Tamil Nadu

Competitive body builders resort to diet control

— Photo:R. Ashok

Bodybuilders displaying their well groomed muscles in Tiruchi.

Tiruchi: Competitive bodybuilding is not just about sweating it out at gyms. Men who flex their muscles have a high price to pay these days. Workouts in gymnasiums must necessarily be complemented with healthy diet for maintaining the muscular build.

Bodybuilders in the city, especially those from middle and lower income group families, are in a spot of bother of late.

The sharp increase in the prices of essential commodities has caused a dilution in the nutrition levels of their diet. Bodybuilders are finding it extremely difficult to nurture their physique.

Tiruchi over the years has produced very good bodybuilders. Prominent among them are Sivaramasudan, Durai Raghunathan and Balagangadhar Tilak, who had returned with laurels in Mr. South India and Mr. Tamil Nadu contests some years back.

Lot of youngsters wish to follow in the footsteps of their seniors. Though they are willing to sweat it out at the gymnasiums, intake of healthy food also matters.

“A competitive bodybuilder needs to take at least 20 egg whites a day apart from other food supplements. Chicken and fish also form an important part of their diet,” says Tiruchi District Amateur Bodybuilding Association secretary M. Rajendrakumar.

A lot of bodybuilders claim that the rise in prices has forced them to restrict their dietary regimen. Those who took 20 egg whites a day before have cut down their intake considerably.

“If they consume less, their performance drops. Yes, bodybuilding demands a lot of determination and dedication. But striking a right balance between workout and diet is very important,” says Mr. Rajendrakumar.

S. Prabhakaran, who has performed well at bodybuilding competitions conducted at various levels, fears that increasing costs might spoil his dream of making it big in the sport.

“I have to begin preparations 40 days before the start of a tournament. Nutritious diet forms a major part. Being an electrician my earnings of about Rs. 150 a day was enough to meet my expenses, earlier. Now, given the price hike, I need to shell out at least Rs. 200 a day towards diet, which is impossible. Without sponsorships, I think it will be very difficult for me to participate in the upcoming tourneys,” he says.

The increase in fuel costs has affected those going to gyms in motorcycles. Many of them have opted to travel by bus, but that has proved time-consuming.

“Morning hours are the ideal time to work out at the gym. Once I started travelling by bus to the gym, I became irregular. Reason being that I couldn’t reach office on time after finishing my weight training at the gym,” says Sridhar, a diesel mechanic.

Owners of gym centres are grappling with the surge in rent and maintenance costs.

© Copyright 2000 - 2009 The Hindu