Workout in military style for self-defence

Chennai

Co-founded by fitness experts Yohannan John and Sudhir Rao, Oval Crew is a group that started at the Oval Ground in Besant Nagar; its members were predominantly IT employees. “Initially, the idea was to bring people out of their houses. We started at a public ground where we taught people not just fitness, but also important life lessons,” explains Yohannan, who has trained extensively in various martial art forms.

“In life, you will be thrashed, beaten and broken. Be it physically or mentally, you have to stand strong. If you fall, then you have to stand up again and fight. Gyms don’t help shape this attitude. At gyms, people only focus on the aesthetics. It is only through such boot-camp workouts that one inculcates these traits,” he adds.

After a successful stint at Besant Nagar, they moved to Neelankarai in a private space that could accommodate more people. German national Kay Schuemann, certified CrossFit trainer, joined them. CrossFit is an intense and multi-functional, movement-based fitness programme that is much sought-after by top celebrities and sportsmen.

So what is special about the workout? “We work out in a group. This is helpful because there is always encouragement from peers just when you think you can push no more. We always start with an 800m run, and eventually, move on to different workouts. However, we have divided the regimen into three segments. First, we do endurance training, when we do sprints and cardio. Next day, we do strength training that requires weights, and on the third day, we do a mix of both,” Yohannan says.

Unlike the usual gym equipment, they use military backpacks stuffed with sandbags, tyres that are roped up and sticks to work out. They are even starting sessions for teenagers. “We want youngsters to start at a young age and include fitness as a part of their lifestyle,” he stresses.

Oval Crew’s focus is on self-defence. “We are conducting weekend classes on self- defence that involves karate and ninjitsu. We concentrate more on techniques to handle the attacker,” says Yohannan.

For details, check www.face book.com/ovalcrew/