Good looks come easy to the famous celebs, but a chiseled body doesn't. Behind the lean, ripped and camera-ready physiques of some of India’s top stars is a name known across Bollywood gym floors - Yogesh Bhateja.
The celebrity fitness coach, known for sculpting renowned actor Sonu Sood's frame, has also worked with Kapil Sharma and Tamannaah Bhatia, helping them navigate tough schedules, stress, and the ever-growing demands of onscreen perfection.
In an exclusive conversation with Moneycontrol recently, Yogesh Bhateja spoke about training stars, focusing on mental health, busting fitness myths, and why discipline is the real secret weapon.
From Arjun to Rambo: Sculpting Sonu Sood’s different avatars
Sonu Sood’s transformation over the years from a sharply dressed villain in Farah Khan's directorial venture 'Happy New Year' to a muscular figure in Rohit Shetty's 'Simba', didn’t happen overnight. It was crafted step-by-step with Yogesh Bhateja’s vision and rigour.
“When I met him, he (Sonu Sood) was very strong. He had a beautiful body. But yes, me being a professional, I had more expectations and I had a different image of him in my mind that I wanted to achieve with him and with God's grace when I got the opportunity, we did achieve it," he told us during a visit to our office in Delhi.
The result was a series of transformations that changed with every film for actor and philanthropist Sonu Sood.
“In R... Rajkumar, we achieved a bulky and stern guy who was literally dominating the whole area. After that a very smart, dashing man in Happy New Year, then the journey went on. We had different kinds of ideas when it came to the body type. Every time we challenged ourselves and changed the structure of his body. If you see him in Simba, he was very big, strong and muscular. We achieved a Rambo kind of physique we achieved in Simba. We made sure that when the time comes, we are there, all prepared to just take off the shirt and show the world," laughs Yogesh as he described the scenes where Sonu Sood showed off his six pack abs.
Inside the Gym with Celebrities
Despite the glamorous exterior, celebrity life comes with erratic schedules, emotional highs and lows, and pressure to look perfect.
“Sometimes I go and I don’t train them. I just sit and talk to them because at that time I think they need that only... Being a personal trainer comes with a lot of responsibility.”
He recalls training Kapil Sharma during his fitness revival phase between 2015 and recent years and continues to work with Tamannaah when schedules permit.
“Every person is different. I keep my head free, gauge the energy, and accordingly create the plan.”
Mental Health and Stress: Life is not that straight, it’s like a jalebi
Yogesh Bhateja doesn’t just focus on reps and weights. His approach is holistic and he says it is all about body, mind, and routine.
“Once you’re stressed, your body starts storing glucose, which gets converted into fats... Your cortisol hormone goes on the top. Your BP gets messed up, you are losing your testosterone, your happy hormone.”
Yogesh Bhateja says he encourages breathwork, meditation, and sleep as much as strength training.
“Just close your eyes and breathe... you’ll feel calmer and more fresh,” he says, adding that mental clarity boosts decision-making even in high-stakes jobs. "Life is not that straight. It's like a jalebi. So you have to be prepared for those turns, those harsh tones," he adds.
I need only discipline from you, I will take care of everything
Whether it’s a celebrity prepping for a film or a CEO juggling deadlines, Yogesh Bhateja says he believes the core ingredient for success for everyone is only one thing and that is 'Discipline.'
“What changed after school? That was only the lack of discipline... Once I tell them that discipline word, my things, his things are going to be aligned. You have to find that discipline in your life. This time we need to wake up, this time we need to eat, this time we need to sleep. That’s it.”
Yogesh Bhateja’s mission now extends beyond stardom. Through his 21-Day Fitter You Challenge, he’s training housewives, beginners, and working professionals.
“People get into the gym on day one thinking they can do this much... After three days, they get fever or nausea and quit. That’s why I created this program — so they can start right.”
The focus is on realistic goals, sustainable movement, and community building.
Why Intermittent Fasting works
Yogesh also warns against blindly copying celebrity fitness routines and he says: "They have a proper machinery working for them, including professionals like me. A normal person shouldn’t try everything, their body, their bloating, digestion, nobody is watching that."
Intermittent fasting, however, earns his nod conditionally. “I strongly recommend and believe in it. But again, if you’re getting acidity, gas, irritated or low energy then don’t do it. See what suits you," he said.
Clear warning for newbies
For fitness newbies, Yogesh Bhateja has a clear warning. "Don’t run for short-term achievements. Don’t fall for shortcuts like steroids... This is your body. It’s a temple where you have to live in."
Yogesh stressed that it is important to seek professional guidance for one's fitness journey.
"Yes, he’s going to charge for it. But he’s going to save you a lot of time and money... You’ll waste Rs 30,000 trying random things, but a professional may just charge Rs 5,000 and get you on track from month one," he says.
As fitness becomes a non-negotiable in the professional and personal space, Yogesh Bhateja is emerging as not just a trainer but a wellness guide.
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