Pretoria – Two energetic young men are doing their bit to get the nation in shape.
Fitness enthusiasts here no longer need to find money for gym; all they need do is make their way to the lawns of the Union Buildings and join in the sessions offered by Floyd Mashego and his childhood best friend Ananius Segooa.
Motorists passing the famous city landmark in the later afternoon would have seen the pair and their followers in action – from young children to those wanting to get rid of their middle-age spread.
Growing up in Mpumalanga, Mashego was always passionate about soccer and aspired to become a professional some day. He started playing soccer from the age of 12, and has been active ever since.
In 2007 he moved to Pretoria to further his studies. While studying for a diploma in accounting he played club soccer but did not go far.
“After the club I played for started having problems, I started gyming with my best friend.”
This prompted Mashego and Segooa to start jogging at the Union Buildings. In an attempt to avoid losing strength and becoming lethargic, they began working out using anything and everything in their path. “While we were doing our daily routine of jogging and specialised aerobics, people started paying attention to us. They pleaded with us and eventually convinced us to help them with their gym routine. The rest is history,” said Mashego.
In 2010 they started training 25 people on the Union Buildings lawns and the numbers have gradually increased. They now have about 200 members. “The membership is overwhelming so it’s pretty clear we are doing a splendid job.
“People must be talking about us, hence the increased membership, and most of all, it’s free,” he said
Pretoria News picture editor Masi Losi, who recently joined the boot camp, said: “The kind of strength that Mashego displays takes hard work and dedication. It uses a body’s own weight to develop strength, fitness and flexibility, and undermines the need for an orthodox gym.”
Losi added: “It also means a change in lifestyle, from diet to exercise.”
Mashego and Segooa’s training combines rhythmic aerobic exercise with stretching and strength training routines.
Katlego Sidibe, who has been with the boot camp for six months, said: “There is nothing like working out in the great outdoors. You get the benefits of the fresh air and even sunshine if you are lucky. Since I started working out with Mashego and Segooa I have seen great results. I am more flexible and full of energy. I definitely recommend it,” she said.
Boot camps provide social support for those taking part with participants making friends and socialising as they exercise.
“We started exercising to keep ourselves fit and now it has grown into a revolution. We urge people to join; it’s free,” Mashego said.
So grab your bottle of water, put on your gym shoes and make sure you are at the Union Buildings at 5.30pm.
BOOT CAMP SCHEDULE
Monday: Step class – aerobics – stomach exercise
Tuesday: Step class – aerobics – squats
Wednesday: Class – aerobics – stomach exercise
Thursday: Endurance day
Friday: Light aerobics, recovery exercises
Saturday:5km jog from Arcadia to Hatfield
Sunday: Swimming lessons close to the Union Buildings.
For more information call 073 476 1038
Sakhile Ndlazi, Pretoria News