“Six-pack abs do not always amount to fitness” Actor and martial artist Vidyut Jammwal shares his fitness fundas

“Six-pack abs do not always amount to fitness”

Actor and martial artist Vidyut Jammwal shares his fitness fundas

What does fitness mean to you? A lot of people have the wrong idea about fitness. They think people with great bodies are healthy and fit. The truth is you may not be fit in spite of having a six pack. Fitness is never about short-terms goals. It’s not a fad or a trend. It’s about making a lifelong commitment to the ideology of holistic health. Fitness, for me, is a way of life. 

Were you always health-conscious? Yes. It hasn’t happened overnight. I have been training professionally in various forms of physical activities — martial arts, free running and strength building — since I was three years old. As a child, I was quite regular at whatever activities I took up. Gradually, I started enjoying them. Fitness is more about the mind than the body. You need to enjoy what you do to stay fit; else you won’t be able to sustain interest in the activity.
    People often complain about the lack of facilities, like a gym around their locality. These are excuses. The truth is that you can sprint anywhere – be it on the streets or a treadmill. Most of the strength-building exercises like chinups, push-ups and sit-ups can be done anywhere, anytime. 

What is your fitness regimen like? I train every single day. Five days of the week are dedicated to martial arts training and two days to weight training. My martial arts routine comprises gymnastics, acrobatics, street stunts and tricking (a mix of flips, kicks and twists). Weight training includes extensive lower body training, which includes squats, lunges, jumps and calf exercises, along with upper body workouts on Roman rings and parallel bars. And then there’s the push-up routine. I focus a lot on lower body workouts, especially legs and calves. People who weight train tend to focus more on the upper body than the lower, not realising that the lower body works as a pillar that supports the upper body. It needs to be worked on. 

Do you follow any diet plan? I don’t have a written plan. I eat at regular intervals, as and when I feel hungry. I start my day with one litre of water, followed by breakfast that comprises white oats with muesli, fruits (especially kiwi), along with skimmed milk. Since I am a vegetarian, tofu serves as a source of protein. I make sure I consume the required amount of carbs, sugar and salt. It is important to listen to your body’s signals. Also, I make sure I keep myself hydrated at regular intervals. 

What are the benefits of martial arts beyond fitness? Martial arts instill a lot of focus and discipline. And anything that helps you focus, gives you clarity of mind. That’s why martial arts bring about a lot of positive psychological changes in an individual. They give you a deeper understanding of yourself, your strengths, motivation and your boundaries. With time, they also help you break your limitations and move forward. They also teach you to work on your shortcomings. 

How important is self-defence in today’s world? It’s a necessity. Basic knowledge of selfdefence tactics equips you with the right techniques that can be applied when you are in an emergency. Anticipating danger and having the presence of mind to deal with it is also a part of self-defence tactics. In fact, being able to outrun an unpleasant situation without having to indulge in violence is the best form of self-defence.