Get active in Rustenburg – Exercise, Fitness and Activities
It’s Spring and we all have good intentions for this Summer but why does it almost have the same ring to it as New Years resolutions…?
The key to success in living healthy and regular exercise is that one should enjoy doing whatever you choose to keep you fit and healthy. To help you turn a new page I’ve done a little research on some of the popular activities that provide exercise:
Gym Exercise
To join the gym is usually our first step to a healthier lifestyle. It is convenient with different options e.g. weights, circuits, aerobics, spinning or pilates classes and some gyms also have swimming pools, all under one roof.
An added bonus is that it can be quite social too. Meet up with friends and catch up while walking, jogging or lifting a few weights.
The operating hours are usually flexible.
Rustenburg has a number of gym facilities:
Virgin Active: Augrabies Street, contact them on 014 537 3636
Planet Fitness: Lifestyle Square, 196 Beyers Naude Drive, contact them at 014 001 1060
Dancing
Dancing has always been a popular form of exercise. If you enjoy music it is no effort at all to get moving and exercise and tone muscles at the same time. There are a variety of different dance forms to choose from:
Ballet
An artistic dance form that originates from Renaissance Italy and is performed to music, using precise and highly formalized set steps and gestures. An excellent dance form to promote suppleness, coordination and balance.
Hip Hop
Hip Hop refers to street dance styles primarily performed to hip hop music. Main styles include Breaking, Locking and Popping. This dance style is often “freestyle” in nature which makes it very popular with boys.
Jennifer Petersen School of Ballet and Hip Hop provides training, development and education in Classical Ballet and Hip Hop by registered teachers. Registered with the Royal Academy of Dance.
Zumba
A Dance fitness program created by Colombian dancer and choreographer Alberto Pezez.
It provides a total workout combining all elements of fitness, cardio, muscle conditioning, balance and flexibility.
During a 1 hour training session 2000 to 4000 kJ can be burned.
Martial Arts
Fitness is not usually the motivation for people practicing martial arts, but it is definitely an added bonus.
Tai Chi
Tai Chi translates as “supreme ultimate first” and evolved from Chinese philosophical principles. Training involves hand and weapon routines, breathing, movement and awareness exercises, meditation, response drills and self defence techniques.
Thai Chi improves muscle strength, suppleness, balance and coordination and has an overall positive affect on mood and psychological well being.
Karate
Karate is a martial art that has developed in Japan. It is mainly a striking art using punching, kicking, knee strikes, elbow strikes and open hand techniques.
Karate can be practiced as an art, a sport, combat sport or as self defence training.
Traditional karate places great emphasis on self development. It betters stamina, muscle power, speed and suppleness.
For a more spiritual approach to fitness consider one of the following:
Yoga
Yoga is a physical, mental and spiritual practice or discipline which originates from India. It teaches techniques of controlling body and mind. The physical postures of Yoga are used to alleviate health problems, reduce stress and strengthens the spine.
On 21 June 2015 the first International Day of Yoga was celebrated and the event at Rajpath established 2 Guinness records: largest Yoga class with 35985 people and the record for most nationalities participating in it – 84.
Pilates
A very popular physical fitness system developed by Joseph Pilates. He presented his method as the art of controlled movements.
Pilates improves flexibility, breathing, alignment, builds strength and develops control and endurance in the whole body.
Get active in the Outdoors
There are numerous sport clubs in Rustenburg doing a variety of activities eg. running, cycling, tennis, hockey, squash, gymnastics, bowls, swimming, boxing etc. Get in contact with them and get active and healthier.
In Rustenburg we have the advantage of having the Kgaswane Mountain Reserve. It is very popular for early morning or weekend jogs, walks or cycling. There are three hiking trails to choose from, an excellent way of exercising. Read more about the Peglarae Hiking Trail, the Bavianskrans Hiking Trail and the Vlei Ramble Hiking Trail.
Enjoy the beauty of nature, breathe in fresh air and get fit.
Keep an eye out for events to see which great cycling and other sporting events are happening in and around Rustenburg. Read more here.
What ever tickles your fancy, get up and get going – get ready for an active Summer in Rustenburg!