The village of Asola-Fatehpur Beri is the strongest in India . For generations , men have held two-hour workouts every morning and evening in this countryside community on the southern rim of Delhi . From pre-teens to men nearing 50 , bodybuilders sweat it out at one of the most popular training spots , Akhada , which is a Hindi word that means wrestling arena . This is where brawny men wrestle in mud , climb ropes and perform a few hundred sit-ups and push-ups , balancing their hands on bricks . They carry each other on their shoulders -- all part of the traditional Indian way of working out . One lifts a 350 kilogram ( 771 pound ) motorcycle up to his chest . The group of about 40 males exercises outside , each wearing a simple loincloth . `` They eat healthy and on time , they practice here everyday , and that 's why they are so strong , '' says Vijay Tanwar , the head-trainer at Akhada . The musclemen of Asola-Fatehpur Beri are capitalizing on their brawn by working as bouncers in New Delhi 's clubs and bars . As more nightspots open in India 's capital , there 's a greater need for men to guard the doors , and the musclemen from this rural village are filling most of that demand . Profitable muscle . Tanwar is credited with starting this new trend . Fifteen years ago , he missed out on a place in India 's wrestling team for the Olympics . He says he was looking for an opportunity where he could use his muscle and power , and so took a job as a bouncer . `` I was the first bouncer from this village , '' he claims . `` Then everyone followed my path . More than 300 musclemen work as bouncers in New Delhi 's clubs and bars now . '' They 've learned that pumping iron is a way to stay fit and earn a living . `` As they say health is wealth . We are healthy but we 're also earning good money , able to send kids to good schools , eat well -- what else does one need in life ? '' he says . Building muscle is n't only about becoming a bouncer in Delhi . Disciplined training is very important for these men and part of a tradition in the village . `` There are few modern gyms in the village , but most men prefer the traditional style of working out , '' Tanwar says . `` It makes your body flexible and the risk of injury is less as well . '' The musclemen do n't drink or smoke . And the majority of them are vegetarians with diets that consist mostly of fruit , nuts , yogurts and lots of milk . `` We do not consume any muscle enhancing supplements , '' Tanwar says . Building muscle in a new generation . Urged by his parents , Sonu Tanwar , 19 , gets up at 5 a.m. to go running and then to the Akhada . Tanwar , who represents the younger generation of bodybuilders , says : `` I want to be a great wrestler and make my parents proud . I play in the 66 kilogram category and have won several championships . '' Instilling a habit of working out in young males is important , says Guru Lekhraj , a 75-year-old native of the Asola-Fatehpur village . `` Children are prone to bad behavior between the age of 17 and 27 , but if we get the child interested in physical exercise and good health , bad behavior will not be an influence . This is what our ancestors have taught us as well . Who will teach if not the elders ? '' Lekhraj comes to the Akhada often to observe the men working out . He 's a respected figure among the musclemen , and is considered the bodybuilding guru of the village . ​ . Due to Lekhraj 's age , he can not participate in training anymore but says he is very happy the young generation is continuing the legacy . `` What mother does n't want her son to be strong , well-built , handsome and smart ? '' Lekhraj says . In the case of Asola-Fatehpur Beri , bodybuilding also means building a legacy .
Men gather for four hours each day to exercise in rural village Asola-Fatehpur Beri . Tradition of exercising has turned village into recruitment grounds for Delhi bouncers . Recommend0