Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Maintaining fitness through lockdown
While enjoying downtime, athletes continue to train, writes Nathan Adams
FOR a sports-mad country, not being able to exercise or go to the gym was a harsh reality of lockdown and for professional sportsmen and women it was no different.
For these athletes, life as they knew it came to a standstill in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. Keeping fit was the main priority and doing it at home meant they had to do it in isolation.
Long distance marathon runner Nolene Conrad was training for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics when lockdown started and her preparations ground to a halt.
“We were quite stressed about the Olympics, whether it would take place at all,” said Conrad.
She would usually be out pounding the road three times a day but she said she focused on strength training at home during lockdown.
“I was returning from an injury so I needed more time and the strength training was beneficial for me.”
Keeping mentally fit is also a key part of success for athletes.
“I thrive on challenges and in the first few weeks of lockdown I was mentally in a good place… I work with a non-profit organisation with Elana Meyer so I have to keep the young athletes in a positive space and help them with their mental well-being as well,” added Conrad.
The 2018 winner of the Two Oceans Half Marathon said the uncertainty of when marathons would return made preparation difficult but the athletes were remaining fit and positive.
Springbok Sevens rugby player
Ryan Oosthuizen and his teammates had just returned from Canada when the lockdown started and he was forced to stay at home in Brackenfell.
He said: “I don’t think anyone was prepared for the lockdown and especially for how long it’s been.” Oosthuizen has stayed fit at home.
“You just have to be creative, go jog now, do sprints, weight exercises are the way to go.”
He said the team have been staying active, and training at least four times a week.
“Some of the guys are more privileged and have home gyms, the rest just make do,” he added.
Oosthuizen said there might be a lot of uncertainty about when the Sevens’ tournaments would restart but he was positive about the future on the rugby field at home.
“There’s still a lot of uncertainty in terms of the tournament and my wedding was planned for October when the season would have been done and now we don’t know when it’s going to start.”
Cape Town City soccer player Fagrie Lakay has also been taking a pause.
“Lockdown has been boring but at least I’ve been able to spend time with my family.”
Lakay only moved back to Cape Town late last year and said lockdown has its ups and downs but he’s been able to reconnect with his loved ones.
“I miss football a lot but I get to spend more time with my son.”
The footballer has been keeping fit. “I believe for you to stay fit you need proper training with the team and game time.”
Lakay said the Cape Town City team has been staying positive and the players are making sure they stay in touch.
“Fortunately for us, we have the Zoom app, so we follow the fitness trainer and we all get to exercise together,” added Lakay.
Professional athletes and sportspeople are all facing an uncertain future after the lockdown but many have made sure they remain fit for when they return to the field and pitch.