/ Fitness with Achal

by Achal Dua

Fitness with Achal

Jun 29, 2013

HoBo (Hollywood + Bollywood)
A workout program combining the best of both worlds!

When I was a kid watching Bollywood movies, the last thing I paid attention to was the six-pack abs on the actors and the toned arms on the actresses. Things have changed since then, and so has the workout culture in Hollywood and Bollywood.

Hollywood + Bollywood in the ’80s

Both Hollywood and Bollywood went through style transformations in the ’80s. Bollywood became more and more colourful, and Hollywood introduced some never-before-seen special effects — cars and gadgets galore. With these changes came movies like Rocky, Commando, Terminator, and Die Hard that changed how actors looked on screen and off. Hollywood and western society became increasingly aware of their looks and health. New diets, such as Atkins and South Beach, were introduced every year, and people kept striving to achieve that perfect look.

The ’80s: Go for the Burn

There’s no question that in Hollywood, health clubs were very popular in the ’80s, but for some reason they were associated with hard-core bodybuilders and serious athletes only. This was the era of home video workouts. Some of the big names in the fitness industry rose to fame in the ’80s. People like Jane Fonda, Judi Sheppard Missett, Denise Austin, Gilda Marx and Richard Simmons emphasized aerobic workouts, class-oriented fitness and the go-for-the-burn mentality; not so much weight training.

Bollywood was still in its infancy, and getting ripped and toned wasn’t on the top of the list for actors. I remember my mom considered walking her daily workout because back then, the concept of home video workouts didn’t exist.

So as Hollywood embraced the moves of Jazzercise and Jane Fonda, Bollywood was content with walking and crunches.

Hollywood + Bollywood in the ’90s

The demand for movies like The Matrix increased in the ’90s and so did every actor’s pursuit of fitness. Old myths were broken, people started discovering new ways of losing weight and business started booming for those who took advantage of the fitness craze. This was the time when Tae Bo, a mixed martial arts workout featuring Billy Banks, started airing. In the ’90s, you could catch one of Billy’s infomercials pretty much any time of day. The place to work out remained the same, but the type of workout changed. People realized that you needed more than just jumping jacks to get toned arms and a small waist. Celebrities like Julia Roberts, Madonna and Janet Jackson shaped the female figure of the ’90s and showed that lifting weights and training hard can give you the body you desire.

Bollywood also saw some major shifts in the workout world during this decade, and our actors started to look much more like Hollywood stars. The transformation of fitness in Bollywood was started by Salman Khan. He single-handedly revolutionized the desired look for macho actors. Actresses also started adapting the toned-arms look and began lifting weights. Madhuri Dixit, Sridevi and Juhi Chawla all had personal trainers and a fitness program.

The ’90s: Weight Training For Everyone

From the living room to the gym, people were hitting fitness from all angles. The fitness craze was everywhere, and the workout industry was bringing in tons of money. Tae Bo, hula hooping and step aerobics were all part of the ’90s craze. Weight training was becoming the norm — no longer just part of the bodybuilder’s regimen. Actors like Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt were now making a physical impression on the silver screen.

The ’00s: The Mashup Workout

The ’00s completely revolutionized the world of fitness. Educated consumers and movies like 300 gave birth to a new level of fitness called functional training. Carefully crafted workouts from weight training to yoga and Pilates all came together in one package. Guys started to look like Greek gods and gals were right up there with them with rock-hard abs.

Bollywood was now ready to bloom into a new world where fitness had a totally new meaning. Aamir Khan (in Ghajini), Hrithik Roshan (in Dhoom) and John Abraham (in Force) raised the bar for fitness in Indian cinema.

Fitness isn’t about huge arms and big shoulders, it’s about getting that perfect body that suits your frame. On average, five new gyms open every week in India — a number I find outrageous — but the amount of people going to these gyms is also increasing. Everyone wants to work out so they can look like Bollywood actors. I thank our Bollywood stars because they’ve made people realize that fitness is much bigger than just going to gym — it’s about how you eat, how you sleep and what you think. It’s a lifestyle.

YOLO, so HoBo!

Since there are so many similarities and complementary elements between Hollywood and Bollywood fitness regimens, here’s a workout that mixes east with west and gives you the best of both worlds.

Try this unique HoBo workout at home without any equipment.

Day 1

a. Warm-up – Squats (25 reps)
b. Push-ups – Indian-style (search “Indian-style push- ups”) (10 reps)
c. Squats – Indian-style (search “Dand baithak Indian squats”) (50 reps)
d. Lunges – Keep your back straight and stand in one position (10 reps each leg)
e. Tricep dips – Use a chair or a step and keep your legs straight in front of you (search “tricep bench dips”) (15 reps)
f. Cool-down – Lie flat on the floor and do a Shavasana pose (search “Shavasana”) (3 minutes)

Day 2

a. Warm-up – Squats (25 reps)
b. Burpees – (video search) (15 reps)
c. Leg raises – Lie on a flat surface and raise your legs together (15 reps)
d. Push-ups – Indian-style (search “Indian-style push-ups”) (10 reps)
e. Mountain climber – Keep your knees together (search “mountain climber exercise”) (20 reps)
f. Cool-down – Lie flat on the floor and do a Shavasana pose (search “Shavasana”) (3 minutes)

Day 3

a. Warm-up – Squats (25 reps)
b. Squats – Indian style (search “Dand baithak Indian squats”) (50 reps)
c. Clean and press – Keep correct form and hold a broom (search “clean and press”) (50 reps)
d. Push-ups – Regular push-ups on your knees or feet (15 reps)
e. Tricep dips – Use a chair or a step and keep your legs straight in front of you (search “triceps bench dips”) (15 reps)
f. Cool-down – Lie flat on the floor and do a Shavasana pose (search “Shavasana”) (3 minutes)

There you have it! HoBo — a perfect combination of Hollywood and Bollywood workouts. I guarantee you’ll feel the burn!

Achal Dua is a certified personal trainer and CEO of Bollywood Abs Inc. in the Washington, D.C., metro area. He specializes in rapid weight loss, endurance and athletic training. An avid blogger, Achal has been featured in Vogue magazine and has regularly appeared on Zee TV, Jus Punjabi and HumDesi Radio. www.bollywoodabs.com

PUBLISHED IN THE HEALTH & WELLNESS ISSUE, SUMMER 2013

Achal Dua

Author

Achal Dua is a certified personal trainer and CEO of Bollywood Abs Inc. in Washington, DC metro area. As our fitness expert he brings forth his speciaity in rapid weight loss, endurance and athletic training. An avid blogger, Achal has been featured in Vogue magazine and has regularly appeared on ...