some free training sessions to get you used to the machines. Machines can be complicated and you need to know how to adjust weights, sitting positions etc. During the initial phase, it is wise to hire a trainer, as they can show you the movements properly. Nowadays, classes and cross functional workouts are popular because the trainer is there throughout and he takes you through warmup, stretching and shows you the various techniques. Once you have mastered the techniques with a trainer, your chances of injury reduce.

Some exercises in the gym that are a must do?

Personally, I think everyone who goes to the gym should do four exercises correctly: squats, pushups, pull ups and the plank. These four are essential movements where even if you do not use weights, you can transform your body by increasing reps. Before using any kind of machine, you should know how to squat properly and do a push up properly.

How do you transmit your knowledge?

These days I feel that social media and other online platforms are the best ways to disseminate information. I do put a few videos out there and once in a while we also have workshops. My program Shivfit is not just about the body, it is about the mind as well. Podcasts are another medium which I use to engage with my audience.

From the January 2019 issue of FHM India.