“We started in March in an attempt to get fit,” says Jani. “I hate going to a gym and the Covid-19 pandemic made matters worse. I am not a jogger either, so Carina suggested bouncing.”

 

 Bouncing is a complete exercise programme on a mini-trampoline.

 

The more, the merrier

 

Jani decided to recruit other colleagues and the group has grown to six members.

 

They sometimes exercise in groups of two to ensure social distancing and, as a result of the Covid-19 restrictions, they have been meeting virtually to encourage each other.

 

“Working out with colleagues has been a very strong motivator,” she says. “Team-based exercises build rapport and common ground among colleagues. The colleagues I bounce with say the bouncing group exercises have helped them reduce stress, increase energy, and improve their overall mood. It is a fun way to exercise.”

 

She adds that the key to progress is having fun and easily integrating exercise into your daily schedule, such as making time 30 minutes a day, five days a week.

 

Other fitness activities colleagues can do together include playing softball and hiking. “These can also promote teamwork,” Jani says. “When colleagues can learn to work as a team outside of work, they’ll have an easier time working together as a team during working hours.”

 

Anyone interested in joining the group is welcome to contact Jani.

Trying to get fit on your own can be lonely and demotivating. Working out in a group can be far more rewarding, especially when the people in your group are your colleagues.

Working out together puts the

BOUNCE BACK

Dr Jani Van der Vyver started a bouncing group to encourage fitness among colleagues.

This is the experience of Dr Jani van der Vyver, senior faculty liaison officer from the Faculty of Humanities. Her “bouncing” group was inspired by her dietician, Carina Fourie, an NWU alumna, to encourage fitness among colleagues.

“We started in March in an attempt to get fit,” says Jani. “I hate going to a gym and the Covid-19 pandemic made matters worse. I am not a jogger either, so Carina suggested bouncing.”

 

 Bouncing is a complete exercise programme on a mini-trampoline.

 

The more, the merrier

 

Jani decided to recruit other colleagues and the group has grown to six members.

 

They sometimes exercise in groups of two to ensure social distancing and, as a result of the Covid-19 restrictions, they have been meeting virtually to encourage each other.

 

“Working out with colleagues has been a very strong motivator,” she says. “Team-based exercises build rapport and common ground among colleagues. The colleagues I bounce with say the bouncing group exercises have helped them reduce stress, increase energy, and improve their overall mood. It is a fun way to exercise.”

 

She adds that the key to progress is having fun and easily integrating exercise into your daily schedule, such as making time 30 minutes a day, five days a week.

 

Other fitness activities colleagues can do together include playing softball and hiking. “These can also promote teamwork,” Jani says. “When colleagues can learn to work as a team outside of work, they’ll have an easier time working together as a team during working hours.”

 

Anyone interested in joining the group is welcome to contact Jani.