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Still going steady at 90
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Besides teaching exercises for maintaining a good physique, he also knew some curative methods for ailments such as wheezing, diabetes, etc
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M.G. Subramaniyam in action.
"SAY NO to steroids and stimulants. Concentrate on maintaining good health and don't crave for publicity or award", was the motto of Mr. M.G.Subramaniam, a nonagenarian, who has been running a gym in the city for 43 years since1946. It was the only gym in the Temple City then.
His gym the Modern Physical Culture Institute, which was functioning on North Krishnan Koil Street, had nearly 700 members on its rolls.
Besides teaching exercises for maintaining a good physique, he also knew some curative methods for ailments such as wheezing, diabetes, etc.
Mr. Subramaniam, born in 1912, started doing exercises at the age of 16 and has also secured a master degree in physical training from the K.V.Iyer Institute of Physical Health, Bangalore, in 1940. The institute was affiliated to the Bangalore University.
Mr. Subramaniam never closed the gym except on Sundays. In fact, the body-builder used to stay in the gym at night and lock it from inside at the end of the day.
"He had a great respect and devotion for the art", says Balasubramaniam, grandson of Subramaniam, who also runs a gym at Surveyor Colony in the city.
Though his sons were also bodybuilders, they could not continue his show due to family and professional reasons.
But today, Mr. Subramaniam's grandson, Balasubramaniam alias Mahesh, has taken the mantle and is running a gym, completely stuffed with modern as well as traditional equipments.
"More than my grandfather, it was my uncle, a research scholar in genetics and anatomy, who taught me several nuances of the art with which I am able to give a successful show", says Mr. Mahesh.
Started just a year ago, the gym is today used by over 200 members. Most of them are college students and middle-aged persons too.
An interesting thing is that a student of his grandfather is also taking training under Mahesh.
Speaking about the ambition of his grandfather, he says, "my grandfather wants to live for 100 years and prove the world that he was able to accomplish this mission through regular exercise".
"Even at the age of 90, my grandfather, a highly determined man, is doing some exercises to maintain his physique", says Mahesh.
MRA
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Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Coimbatore
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
Madurai
Thiruvananthapuram
Visakhapatnam
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