‘What do you do for a living?” An easy conversation starter at most social gatherings and like most people, I get asked this question quite often. Until a few months back, it was a pretty easy response – “I’m a corporate lawyer with one of the leading law firms in the country”.
But that answer was only relevant a few months ago; until I decided to give up my high paying corporate job for a dream I’ve had for years—a dream to see a fitter community of people. Now at parties, when I tell people what I do, I get an immediate follow up - ‘So how do I lose weight?’ But that’s for another column all together.
Fitness came to me at a very early stage in my life. When I was 9 my father took me to my first cricket camp. I first entered a gym at the age of 13. I wanted to improve my fitness levels to play cricket at the highest level. There was no one to guide me and I had to figure my way around the equipment. Slowly it became an obsession. My day wasn't and till today isn't complete till I workout. I've tried everything from weights to cardiovascular training to Crossfit. I am someone who gets bored very easily and I always liked doing different things to push my body.
Founding SOHFIT
Fitness means different things to different people. To me, fitness is not purely muscular gain or even weight loss for that matter. It is way more than that. It is the ability and the confidence to do things you never thought your body could do. It is a state of mind. For me, exercise equals happiness and that is exactly what I want people to understand and achieve. That’s why I started SOHFIT. We have a five-prong approach:
1. Master the basics.
2. Mix things up and be creative with time and space.
3. Make workouts fun.
4. Keep them short and intense.
5. Try new sports.
SOHFITting Your Life
While I have certifications, I'm not your text book gym trainer. I bring 20 years of experience of training myself and a few others. Being a lawyer, I've had to learn how to manage the stress of work and doing what I love the most, train. It's always been my release factor and my happy place. There are times when I don't have more than 20 minutes to train and I need to get in a good workout. I know what that involves and that's what I would like to share.
The biggest issue that comes in the way of fitness resolutions—is time, travel and access to a gym. But, honestly, that doesn’t need to come in the way of your weight loss goals. I would recommend an intense, effective and quick workout you can squeeze into even the busiest of days. Fitness does not mean spending hours in a gym. For all those on the go, here’s my favourite workout that can be done in a hotel room, in a playground or at a gym. There’s no room for excuses any more.
20 MINUTE TABATA BURST
Pick any five of your favourite exercises. Make sure you pick ones that work your entire body. I would generally go with one for the legs, one that works your back/chest, one that works your core, one that works your shoulders and a cardio based one.
Each exercise lasts for 4 minutes. Work out for 20 seconds, rest for 10 seconds.
Contact us on sohrab@sohfit.com
