From a sexy beach body in Dostana to a bulky bad-boy physique in Pathaan, John Abraham has always rocked a hot bod. Fitness Expert and Celebrity Trainer Vinod Channa has been training the actor for a decade, helping him achieve his body transformations for various roles. Having been in the fitness industry for over 27 years, both as a professional bodybuilder and a trainer, Channa understands the need for focussing on a wide variety of disciplines. He holds certifications in over 16 fitness techniques and is fluent in strength training, functional training, yoga, stick mobility, animal flow, martial arts, animal flow etc. We caught up with him to find out more about Abraham’s fitness journey over the years.
GQ: How long have you been working with John Abraham? What are some key differences you have observed in his fitness since then?
Vinod Channa: I have been working with him for almost 10 years. Before we started training together, he used to only practice weight training. He didn’t have much experience with mobility and flexibility. So, when he used to go for action sequences, he faced the threat of injuries and dislocations due to sudden movements. This is why we started adding mobility, conditioning, and flexibility workouts to his routine.
GQ: He recently appeared in Pathaan, a hardcore action movie, at the age of 50. How did you prepare him to ensure he avoided any injuries during filming?
VC: When you cross the age of 40, you need to work harder to keep your body ready for all types of movements. So, we used to add mobility movements to our workouts. For example, instead of doing a regular squat, we would do a squat with a jump. We also focussed on following a good diet and ensuring that he had enough rest days to recover.
