How Ranbir Kapoor got a fit body

Ranbir Kapoor describes his journey from a chubby teenager to a chiselled actor as a difficult transition. He confesses, that only when he decided to get into films, did he realise the importance of being fit. “In school, I played basketball and football at state level. I play football even now,” he says.

Ranbir who has an athletic build, says, "My work requires me to take good care of my body and the way I look. There are a lot of sacrifices that you have to make for that to happen — from what you eat to disciplining yourself to leading a balanced life." His only complain is his gruelling work schedule, that on many occasions, leaves no time for workouts, forcing him to hit the gym at absurd hours like 3 am. "It isn’t easy to remain fit. If you are an inherently a happy person, it reflects on your skin and your body," he feels.

The Kapoor scion credits his high metabolism rate for his lean look. The actor adds that it works as an advantage because he can eat all the fatty stuff and not worry about it showing on his body. Weighty issues aside, ask Ranbir what his most troublesome areas are, he says, “I put on weight on my face. It’s very hard for me to put on muscle mass so getting a beefed-up look is quite an effort.”

And is the mama’s boy also a fitness junkie like her? “My mother is a great influence where food and fitness is concerned. She has consciously been making me aware of the right and wrong foods from my childhood. Though I still rebel when she experiments by making different kinds of salads and vegetable juices,” he laughs.

Not a gym enthusiast, Ranbir confesses he does need a healthy push. “I need a taskmaster to pull me to my gym, else I would never exercise. My trainer Pradeep Bhatia is also a close friend who has been with me for three years now. Even if I am tired, he doesn’t take no for an answer. He travels with me, feeds me, pulls me to the gym. He is a great motivator. I understand the value of going to the gym and remaining fit, but I like the fact that there is someone to look out for me,” adds Ranbir.

First Published: Oct 13, 2011 16:00 IST