Ankur Warikoo’s fitness coach, Sagar Ahuja, on his transformation: ‘He maintains a six-pack without anyone’s help’

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Entrepreneur Ankur Warikoo has been training extremely hard to keep fit. And the man behind his current transformation is coach Sagar Ahuja, who believes that maintaining a six-pack all year round is actually possible with the right guidance and mindset.“He is now leaner and stronger, he lifts more weight than most 20-year-olds going to the gym. Bodyweight went from 82 kgs to 69 kgs, waist went from 36 to 29.5 inches, chubby fat to chiselled six-pack abs at 43. More importantly, better energy, improved posture, and higher consistency in daily routine,” he told indianexpress.com in an exclusive interview.When someone like Warikoo shares his transformation publicly, it sets a standard. An excited Ahuja, who started working with Warikoo in 2023, expressed, “It feels great, but more than validation, it’s a responsibility. People don’t just see results – they see what’s possible. We started working together in 2023 when he wanted to specifically target belly fat and overall conditioning, without compromising his lifestyle. I connected with him via email first, and then we had a Zoom call. My main goal was not only to help him achieve his best physique but also to improve his eating habits so that he stays in shape year-round.”Ahuja, who has coached more than 4,000 men, including founders of companies like Urban Company, Zomato, MakeMyTrip, and Eazydiner, apart from CEOs and creators, talks about his mission to help men become sharper physically and mentally, not just lose weight—the main reason why he started Alphamen, a wellness company focused on men’s health. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sagar Ahuja (@alphamenbysagar)“Early on, I realised most fitness advice fails because it doesn’t fit real lives. Busy professionals don’t need perfect plans; they need sustainable systems. Over the last few years, I’ve coached many, helping them lose fat, improve energy, and build discipline that carries into every area of life,” Ahuja said.The duo went on to achieve “shredded physique in 10 months”. “Through his improved eating habits and awareness, now he maintains a six-pack year-round without anyone’s help. Once in a couple of months, I check on him regarding things, that’s it,” Ahuja shared.The goal was kept “simple”: “Lose fat till he achieves six pack abs, improves strength, and makes it sustainable.”And the approach? “No crash dieting; no overtraining; flexible workouts as he travels a lot; focus on habits, systems, not motivation; and build a routine that fits his calendar.”Story continues below this adWhile initially, it was about fat loss, now it’s about maintenance, longevity, and performance –staying fit despite a demanding schedule. “He trains typically 4-5 days a week, and his focus areas are strength training (hitting two muscle groups a day); daily one hour tennis, and light cardio,” mentioned Ahuja, who also coached Warikoo’s parents, who are over 70.Notably, Warikoo’s current wellness routine is a mix of warm-up and mobility, strength training (major lifts), and core work and lasts 45-60 minutes, he apprised.What’s his diet like? “I did design his diet, but not a restrictive one. The principles we followed were high protein intake, balanced carbs and fats, and a no-ban list of foods—he even ate chole bhature occasionally. Flexibility for travel and work,” shared Ahuja.What’s special about Warikoo? “Fitness is not about abs—it’s about becoming a more disciplined version of yourself. Once that changes, everything else follows—business, relationships, mindset. Honestly, motivation isn’t the focus. We build systems so he doesn’t need motivation, and he is himself a system-driven person. He treats workouts like meetings—non-negotiable. That’s the biggest differentiator,” said Ahuja.Story continues below this ad Ankur Warikoo and Sagar Ahuja (Photo: Sagar Ahuja)Quick tipsTop 3 fitness tips for beginners*Start small but stay consistent*Focus on calories and daily movement*Don’t chase perfection—chase sustainability. “Consistency wins every time. An average plan followed for 6 months beats a perfect plan followed for 10 days,” reflected Ahuja.A common mistake*Trying to do too much too soon—extreme diets, long workouts and then quitting.Also Read | Turban specialist recalls his work on Dhurandhar set, Ranveer Singh’s praise: ‘’Kya mujhe bhi classes mil sakti hain?’Simple routine for busy professionals*3-4 workouts/week (45 mins)*8-10k steps daily*Protein-focused and calorie-controlled diet*Sleep disciplineStory continues below this ad*Focus on longevity, strength, and sustainability—staying fit for the long run, not just looking good temporarily.