'I was the lab skeleton before my fitness regime!'

This model doesn't call himself a workout addict. But he does have a fitness routine and he tells us all about it.

He skips gym at the drop of a hat and hates stepping out of his house during the the monsoons. Instead, model Freddy Daruwala manages to stay in shape by skipping, swimming and playing the odd game of basketball. Daruwala tells us more:

Have you always been a fitness freak?

Well, not really. I used to be very, very thin and my friends would tease me a lot and present me as a skeleton in science class. I didn't want to be the skeleton in science class, so I started working out! (chuckles)

What was your fitness regimen when you started out?

Those days I did anything and everything. It was much later that I gradually evolved, started working out with a schedule, started paying attention to my diet and became more conscious of what kind of exercises I should be doing.

What is your fitness regimen now?

I go to the gym just two days a week and do circuit training. Twice a week I go swimming and most other days I am either jogging or skipping. I love skipping -- I skip around 1,500 times every day.

Would you say you are addicted to working out?

No! I can skip the gym at the smallest excuse. But I love playing sports. I used to be a district level cricketer and a state level basketball player. Whenever I get the time I go to YMCA to play basketball even today.

How do you stay fit when you're travelling?

I carry my skipping rope wherever I go and of course, a pair of swimming trunks. So if there is no pool available I can always skip.

Biggest dampener in your workout regime...

Rain! I hate travelling when it is raining. Else when I have had a long day I skip the gym.

What do you think young men should do to stay fit?

Eat well; sleep well and workout!

Do you think it is important to have six-pack abs?

I think they are overrated because I haven't as yet worn anything that would show off my six-pack abs! What you need is a flat tummy. To get that you need to strengthen your abs and back muscles. There are a lot of workouts for that.

VIDEO: Workout for strenghtening core muscles

What according to you is the most difficult exercise?

Some of the leg exercises are pretty difficult. I used to work out like a maniac on my legs, till I hurt my knees. So I don't do a lot of squats and lunges, which are great workouts for getting great legs, hamstrings and butt. I stick to jogging, cycling and working out on the elliptical trainer

What is the most common workout blunder?

Shaking your body while working out! Never do that! And always know your body's limits.

What do you like wearing when you're in the gym?

I love wearing shorts to the gym and a t-shirt because it is important to keep the body warm while working out. If the body cools down, the metabolism drops and the muscles that are supposed to be pumping up cool down.

What's in you gym bag?

I always carry a skipping rope, kneecaps, a pair of shorts, a shirt, a water bottle, a napkin and a deodorant.

Video: Hitesh Harisinghani