Keeping fit during lockdown

In South Africa we are nearing the end of the fifth week of the first phase of our national lockdown. Virtual fitness events, classes and challenges have taken off. We are helping each other to stay motivated, fit and healthy while being physically distant.

South Africans are a crazy, special and a unique bunch of individuals. The unity that the country has shown so far in combatting the impact of COVID-19 is incredible and we all need to continue doing our part as we are #InThisTogether. The CN&CO team, along with many of our partners, friends and family have joined a few of these virtual fitness get togethers.

We entered the “NO Loskop” Charity Challenge, which helped to raise over R20 000 for the Solidarity Fund.

On Freedom Day we joined the Thandulwazi Freedom Run Family Home Challenge this morning. A virtual run connecting runners and raising funds for the Thandulwazi Maths and Science Academy.

The RMB National Rowing Squad have been pulling together in isolation and have a virtual event planned for the coming week – details will be shared soon as to how you can join and take part in this unique rowing experience. Roger Barrow, the National Squad coach, and his solutionist thinking, something that RMB is well known for too, have been in headlines over the lockdown period as he has kept the rowers motivated with innovative virtual training methods.

“The way you react in times of challenges will determine whether your challenges will weigh you down, or you will overthrow them.”
― Israelmore Ayivor

One of the RMB National Squad Athletes, Kirsten Macdonald, was featured in an article by Women’s Health – How SA’s Top Sportswomen Are Staying In Shape During Lockdown.

Kirsten works out about two to three times a day and says her morning sessions (which she does via Zoom with her teammates) are a lot more controlled and her session(s) later in the day are a lot more flexible.

“My morning sessions are very structured and closely monitored because they have specific goals and outcomes, which are monitored by our coach and physiologist, whereas the afternoon session has a prescribed intensity and duration, but the mode of exercise allows for variety,”

While the RMB National Rowing squad have maintained their training over the last 2 months. RMB have been contributing to initiatives that have been set up to help combat the impact of COVID-19. They are a proud contributor to FirstRand’s SA Pandemic Intervention and Relief Effort (SPIRE).

As we continue to combat the spread of COVID-19, we all have a role to play. Let’s abide by and respect the movement guidelines for lockdown level 4. #InThisTogether.