Fit to the T

He started with the fitness camps last year,when he first conducted them in housing societies for children and adults. He says that people assume joining an expensive health club is the ticket to staying fit. “But that is not so. Today people either complain about not having time,or say that they cannot workout at home for lack of knowledge. I teach them simple exercises and how by a combination of these exercises and shifting body weight,a really good workout can be done even at home,” he adds.

This year he has conducted the camps at Sarita Nagri-Phase 1,for Cosmos Bank employees,and also for those who come to exercise at Taljai Hills every morning. “I would often run into people who couldn’t afford to go to gyms exercising on the nearby hills. That’s how I began teaching them. At Cosmos Bank,near my house on Sinhagad Road,the employees were astounded to see me lift the heaviest among them on my back and walk through office. I gave them tips on maintaining a good diet so that they could maximise efficiency and not get tired at work,” he says.

All this aside,Dongre continues to train at the gym as well and perform aerobics too. He says that the more he learns the more he can teach others. “Times are changing and I need to learn the best possible techniques to keep myself fit so that I can teach others. Another reason why I do this is because,I have donated my entire body to the Indian Army. After my death,they will not just make use of my eyes and internal organs,but also my limbs,which can help someone who has lost his limbs in war,” he says.