Catch ’em young

Sonu Sood with son Eshaan

‘Healthy eating is part of our value system'

Sonu Sood doesn't support the notion that introducing kids to a resistance training programme at a young age could be detrimental. His older son, Eshaan took to one at the age of 12, even though he was exposed to other forms of fitness at age five. "He was always fascinated by the things I would do. It is essential to take to a training routine from an early age because it facilitates the development of a healthy mind and body, unlocks one's true potential, and channelises raw energy into something productive," says Sood, adding that Eshaan was also inclined to sports from a young age.

"He loved playing badminton and football, and is undergoing training in boxing. Resistance training and sports enhance body functions, and bring about a sense of discipline. Discipline is rewarding in both, personal and professional life."

Regardless of when a child is introduced to fitness training, Sood says essentials such as teaching the correct form, and taking to a diet that is aligned with the routine, is of prime importance. Healthy living, he says, is the "cornerstone of our lives at home".

"That's how it should be for everyone. A lot of problems of the modern world can be averted if you practice healthy-living. Eat good food, stay fit, and give the body the space it needs [to unwind]. Even if you're pushing the limits while training, you should be calculative, and have a realistic picture of what you're aiming for. Obsession is damaging. Be easy on yourself, but, also prepare yourself for days that demand more from you."

His kids have taken to his "wholesome protein diet", which he describes as part of the value system that is unique to each family. "For us, healthy living and eating is an important aspect of our value system."

5
Age at which Sonu Sood's son Eshaan took to training

‘He can do everything in the book'

"My elder son literally flies," says Ahmed Khan of Azaan, 20. A glimpse at his social media pages reveals that that, in fact, is true. Like his director-choreographer father, the youngster too is a black-belt holder in combat sports forms like taekwondo, and tai chi, and has been training since eight years.

"I've trained since I was seven. My sons [younger, Subhaan] began to train at the age of seven and 12. If I had daughters, I'd make them do the same. This is a discipline that helps you become physically fit, and mentally quick. My wife and I enjoy [fitness activities], and we also had a hero in the house in Tiger Shroff, who was idolised by my sons," says Khan.

Khan admits that Azaan harbours dreams to be an actor, and has been training himself to "learn everything in the book" to be physically adept for the job. "The things that I learnt were basic. We had moves like front and back flips. Today, the level of training that the kids are receiving is far more refined. Also, back then, the trainers were not paid enough. I trained from someone who is now teaching the US SWAT team. Today, parents don't mind spending on trainers to enable their kids to become better. That makes a difference."

‘Rysa had many role models at home'

Bhavana Pandey and Rysa

Ananya Panday's sister Rysa didn't have to look too far when searching for a role model in the field of fitness. As if actor-father Chunky Pandey's profession - which needed him to be ship-shape at all times - wasn't enough, fitness professional Deanne Pandey (wife of Chunkey's brother, Chikki) had inculcated in the kids a love for fitness. "But a lot of Rysa's affection for athletics stems from the person that she is," says mother Bhavana Pandey, adding that the young girl had a flair for sports from a young age.

Ananya Panday with sister Rysa

Both the daughters, says Bhavana, were driven to athletics from the word go, but Rysa had taken to it with more vigour. "They were both trained in taekwondo. Rysa is a black-belt [holder]; Ananya, a green. It was from the age of five that we began to train them, and they were competitive. Rysa acquired a love for football, and went on to [audition] for the state level. She has also grown up watching her elder sister develop an interest for [fitness] from a young age."

While Bhavana takes onus of the role played by parents in the development of their children, she doesn't discount the effort put in by their educators. Grateful that her kids were part of a university that focused on athletics, she highlights that they were compelled to "pick both, sporting and non-sporting activities" as electives. She, however, draws the conversation back to the part that parents play in their children's lives when stating that it is on them to "notice what the child enjoys doing". "Talk to them, and discuss options, but don't pressurise them.

If they enjoy [sports], give them as many [opportunities] as you can, through the school or a sports-organisation."

Also read: National Nutrition Week: Why one must pay attention to the nutrition table on food packaging