Q: I am 33 years old and suffering from early osteoarthritis in my left knee for the past four months. I’m 5ft 11in tall and weigh 86 kg. Could you suggest some appropriate exercises for my condition?

SB, Calcutta

For your early symptoms of osteoarthritis, I would suggest you try yoga at a reputed clinic and also take homeopathic medication for a long period of time. A combination of both should show results, reducing the pain and arresting further damage.

Q: I am 19 years old and 5ft 3in tall. Could you suggest some exercises that will help me grow taller by a few inches?

MSA, Calcutta

At 19, the growth is more or less complete. Swimming and stretching exercises, especially hanging on a bar at least twice daily for as long as you can hold on, may help at this late stage in stretching the spine. Consult your doctor and take calcium with the above mentioned exercises for at least a year.

Q: I go to a gym regularly. Though the rest of my body has toned up, my arms are unnaturally flabby. Could you suggest some exercises or equipment I should use in the gym to tone my arms?

SM, Calcutta

The next time you go to the gym, do tricep press, arm extension, wrist curl, biceps with weights and shoulder press. The gym trainer should guide you with a chart on time, repetitions and alternate days. Another excellent form of toning arms is, take two books of fairly heavy weights, hands extended straight out behind and scissor-wide for 10 minutes twice daily. This can be done even in office at lunch break. Done daily, you will notice the arm area turning firmer and shapely.

Q: What are the best exercises/drills to get a perfect set of abs?

NV, Siliguri

A perfect set of abs requires perseverance and a lot of effort. Sit-ups do not suit all as in some cases a back problem is aggravated. Crunches are excellent and also leg raising as the back is fully supported on the ground and there is no chance of using hip flexors instead of abs. Half-an-hour thrice weekly to target this difficult area is the only way to reach your goal. Once you achieve a rock hard set of abs, 15 minutes three times a week will do.