Perfect ten

I’m meeting the popular fitness instructor for the first time at her Bandra gym,Play,and as the interview progresses,I realise this forthrightness is quite characteristic of her. Just like she doesn’t shy away from mentioning her Tinsel-town friends,she’s very frank about what she thinks is ailing Indian society.

“We as a culture are just too used to having people do things for us. Between an obese American and an equally obese Indian,I’d say the former would be in better shape,simply because he would be used to doing some physical activity,even housework.”

Even though Panday has been in the business for over a decade,Play is relatively new at a year and a half. The centre includes,besides a gym,a yoga centre and a spa and will shortly include a juice bar as well for,as the mother of two says “the overall well being of the body.”

Also in the works is a book on the subject. “I’ve been writing on fitness since the beginning of my career and have contributed to various newspapers and magazines. Now I feel the time is right to write my own book,since I have both the experience and the time required.”

But it’s Bia Brazil—an internationally renowned fitness brand — that’s keeping her on her toes at the moment. She discovered the beautiful,yet practical,workout gear when she was training Bipasha Basu for Dhoom 2 in Brazil. “I simply loved how funky and effective the outfits are.” She bought plenty for herself and realising,that Indian women have had enough of boring neutrals in their workout wardrobe,decided to work to bring the brand to India.

The line,which is available at stores Ananya and Muse,has already found many fans among celebrities—Lara Dutta,Bipasha Basu,Priyanka Chopra and Katrina Kaif. “I was small-sale before officially launching the line here. I only invited a few girlfriends and within two days,every single piece was snapped up.”

The fitness guru says,“Bia Brazil is extremely practical and also very stylish. Besides,you can even get them custom-made,” says the svelte lady. To make her point,she shows off her black workout tank top,discreetly embellished with a diamante buckle. “This is perfect for busy women who don’t have time to change between the gym and attending a PTA meeting or going out for lunch.”

For long,Panday was the fitness mentor of the Femina Miss India contestants,a role she cherished because,as she informs,“some of the girls I trained,still come up to me and say that nobody else has given them such good guidance.”

For someone who counts Basu and Dutta among her workout buddies,and regularly gets Bollywood’s buff bods to sweat it out,Panday is very nonchalant about her connections,but open enough to acknowledge them.

Panday’s fitness formula is simple — say no to negativity. “Not all the fitness instructors and diets in the world will help you if you have a defeatist attitude. Don’t think of your body as ugly and hopeless. You have to start with a healthy mind.”

FIT AND FAB
* Akshay Kumar
* Bipasha Basu
* Dino Morea
* Lara Dutta
* Milind Soman