Gyms are once again operating in South Africa. The timing of this announcement would have any conspiracy theorist setting up a new plotting board (creepy red string included). Gym owners and fitness enthusiasts held socially distanced protests saying that they are probably the best equipped to take on covid-19.
Their reasoning?
Well, physical fitness is a key factor to fighting the disease, their machines are well-spaced, and hygiene is tantamount to any fitness establishment.
Flash forward to the regulations being lifted, and South Africa’s finest returned to their place of worship – the gym. But where were the strict hygiene protocols? Who was sanitizing the equipment, and who was ensuring that patrons were wearing their masks?
All good questions.
At one establishment, it seems that gym users were left to determine the degree to which they adhered to the lockdown regulations and hygiene protocols.
But this hasn’t bothered them. Their favourite place to sculpt their bodies is once again open and functioning.
And this dedication to the art of fitness /body-building has grown during the lockdown. Some even pooled their resources, and set up ‘home-gyms’.
These were quite creative:
I am told that they have their pros and cons. But working out at the gym reigns supreme.
I spoke to a *Sly who derives joy from these tests of strength. And for him, this relationship with the gym began at the age of 13. This journey began while going to gym with his mother; he wasn’t allowed to use the weights, but used to marvel at the “bigger guys”, and try to copy them. This later evolved to a more serious dedication three years later.
There are different types of people in the weights section of the gym; and one, which I found to be the stereotype of buff guys, is to “bro” it out. This means only training arms and increasing the weights, which disregards style and technique.
Sly later realized that “Bro-ing” at gym was not ideal, and his time was better spent applying technique to get the maximum results. His training as a physiotherapist helps.
Technique plays an important role, but diet and lifestyle have their influences as well. What’s the point in bulking up if you can’t see the definition? This therefore requires two phases; the bulk and the cut. Bulking means eating more high protein and carbohydrate meals, and being at gym will require pushing heavy weights. For the cut, the diet sees a calorie drop, where Sly burns more than he consumes. So he’ll eat less and increase his cardio at the gym. The weights will be slightly lighter, but the repetitions (reps) will increase.
But who wants to lift heavy things all the time? And what is the point? Sly says it’s about disciplining your body and sculpting it to its most ideal form. Another motivator is not becoming overweight, and being unable to breathe or move freely. Body-image is important, and the compliments make it all worthwhile.
While there are many products and workout regimes, it’s important to decide what works best for you and your needs. Therefore consult an expert, and don’t follow those workout plans you find on Pinterest. Sly advises to fully research diets and not restrict yourself to the point that it affects your social life. Your gym buddies should have a similar approach, while also motivating you to do more and better.
Fitness and physical health are lifestyle choices, and cannot be achieved in a few months. Here’s some tips from the pro:
- Admit that you need to change, and ask why it’s necessary
- Decide on goals, even write these down
- Take “before” pics in your underwear (don’t flex, or suck in your tummy. Make it as unflattering as possible). It will help in a months’ time when you’re thinking of quitting
- Realize that patience is key, your change won’t happen overnight but with dedication it will
- Change your relationship with food. Don’t “diet” but adapt your eating preferences. This doesn’t have to be scary. If you normally have three outings to the drive through a week, cut it down to one. You’ll definitely see a difference.
- Sly says to do a holistic program, which will include compound movements and full body exercises. Basically avoid only doing isolation exercises. Fit cardio into your program.
*name has been changed