Emotion may not be his forte but when it comes to action, few can beat John Abraham at the box-office. With films like Force and Rocky Handsome , Abraham is on the way to establish himself as the local Rambo. He says, “All great action actors, including Sylvester Stallone and Bruce Willis, believe attitude is the only trait which makes a complete action hero, for which good fitness is mandatory.”
Abraham is an early riser and dedicates different days in the week to different parts of his body. “My fitness regimen depends on what goal I have and generally the routine includes core, functional, cross-fit and strength exercises which I do by hitting the gym.” Being an ardent football player, he believes that sports can help build intrinsic power and complement a fitness routine. “Although sports cannot replace the required exercise as an alternative to a regular workout, it can complement the workout which gives tremendous results.”
In Rocky Handsome , he was seen doing Aikido, a Japanese martial art form. The actor believes one should inculcate the kind of discipline that martial arts teach. “As you practice it daily, it teaches you self-control and balancing which is useful in decision-making for daily life too.” Apart from the workout at the gym, he also believes in the power of alternative ways of maintaining health through yoga and meditation. “At the gym, you can exercise for your back but what about the lower back? So Chakrasan becomes important, and for stretching thighs Vajrasan is the best way. So yoga must be included in your exercise schedule for overall fitness.”
And when it comes to his diet, the star prefers home-cooked food for his daily meals and avoids canned and fast food alternatives while shooting outdoors. Instead, he picks on salads and fruits. Born to a Malayali father and Parsi mother, Abraham prefers food from the latter community. “I like pattra ni machchi [steamed fish wrapped in a banana leaf] and dhansak [toor dal gravy] and can eat them on a daily basis if allowed.” He supplements his regular diet with essential fatty acids and amino acids, but he is strictly against the use of anabolic steroids as they have long-term repercussions. “At least one should maintain a ratio between protein intake and body weight. If I weigh 94 kg, I must consume 94 grams of protein to fuel my body. Anyone who is working out must maintain a protein-rich diet which daily food cannot provide. Protein supplements can contribute to energy requirements of the body.”
The actor believes our tech-savvy generation, lives a sedentary lifestyle. They should be motivated towards fitness otherwise it can result in serious health complications, he says. “For motivating anyone, we need to pull him out of his easy chair. But ultimately that urge for change should come from within so that positive things start happening which the person can feel.”
