‘Fitness is a life jacket’

Sheetal

I work out and inspire people—reads the bio of Manpreet Bumrah, who is a bodybuilder, a YouTuber and works as cabin crew with an airlines. Born and brought up in a village, near Amritsar, she went to SD Senior Secondary School, Taran Taran. Manpreet believes that no dream is big for a small towner like her. ‘Convince yourself and dare to dream big and no amount of discouragement will pull you down. Coming from a small town doesn’t mean we are inferior to others,” she says.

She never thought of becoming a bikini athlete for India but now, this 26-year-old fitness influencer dreams of representing India in the Olympia. On the personal front, she is happily married to Jotraj Singh Bajaj.

What does fitness mean to you?

A life jacket that is essential to enjoy life to its fullest.

Lockdown woes…

My husband and I are into body building and have been doing weight sessions together, but working out using each other’s body weight was completely new for us. We enjoyed it. It helped us maintain our body weight during the lockdown.

Fitness accessories that you cannot work out without?

A good pair of shoes, gym wear and a yoga mat.

Recovery story…

I had an accident six years back and my right elbow got badly injured. When I hit the gym for the first time to shed some extra weight for my job, I had difficulties in doing tricep exercises. Being regular at the gym had a positive impact on that elbow.

Dietary needs…

After attaining a perfect body, people encouraged me to take part in competitions. Once you decide to take part, your approach towards fitness changes drastically. I count my calories and quantify my nutrition intake. Not a calorie more, not a calorie less!

Food you crave for?

Coffee, not the black one but the sugary milky coffee, cold or hot.

One desire…

To represent India by stepping on the stage of Olympia. I am training hard to do so. I want to win the title for my country.

A misconception about bodybuilding you wish to bust?

There’s no such thing that women will start looking like men if they start lifting weights. A perfectly toned body can be achieved by doing bodybuilding exercises.

Fitness mentor?

My fitness coach is Asad Hussain. But, the person who inspires me is my husband. He is my support system and encourages me to aim higher.

Who do you stalk on Instagram for fitness videos?

Almost everyone.

A piece of advice for budding fitness models?

Fitness is a lifelong journey. Just remember even if you will lose a competition, you will gain something much bigger, a healthy body. That’s something you should aim for in the first place!