Zareer Patell's Silhouette Aerobics (Banjara Hills)

Some zippy jazz plays in the background as we walk into the large "sweat-it" hall from one of the many doors of the school he conducts classes in. It doesn't take a keen eye to sift a salubrious 50-something man out of the many panting women and the rare "give me more" man. Sparing the receding hairline, none gives away his age. Unmistakably, the fitness instructor you read and heard about.

The initial phone conversations will either discourage you beyond repair or force you to make just one visit. If it is the latter, you'll only be convinced to stay on and absorb the zing in the air. And "fighting fat" can't get better when you spring, sprint, stretch, twist, squat, punch, kick and combat. From aerobics to weight training, cardio-kickboxing to self-defence, Tai-Chi and personalized consultations, name it and you'll find it here.

Zareer Patell only makes the most honest and cutting comments the first time he meets you, and in all the sequent meetings, you'll know that's the way he is given to work. If you are fat, he doesn't call you "healthy". He puts it matter-of-factly. The author offers it's all part of the big plan... if you persist, you'll gain from his experience in more ways than you'll ever imagine.

There are some weird/unique things first-timers can't help but notice here:

- On your first day, you'll only watch them sweat. A pseudo-preparatory class in effect.
- The classes span 45mins here. Unlike the conventional hour (or, more or less).
- The students get to go on a "picnic" after half-time. No utopian dream, he makes you sprint for a perfect cardio-break, and times it.
- The cutting-edge numeric system followed in the class. Only, each of the 16 counts lasts much more on the 'recognized' counting pattern.
- The fee structure. You either pay for 3 months or a year.
- And the most important, your money's worth... no two days look the same.

Zareer conducts classes at Banjara Hills, Secretariat and Secunderabad. For specifics, he may be contacted at 9246520614.