Mangaluru: KL Rahul, Sonali Swami chant fitness mantra

Mangaluru, Feb 28: He is young, will turn 24 this April 18, and full of beans. She is 40, mother of two, and her peers look up to this fitness diva. While his teammates look up to this wiry lad to weather the new ball so that those coming down can milk the bowling and make loads of runs, this diva who took the fitness world by storm just two years ago is presently much sought after celebrity in the fitness industry and gives peers half her age a run for their money with her body.

Yet when K L Rahul, Indian Test team opener and Sonali Swami, the fitness diva took centre stage at the opening of Zuese Fitness Club on Sunday, these celebrities in their own right, took little time in zeroing in on the need for individual fitness. While Rahul nursing a fracture in his right hand that he carried in a sling said healthy lifestyle is need of the hour, Sonali who had no qualms in disclosing her age, said fitness regimen brings out a new confident self in individuals.

Noting that the fitness club is great change for the city, Rahul said it is such facilities that will help promote healthier life style. "It is essential to train to have a healthy lifestyle," the Indian cricketer said adding he does utilize facilities at the club whenever he is in town. Reminding all that there is not a good day to start, Rahul, who complemented Sonali for her appearance, said it is people such as Sonali who will continue to inspire all those who sit on the fence with fitness.

Asserting that a proper gym workout leaves him in a proper frame of mind, Rahul said, "There are times when I harbor doubts or battle self-belief ahead of big games. But all these are put to rest once I hit the gym and come out from a session. I feel confident enough to take on anyone after such a session." The strapping cricketer whose workouts show in his biceps said he is gearing up for rough and tough of IPL season that looms after the ICC T20 World Cup event.

Sonali's message was for the women, whom she described as the head of the family in that they have a 24-hour hands-on job managing it. "Set aside 30-45 minutes each day for your fitness away from the daily grind for this will keep one fit both physically, and most importantly - mentally," she surmised. A group fitness instructor before she reinvented herself two-years ago, Sonali said if one wants to be fit, they should go for it and not harbor any sort of excuses.