Time to train | Ways to stay active in Nelspruit

If you are considering taking up a new sport, or want to start training to get back in shape, Nelspruit has a lot more to offer than what you might think. So whether running is your thing, or you prefer to throw some weights around, there is bound to be some form of physical activity that would get your blood pumping.

By Benno Stander

With such beautiful weather and breath-taking scenery in and around Nelspruit it is no wonder that so many people enjoy taking part in physical and outdoor activities. Around these parts you will never be at a loss for what to do to get you heart rate up. Here are a couple of unique options that we feel is definitely worth considering:

Putting foot

Running will always be a popular recreational activity since it allows you to explore many places while getting rid of unwanted calories. It is also a relatively inexpensive sport to take up and apart from a good pair of shoes and some comfy clothes you don’t really need much. Although you can literally take a jog anywhere, running in beautiful scenery makes sweating away those extra kilos feel like, well, a run in the park.

Ilanga Trails is a Lowveld based organisation that promotes the fast growing sport of trail running. This exciting new form of running is taking the Lowveld by storm and there are events taking place in and around Nelspruit on a regular basis.
Although a bit more technically demanding than road running, there is more than enough reward in the breath-taking views and unique landscapes that you will encounter along the way. For more information have a look at Ilanga Trails’ webpage and be sure to check out our Events & Entertainment guide for upcoming trail running events.

If you prefer treading on more even terrain, and enjoy the company of like-minded individuals, you could always join the Nelspruit Marathon Club. Identified by their gold and royal blue colours, members of this club regularly run, train and socialise together and form a good support structure for those who enjoy road running.

If running is more a casual enjoyment than a competitive discipline for you then you would most certainly enjoy the weekly Halls Parkrun. The run takes place every Saturday at 08h00 at Halls Getaway and is 5km long. Time is kept for every event so you are able to track your progress. For more information check out the Halls Parkrun event entry.

Pedal Power

As far as numbers go mountain biking is probably the biggest sport in Nelspruit and hundreds, if not thousands, of cyclists head out over weekends to get their mountain biking fix. For this reason Nelspruit is very well equipped with venues, clubs and shops to assist with all your cycling needs. Mankele Mountain Biking offers some wonderful routes and various accommodation options so it is easy to turn your ride into a weekend of adventure.
If you are new to the sport or to Nelspruit it might be a good idea to join a local cycling club like the Lowveld Chain Gang to stay on top of events. This way you will also be in the loop with regards to social riding opportunities, tips and training techniques and you will also get a free club riding shirt.

Functional fitness

The art of body training has evolved tremendously in recent years and although there will always be a place for conventional gyms, new types and styles of training centres are popping up everywhere. One such new movement on the scene is referred to as functional fitness training and has taken the world by storm by combining cardio exercises with weight training.
K-Fit in Nelspruit assists members to train their bodies for the activities performed in an active daily lifestyle.
K-fit uses the human body as its own machine to develop and scalp your physique into an even better one by just adding a functional exercise or by putting a kettle bell at your fingertips. Classes are taken in a groups which makes for a great social atmosphere when training.

Fighting fit

Although not everyone’s cup of tea, fighting training is also a great form of physical exercise. There are many different styles and types of fighting ranging from mixed martial arts (MMA), to Karate, wrestling and grappling. Trinity MMA in Nelspruit has hosted many MMA fight nights in the past few years and the sport has definitely gained popularity globally.
Rio Grappling is a relatively new contender and focuses on techniques and submissions
designed to finish a confrontation, primarily on the ground. It is ideal for fitness,
self-defence and those looking to test themselves in competition.
Wrestling is also making a big comeback and the Nelspruit Stoei Klub is doing a lot to advance the sport.

Rapid racing

Rowing is a great way to get fit and build body strength and although just about every gym has a few rowing machines, there are those who prefer the real deal. The Lowveld Canoe Club is situated just north of Lake Longmere outside White River where they have a club house and boat storage facilities. The club regularly organises rowing opportunities at Elands, Crocodile and Sabie Rivers over weekends and have hosted the Lowveld Croc Canoe Marathon more than 50 times.

Take a hike

Although taking a ramble on one of the beautiful hiking trails in the Lowveld seems like a leisurely business, make no mistake as it is no walk in the park either. Hiking is a wonderful past time which will give you a good workout while also showing you some of the most amazing things you would have probably missed when racing at speed.
With so many diehard hiking enthusiasts in and around Nelspruit there is literally a group of people hiking every weekend of the year.
The Lowveld Rambling Club has an amazing calendar every year and visits a wide variety of trails locally and afar. They also arrange weekend hikes from time to time and always welcome new members with open arms.
Eco walking trails offers a close to home hiking experience where you get to explore the Steiltes Nature Reserve with knowledgeable guide, Lood Wentzel.

Underwater hockey

If you enjoy swimming but find yourself getting a bit bored doing laps you might just enjoy adding a bit of competition to the water. Underwater hockey is a fun and competitive sport that takes place in teams of six. It is an awesome and inexpensive way to become fit while having so much fun it won’t feel like a workout.
Calypso Underwater Hockey Club meets twice a week at the Van Riebeeck municipal swimming pool and caters for everyone, male or female, professional or total novice. Join them for a couple of free sessions to get an idea of the sport before joining.