THE LIST | STAYING FIT
PLANET FITNESS
S.W.E.A.T. 1000
VIRGIN ACTIVE
It was here first, one of the original gym brands to make its mark in Joburg, and it continues to offer excellent facilities and services. Planet Fitness gyms around the city also offer every possible way to get fit and healthy. The club behind the Wanderers was the first to offer an indoor running track, and though many have followed suit, being at the forefront remains one of Planet Fitness’s strong points. Cross trainers, yogis, Pilates fanatics, body builders and every other type of exercise fundi is to be found there almost daily working hard to look good. The flagship club, called Platinum Sandton, is located at the top of the Radisson Blu on Rivonia Road. This club offers a unique, luxury sports and spa experience featuring hightech facilities.
If you live in Bryanston, Morningside or Illovo, you can participate in one of Joburg’s most popular ways to get fit at the S.W.E.A.T. 1000 studios in Blubird, Nicolway and Morningside centres. S.W.E.A.T. stands for Specialised Weight Endurance Athletic Training and literally burns 1,000 calories in the one-hour workout. It combines interval training with core stability work, functional, athletic and agility training, all packed into the workout making it an endurance feat. Best of all, these strenuous workouts are accompanied by live DJs. They don’t mind beginners, intermediate or advanced exercisers, so why not join the crowd?
There are many Virgin Active Clubs dotted around Joburg, from Victory Park to Vodaworld and Sandton to Soweto. The two flagship clubs are well known; you’ll find them in Melrose Arch and on Alice Lane in Sandton. Sir Richard Branson’s business ethic has seen him succeed in every sphere, gyms included. His trademark is great value for money, with a few quirks thrown in for good measure. Everyone of his Joburg gyms has a loyal following – proof of his success. Clubs offer every possible means of getting fit and healthy, from an indoor pool to workout rooms, weights, super circuit… you name it.
www.planetfitness.co.za
www.sweat1000.com
CROSSFIT
www.crossfitjozi.co.za www.crossfitplatinum.com CrossFit develops the broadest possible fitness using varied high intensity workouts comprising functional movements (pushing, pulling, squatting, lifting and throwing). It’s an ever-changing mix of body weight exercise, weightlifting, kettlebells, running, skipping and rowing that offers excellent results for people of all fitness abilities. CrossFit Jozi offers a community of likeminded active people who inspire and motivate each other to achieve optimum fitness. There are currently two different locations for CrossFit Jozi fanatics – Meadowvale in Joburg and Benoni. If you’re based closer to the northern suburbs, there’s Crossfit Platinum in Linden that not only offers CrossFit training, but also features personal fitness training for weight loss, body conditioning and toning, boxing, kickboxing, physical rehab and overall health and fitness.
118 | www.joburgstyle.co.za
www.virginactive.co.za
ELITE DEFENCE ACADEMY www.elitedefence.co.za
Krav Maga is a practical Israeli selfdefence system that is popular with military units worldwide as well as those people who want to get fit and learn self defence at the same time. Elite Defence Academy offers classes in Krav Maga all over Joburg, from Bedfordview and Sunninghill to Springs, the East Rand and Fourways. The classes feature awareness training, safe behaviour and intelligent physical self-defence components. The Academy, founded by Des Brown in 2007, offers around 20 Krav Maga instructors. Training is for learners of any ability, is safe and the method is easy to learn.