IF YOU FOLLOW the likes of Shilpa Shetty, Sushmita Sen, then you know that the secret to their enviable bodies — is pilates. The German fitness routine has been embraced by many in tinsel town and beyond, and Gaurav Basu of Wellnessmania International in Kolkata urges fitness enthusiasts to add pilates to their regimen for its therapeutic and rehabilitation benefits.
“I have been inclined towards fitness and sports since childhood but could not utilise my talent due to lack of time. I eventually decided to leave corporate glamour and step into the fitness sector, with the help of my wife, Debatri. A lot of research was involved before choosing pilates as my major area of pursuit and I got certified in strength functional training, group fitness, personal training programme design and nutrition in fitness and fat loss,” says Gaurav who points out that pilates can be done by anyone, anywhere, and at any age. Gaurav, 38, who opened his 800 sq ft studio at Garia back in 2016, busts myths and also gives us five exercises to achieve flat abs — just like your favourite celebrity.
Flat and fabulous
PILATES CURL: Lie down on the ground (supine) keeping your core engaged. Then raise your upper body to sit straight. Again roll back like a wheel. Repeat the process for a minimum count of 10 to burn the extra flab on your mid-abdomen.
HUNDREDS: Being in supine, raise your body forming a 90-degree angle from the ground (commonly called a tabletop pose). Now, keep your upper body raised in the air and push your hands towards the ground (as if your hands are pushing something very hard) with every exhale. Repeat the hand movements five times. This exercise will tone your upper and mid-abdomen.
PILATES V SIT: Be in supine, now raise your upper body and lower body forming a V-shape. Kee p your hands straight and parallel to the ground. Hold this position for a minimum of 10 seconds. This will work for your mid and lower abdomen.
PILATES SIDE PLANK CRUNCHES: Lie down sideways on the ground on your elbow with one ankle and the other side of the body in the air. Hold this position as long as you can. This exercise will activate your side abs or oblique muscles. Repeat the same exercise for both sides of your body.
PILATES PLANK SINGLE/ALTERNATE LEG LIFT: Remain in an elbow plank pose, move your leg side-to-side for 10 seconds and repeat the same for the other leg. The movement of the leg should be slow, steady and with a maximum range of motion.This is done through a reformer or apparatus only