Dear Maties Gym member

As we inch closer to the holiday season, it’s time to rev up those workouts and stay committed to your fitness goals.  December is here, and we’ve got some fantastic updates and tips to keep you motivated on your fitness journey.

We extend a warm welcome and thanks to the international athletes from countries such as  Germany, Belgium, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland for choosing Maties Gymnasium as their destination of choice to conduct their training camps in preparation for the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games hosted in Paris next year.  We wish you all the best for the journey ahead. Please keep in mind that this might lead to our HP area being busier than usual.

Maties gym facilities update and reminders

Blousaal and cycling studio

The Blousaal and our cycling studio will be undergoing a refurbishment from 20 November 2023 and will be completed by the end of December 2023 and early in 2024 respectively.  All scheduled classes for the Blousaal will be moved to the Dance Hall or Sports Hall, which is located on the first floor next to the indoor swimming pool.  Cycling classes will be taking place in the Innovation Centre.  Please keep a close eye on our timetable and social media to stay informed of any changes.  Also please don’t hesitate to ask any of our staff members to direct you to these venues.

We apologise for the inconvenience caused but guarantee it will be well worth the wait.

Graduation Week – Coetzenburg Centre

It is time to celebrate all our students that are graduating.  May this be just the beginning of a fulfilling and rewarding journey.  Wishing you success, happiness, and fulfillment in all your future endeavors.  Go forth and make your mark on the world.

Please note the operating times during graduation week below:

Monday 11 December:              05:30 to 12:00 and 19:30 to 22:00
Tuesday 12 December:             05:00 to 08:00 and 19:30 to 22:00
Wednesday 13 December:        05:00 to 08:00 and 19:30 to 22:00
Thursday 14 December:            05:00 to 08:00 and 19:30 to 22:00
Friday 15 December:                 16:00 to 20:00

Our December operating hours will remain unchanged except for the days below:
Sunday 24 December:               10:00 – 14:00
Monday 25 December:             Closed
Tuesday 26 December:            Closed
Wednesday 27 December:         06:00 – 21:00
Thursday 28 December:             06:00 – 21:00
Friday 29 December:                  06:00 – 21:00
Sunday 31 December:               10:00 – 14:00
Monday 1 January:                     10:00 – 18:00

MyBrew December operating hours

We are going cashless

Please remember that from 1 January 2024, we will say goodbye to paper notes and coins as we make the move towards a more convenient and secure way of managing our finances.  In 2024, we will no longer accept cash as a payment method for your gym membership. However, we will accept a wide range of alternative payment options such as instant EFTs, credit- and debit cards, Snapscan, and debit orders.  Also, be on the lookout for our new membership and access control tablets that will go live towards the end of the year.  Members will be able to manage their entire membership online, from registering and renewing their memberships to changing bank details, uploading supporting documents to freezing their memberships according to the current business rules.

#CashlessLife #DigitalRevolution #Convenience #newmembershipsystem #managemymembership

Memberships from 6 months to 11 months can be frozen for 30 days and 12 months memberships for 60 days.

Ladies changeroom refurb

Refurbishment has started on our ladies changeroom and completion date is scheduled for 31 January 2024.  During the refurbishment project, please make use of the Sports Science changing rooms on the ground level next to the outdoor pool, which remains fully operational.  We thank you for your patience during this time and the wait will be well worth it.

No more Ice baths

After careful consideration, we’ve decided to unfortunately close our ice baths with immediate effect.  Not to worry though, we still have many more great offerings in the facility to ensure you stay on track in your health and fitness journey.  Also, note that sleep and nutrition are still the best forms of recovery and that is something that you as a member have direct control of.  You can also contact the team at EPT Recovery for more information on recovery techniques at www.eptrecovery.com

New Cardio and strength equipment coming soon

Unleash the power of your cardio routine like never before with our brand-new Life Fitness equipment for the third floor. This will take the place of  our old Matrix and Life Fitness strength machines.  Coming soon. so keep an eye our social media channels for the big reveal.

Maties Gym has two iron women

Maties Gym gives a huge congratulations to our Personal Trainers, Bernette and Landi, who finished the Half Iron Man that took place in Mossel Bay over the weekend of the 18 and 19 November.

Let’s hear from Bernette:

“It might have been a solo race, but doing it together made the experience and the day a memory I will cherish it forever.”
“With Landi, who has no race experience and no sport background before three years ago, and this being her first event in any sport, and then taking on the Half Ironman, I couldn’t miss out in sharing this beautiful memory with her.  The swim we both panicked, the bicycle we were on fire and the run we don’t talk about, just a distant memory we don’t bring up 😊 Happy tears over the finish line!”

Congratulations ladies, we are super proud of you.

Tips and tricks:

The impact of caffeine on workouts

Caffeine is a natural stimulant with several benefits when consumed before a workout. Here are some of the potential benefits of combining caffeine with exercise:

Increased alertness and focus: Caffeine can help improve mental alertness and concentration, which can benefit a focused and effective workout. It works by blocking adenosine receptors in the brain, leading to increased levels of neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine.

Enhanced physical performance: Caffeine has been shown to enhance physical performance by increasing the release of adrenaline. This can result in improved strength, endurance, and overall exercise performance.

Fat burning: Caffeine can boost metabolism and increase the oxidation of fatty acids. This means that your body may use fat as a fuel source more efficiently during exercise, potentially contributing to fat loss.

Delayed muscle fatigue: Caffeine may help delay the onset of muscle fatigue during prolonged or high-intensity exercise. By affecting the central nervous system, caffeine can reduce the perception of effort, allowing you to push harder for longer.
Improved circulation: Caffeine can stimulate the release of nitric oxide, a compound that helps dilate blood vessels. This can lead to improved blood flow, delivering more oxygen and nutrients to working muscles, which is crucial for optimal performance.
Better endurance: Caffeine has been shown to enhance endurance performance by increasing the availability of free fatty acids, which can serve as an additional energy source during prolonged exercise.

Please get in touch with our fitness team at fitness@sun.ac.za or chat with them on the gym floor for any other health and fitness-related questions. They can give you expert advice and assist with programs designed specifically for your fitness goals.