HYDERABAD: A national-level volleyball player, Lakshman Reddy has a keen interest in body building. Hailing from Peddamberpet, he came to the city to realise his goal. Working out regularly after college and school, Lakshman won the Junior Mr India contest in 2007 and today, he has been selected to represent the country at Mr World contest to be held in November in the United States.
“In the 50-year history of the Telangana Body Builders’ Federation, I am the first to win the Best Body Builder Award,” claims Lakshman. He was also the semi-finalist in the Senior Mr India contest in 2008 where he competed with participants from the various states, Army, Railways and Airforce.
Exercise regime
Talking about his exercise regime, he says, “I work out daily for three hours in the morning and three in the evening. Forty days before the contest, I usually go on an all protein diet and live only on egg whites,” explains Lakshman who thrives on 10 to 12 egg whites a day.
“He had even gone on a no water diet for three days to harden his muscles and reduce body water.”
“Every workout is a battle. Some say it’s between you and the weights, but I think it’s a battle against yourself. It’s seeing how far you can push yourself each time. The pump, the pain. I love turning into a freakin’ animal. The contests are just a way to show how hard you have been working,” he explains.
Supplements
“I feel there are so many gimmicks out there that trap young trainers. I was one of them. I say save your money for Protein , Vitamins and Caffeine. We need to handle each and every body part like a baby and concentrate on each part. There is a separate exercise for each part,” says the bodybuilder. He explains that consumption of protein supplements is inevitable as a normal diet will not provide 200 g proteins that his body requires.
“I’m right now eating a lot of mosambi and oats because that’s what my body needs,” he says. But when it comes to anabolic steroids this body builder advises caution.
“You can build a body on steroids. It takes a lot of hard work and dieting. One has to keep health in mind and not get carried away,” he explains.
Now obviously in bodybuilding, sponsorship is important.
“Sponsorship is a great opportunity and I am currently in search of one. I just hope I will be fortunate enough to be picked up by a company or person who is looking for bodybuilders to sponsor. I would love to promote supplements, fitness wear, anything in the industry that I believe in. Being able to get your face and name out there not only helps yourself but also the company. Seeing different faces as well as different ages motivates all types of people,” he says.
In spite of getting support from his family and friends, the government doesn’t recognise and give credit to the body builders, he laments. “Body builders in the west are worshipped and they earn a lot. Even in North India, body builders are given jobs in the police department. It is hard here to get sponsors and jobs. Unless you have a gym of your own, it is difficult to fulfill your dream,” he regrets.
