From copying celebrity workouts to stimulating your body with workouts and food, we caught up with Namrata Purohit to find out what she thinks is the ideal combination to get fit.read more
Namrata Purohit She may not need any introduction as you’ve probably seen her in multiple videos training celebrities like Sara Ali Khan, Janhvi Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor Khan on the Pilates machine. We caught up with her during a recent trip to Delhi and spoke to her about fitness, training and health tips. Here are some highlights from the conversation:
Have you noticed any changing trends within the fitness industry?
We’ve seen a shift in the way people think about fitness. I think more and more people are now interested in understanding their bodies and doing what’s right for them, without getting caught up in trends and fads. I think people understand the importance of health and mindfulness, especially since the pandemic. That’s why many people understand the value of mindful movement and smart training.
What do you think about people’s eagerness to copy celebrities’ workout routines?
I think it’s great to be inspired and motivated by their efforts, but at the same time it’s important to understand your own body and not compare it to other people’s bodies and journeys. Own your fitness journey and become the best version of yourself.
Do you believe in the idea of constantly changing your training routine to shock your body in order to get results?
No, I don’t believe that. Consistency is key. Scientific research has shown that a particular motor task needs to be repeated 40,000 to 50,000 times for muscles to become naturally established, fully stabilized and automatic. Therefore, performing a certain task multiple times will help you get closer to perfecting its behavior over time. I believe in keeping your routines interesting and fun, and in training your muscles in multiple different ways and planes of exercise, but this means that you can completely change your fitness regime or style of training every few days or weeks. That doesn’t mean you need to change it to . In fact, stick to something and build on it.
How do you see yourself transitioning from the traditional “breakfast like a king” approach to intermittent fasting and starting your day with bulletproof coffee?
I always say: simply do what you feel is good for your body. There is no one size fits all method. Personally, I think it’s important to have balance in all aspects of your life, including how you eat. You need to use food as your friend and use it correctly. Food nourishes us and is important not only for weight gain and loss, but also for your skin, hair, gut and overall health.
Can you tell me about your celebrity clients who consistently attend sessions, who effortlessly achieve results, and who strictly adhere to their diet (no cheat days)?
Some of our celebrities like Sara Ali Khan, Janhvi Kapoor, Khushi Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Ishaan Khatter, etc. are very disciplined throughout their lives to achieve their goals. There are several people who are trying very hard. They all work hard to stay on track and stay healthy and fit. At the studio, we believe in having a reward (cheat) meal. We don’t call it a cheat meal, we call it a reward meal. I have to say 1 meal, not 1 day. They’re all on track with their diet, but I think they indulge themselves from time to time. I think it’s good for the mind and the body.
Speaking of Pilates, what aspects of Pilates remain untapped in India?
I think Pilates has come a long way, but there are many avenues that are still untapped in India. For example, pre- and post-natal Pilates is still not widely understood or explored. Pilates is a very good way to train during pregnancy and post-natal, but awareness is still low. Another aspect is that Pilates can benefit athletes. In fact, Pilates is important for athletes to not only become healthier and stronger, but also to prevent injuries, and in case of injury, it helps in efficient and effective recovery. This aspect is finally starting to be explored a bit, as we have more cricketers, Olympians, etc. training with us, but it is still very early days and there is still a long way to go.
If you were planning a quick 15-minute workout for a busy person, what would you include?
Everything! 15 minutes is the perfect amount of time to give your whole body a good squeeze. When doing EMS training, 15-20 minutes twice a week is enough to get an effective workout and at least put a tough strain on your body. However, ideally, you should train 4-5 times a week for 30-45 minutes each time, depending on your intensity.
