Raj Ganpath
| Photo Credit: Johan Sathyadas
In the introduction to his debut book, Simple, Not Easy, Raj Ganpath says that the book is an unusual mix of science, reason and positivity meant to provide clarity and inspiration. There is a consistent reference to the word ‘simple’ all through his book. It makes sense if you have worked out with Raj at The Quad, a Chennai-based new age functional fitness bootcamp he co-founded in 2011. Or if you have seen him on Instagram where he posts short videos every single day about strength training, lifestyle changes, nutrition, fitness myths and more.
In a market that is saturated with books, YouTube videos, reels, and posts on fitness, Raj, a certified coach, initially had a different vision of this project. “Sixteen years ago, when I had just begun my journey in the fitness industry, the only book that seemed worth writing was a loaded book that would prove to everyone how much I knew about the subject. It took working with many people over the years to realise that most do not have a problem with the ‘what’ anymore, they need the ‘why’ and the ‘how’,” he says.
When we meet Raj at The Quad’s office in Chennai, he holds up the book, published by Westland Publications and says “I did not want a scary, big book and was keen on a light, short one that did not intimidate people,” he says. As a debut author, Raj says he found the timeline the most challenging, even though he was able to write it all in a whirlwind six weeks — given how familiar he is with the topic at hand.
In 100 chapters divided into seven sections that include nutrition, movement, sleep, weight loss, stress and consistency, Raj says that the book aims to make people independent and take control of their own fitness. “The whole fitness industry is built around making you dependent on something — be it a workout or a diet program. The book however preaches the opposite, that you do not need to know or remember so many things, and appeals to your logical side,” he says.
In the age of endless reels on social media promising quick fixes, plans and more, Raj tackles two very topical themes in his book — about how fitness is not just for fit people and most importantly, that it is not finite.
“I have been very adamant about one message; the fact that it is always about the big picture and about consistency. Most people believe that fitness has an end date and is something they can finish, when it should be about management and something they should keep at in the long run,” he says.
With empathy missing in a ton of the fitness discourse happening online and offline, Raj emphasises on how fitness is about functionality for the common person first. “Fitness is not just for athletes or actors, and shouldn’t be restricted to looks or performance. For the common person, we need to keep in mind that they are doing this in addition to their jobs, their lifestyle issues, amidst work stress, late nights and a host of other things. Empathy is a necessity,” he says. Raj says that people who take to fitness wanting to be like an actor or behave like an athlete will break.
Much like his reels on Instagram that have four points, or five simple steps, Raj chalks this down to a simple cycle as well. “For fitness to make you feel better, you need to be consistent. This in turn will happen only if there is convenience which is a result of your plan being simple and accessible. And all of this won’t happen unless there is motivation, kindness, positivity or empathy,” he says.
When asked what is something he hopes people imbibe from the book, Raj says, “Brutally simplify things for yourself. Be kind to yourself because you are trying your hardest.”
Published – January 22, 2025 02:37 pm IST
