September Newsletter

Oct 3, 2023

3 October 2023

Spring!

Greetings to all our Maties Gym members. Here is your latest edition of our monthly newsletter, designed to keep you informed, motivated, and on track with your fitness journey. We have an exciting lineup of updates, tips, and events to share with you this month.

To all our student members that have returned to campus for the last stretch of the year, we wish you the best of luck and hope you will finish the year on a high. Keep your head down, prioritise your studies, stay fit inbetween and  look forward to a welcoming break over the December holidays.

Maties gym facilities update and reminders:

Brand new sauna in men’s change rooms

The refurbishment of the sauna in the men’s change room has been completed. Please let us know what you think of the new sauna by adding your comments to our social media pages or emailing us at gymsales@sun.ac.za.

Our ladies’ changeroom will be getting a much-needed facelift from October until the end of January 2024. During the refurbishing period, will you please use the Sports Science changing rooms on the ground level next to the outdoor pool, which will remain fully operational.

We will communicate these dates well in advance and we appreciate your patience and understanding during this period.

Our new audio system upgrade has also been completed. Thank you for your patience during the installation time and we appreciate the positive feedback. It’s always a priority for us to make your training experience with us a great one.

If you have not been to the gym in a while or would like to show your friends and family what we are all about, scan the below QR code or clikck here for a glimpse of our facility courtesy of Skypixels.co.za

Harron is our member of the month

After some fierce competition we are thrilled to announce that Haroon Brinkhuis has emerged victorious!   We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the members that were nominated.  Your passion, enthusiasm and hard work has for sure paid off.
Keep a close eye on our social media pages as voting for the next round of member of the month will commence soon.

Book your Vitality Fitness Assesment 

A Vitality Fitness Assessment is a comprehensive evaluation of an individual’s overall health and fitness. It consists of two parts – a cardiorespiratory fitness test on a watt bike and a strength and flexibility test, consisting of a battery of 7 tests, both of which, together, can give you a well-rounded understanding of your fitness level. You will also get corrective exercises to improve areas of weakness and limited range of movement to help prevent injuries and improve your functionality.

The goal of a Vitality Fitness Assessment is to provide individuals with a clear understanding of their current fitness level, identify areas that need improvement, and create a personalized fitness plan to enhance overall vitality and well-being. — and, of course, to earn some much needed Vitality points!

If you are 18 years and older and on an active Vitality membership, you can book for the Vitality Fitness Assessment, where you can earn up to 7500 Vitality points.

If you have a cardiovascular condition or any other high-risk factors, please obtain clearance from your doctor before continuing with this assessment. It is your duty to disclose any medical condition to the biokineticist, and to ensure that you are medically fit and can complete the Vitality Fitness Assessment. Make an appointment for the assessment with an EPT biokineticist by sending an email to info@eptrecovery.com or phoning 021 808 3469.

What is brewing in October?

In October Maties Gym’s activities will be centered around Breast Cancer and Mental Health Awareness.  We will be having a Pink Party — among other events — to create awareness and give members an opportunity to dress up and partake in various activities.  We will share more details on these events and on the Open Days on our social media pages, so stay close to those 😊

Bok Fridays!

Let’s continue to back our boys and continue to bring some gees by wearing green every Friday in support of our Rugby World Cup bok team.

Tips and tricks – the benefits of stretching:

One of the things a lot of people do not include in their fitness regime is stretch, despite it being one of the most important ingredient in your daily training programme. Regular stretching mproved flexibility, reduced muscle tension, enhanced blood circulation, gives you a etter posture and improved overall athletic performance.

It’s important to note that stretching should be done safely and mindfully. Avoid bouncing during stretches (known as ballistic stretching), as it can lead to injury. Instead, opt for static stretching, where you hold a stretch for a set period. Additionally, it’s advisable to warm up your muscles with light aerobic activity before engaging in static stretching to reduce the risk of injury.

Please get in touch with our fitness team on fitness@sun.ac.za or have a chat to them on the gym floor.  They can give you expert advice and programs designed specifically for your fitness goals.

Let’s get personal!

Getting ready for summer and looking for that extra push or motivation?  Why not invest in a journey with one of our qualified Personal Trainers.  They will give you expert guidance, keep you accountable, motivate and support you with a program that is tailored to your individual goals.

It’s essential to choose a Personal Trainer who aligns with your goals, personality, and communication style so have a look on our website to meet our Personal Trainer team on our home page: Home – STB – Maties Gym (sun.ac.za)  Scroll down the page until you get to the Personal Trainers.  These guys are the best of the best when it comes to physical fitness and will be able you guide and assist you whatever your goals are, whether to increase your aerobic fitness to run a marathon, loose some excess winter weight or gain a few pounds leaner muscle to show off on the beach during the holidays.

Les Mills on demand

In case you missed our previous communication, just a reminder to not miss out on this amazing opportunity!  Feel like taking your exercise routines with you wherever you go? Cannot get to the gym but do not want a break in your workout routine or just looking for some varied exercise content?

Through our partnership with Les Mills (we are sure you have seen our incredible new classes like Grit Strength, BodyBalance and BodyPump) you, as valued Maties Gymnasium member, are now able to subscribe to the Les Mills On Demand platform at a 25 percent discounted rate and receive a free trial month — for free, on us! Simply click here and get access to over 2 000 science-backed workouts.

Nutrition Corner:
Easy Berry Smoothie

Feel like a great smoothy to reward yourself after a good workout? Then try our easy berry smoothie.
You will need:

  • 2 medium bananas (sliced and frozen)
  • 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
  • 1 cup frozen strawberries
  • 1 cup frozen blueberries
  • 1 cup frozen raspberries
  • 2 scoops vanilla whey protein

Just blend it all together and enjoy. 

Stay in touch

Are you keeping up with our latest news, exercise tips, launches of new Group Exercise programs and so much more?  Give us a like and follow us on our Instagram and Facebook pages below:

Instagram: @matiesgymnasium
Facebook: Maties Gymnasium

We will be adding more interactive content, motivational tips, podcasts, recipes of the week on our platforms.

News from our Tygerberg facility:

New Boxing Classes at Maties Tygerberg: Unleash Your Inner Champion!

We are thrilled to introduce our latest fitness offering at Maties Gym Tygerberg: brand-new boxing classes led by our experienced instructor, Jesse.

Jesse, with a rich background in  amateur and professional boxing, brings his passion and expertise to these high-energy sessions. Expect a dynamic workout that caters to all skill levels, where you’ll master proper technique, enhance full-body conditioning, and boost your confidence. Jesse’s classes will improve your physical fitness and develop your mental toughness, leaving you feeling empowered and ready to conquer any challenge. Join us every second Friday for a knockout experience!

Additionally, don’t miss our weekly campus run, open to everyone, every Thursday at 17:00. Whether you’re a seasoned runner or just starting out, you’re welcome to join us as we explore the campus with routes starting at 2.5km and 5km. Lace-up your running shoes, and let’s hit the pavement together!  See you there!

We value you feedback

Your opinion counts! We value your feedback and are continuously working to improve your gym experience. Share your thoughts, suggestions, or success stories with us on gymsales@sun.ac.za or drop us a DM on @matiesgymnasium where our friendly staff are ready to assist.

We hope you find this newsletter informative and motivating. Remember that your fitness journey is a marathon, not a sprint. Keep pushing yourself, stay consistent, and you’ll achieve your goals.

If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our friendly staff.  Your success is our priority!
Thank you for being a valued member of Maties Gym. Let’s make October your fittest month yet.

Stay strong and stay fit!

The Maties Gym Team