In Pic : Surya with his fitness trainer Alkhas Joseph at Raktha Charithra Shooting Spot :slurp: :slurp:
Celebrity trainers in demand (TOI, 14 Aug)
There can be no doubt that Chennai’s youngsters have taken to fitness and body building in a big way. The mushrooming of gyms all over the city, is a live testimony to this. But a recent trend (or fad) among young men aiming for the Adonis look, is approaching trainers who have helped tinseltown celebrities get their near-perfect, sculpted bodies.
Says Gadide Padmakar Rao, a fitness trainer who has worked with Shaam, Vishnu and some high-profile bodybuilders in the city, “Yes, we do see youngsters who approach us, primarily because we train celebrities. Quite a few of them want physiques similar to that of their matinee idol. But we don’t give them any false hopes. We analyse their body types and suggest workouts that suit them best. On the other hand, there are also those who believe that by training at our gyms, they could get acquainted with their favourite celebrities.”
Alkhas Joseph, the personal fitness trainer to actor Suriya, who is (in a manner of speaking), responsible for the actor’s enviable six-packs agrees. “I get several inquiries from youngsters in the age group of 18 to 25 years, who call me for consultation in fitness matters. Of course, their topmost priority is getting a six-pack like Suriya in the shortest possible time. I try explaining to them that it’s not a cakewalk and that it takes several man-hours of hard work, coupled with stringent diet norms. Only then can you aspire to achieve the so-called chiselled look,” he says.
“Inspired by their onscreen idol’s looks, a lot of people think that a fitness coach is all it takes to get the look. But ultimately, it boils down to the dedication of the individual and how much he is willing to push himself for the sake of his body. As far as possible, I avoid entertaining requests for private fitness training as a significant part of my time is dedicated to getting Suriya to look his best in his films. We had recently flown down to Vietnam in order to get the actor trained in a special martial arts course for his upcoming film. And trust me, the results are there for everyone to see,” he elaborates. :slurp:
Fitness trainer Varun, who has assisted a few stars in their workouts, says that youngsters who are serious about building their body, do not take the celebrity trainer route. “The serious types usually research about trainers and only approach those professionals who can deliver what they have in mind,” he concludes.
