Many dream about leaving behind corporate life. Rozanne Woudstra certainly did. After a few decades in the world of business, she made the leap to go all-in on her fave side hustle – fitness. And boy is she hustling (and loving every minute of it).
Not just any kind of fitness though – but the type where you can literally bounce your way to your fitness goals. Yes, we’re referring to the mini-trampoline workout known as rebounding. And if you’re like the majority of people, then it’s probably been a while since you last jumped on a trampoline – and the last time was when you were a kid. But, Rozanne Woudstra adds, it’s certainly no child’s play.
“While it’s fun for people of all shapes and sizes, it’s still a full body workout as it engages all the big and small muscle groups to balance due to the gravitational load. And, just because it’s rather low impact, doesn’t mean it’s not challenging enough for the more advanced athlete. It can reduce cellulite (yes, read that again) and burn calories fast. Jumping boosts metabolism and improves resting metabolic rate so you can burn calories long after a workout.”
Rozanne has always been a fitness fanatic. As a youngster, she loved gymnastics, even representing South Africa in a few countries around the world. Unfortunately, she suffered a career-ending knee injury during her second year at university. To say she was devastated is putting it mildly. But not even this could stop her from being the busybody she’s always been. She just had to be more careful of the type of exercise she does.
“I’m pretty much up for anything, haha. Going to the gym, grid workouts, netball, CrossFit, cycling, running, hiking, tennis and squash. I’ve also completed two 947 Ride Joburg Cycle Races, two Cape Argus Cycle Tours and an Iron Man Challenge. Everything in moderation. But, when it comes to my daily workout, I only stick to rebounding as it has so little impact and I can do it hurt-free.
“The best part? I get to introduce others to this low-risk, low-impact exercise. I found that lots of women have never heard of it or have never done it. I believe there are women who try to, or want to, stay fit but don’t really know how or where to start. And I just love helping them find something that works for them in an environment where they can feel safe and comfortable to reach their fitness goals.”
While she loves being on her feet and on the go, Rozanne admits that she doesn’t believe in any extremes, highlighting the importance of a balanced lifestyle. For this Bounti Certified instructor, it’s simple. Balanced meals with as little as possible unhealthy snacks. Lots and lots of water. And perhaps a little extra exercise for those over-indulgent days. In Rozanne’s case, too much condensed milk.
When she isn’t at her fitness studio, she will most probably be found at home in casual jeans and slippers. There are also few things better than relaxing with her husband, Theo, and friends and family around the braai with a glass of wine. One thing that might top such a get-together is camping and exploring new places with Theo and their kids, eight-year-old Lané and five-year-old Siebren.
An early bird, Rozanne’s fave part of the day has to be waking up and seeing her beautiful kids first thing. She admits that her whole day just doesn’t feel right if she hasn’t seen them in the morning before school.
“Before anything else, I’m a mom. And I so desperately want to be a worthy role model to our children, especially our daughter. And I’m so blessed to have my hubby, family and friends as my support system.
“It will forever be my goal to mean something positive in people’s lives. I want to help others and make an impact, whether it’s through rehabilitating an injury, fitness, weight loss, self-confidence or mental wellbeing – I want to be there to help and support them every step of the way.”
Whether she’s jumping for joy, or running after her little ones, one’s thing’s for sure – Rozanne will always have a spring in her step, giving life her all.
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Fun workout ideas for Spring
Spring is a time for new beginnings. For lots of people, it means getting back into shape after the Winter hibernation. While some people might head outdoors for this, others have limited access to the outdoors or prefer indoor exercise. Don’t worry if this is you, there are lots of different ways to add to create a healthy lifestyle and enjoy an exercise regimen in the comfort of your own home.
Rebounding You can buy your own Lisa Raleigh Rebounder for your home or join a Bounti Certified rebounding studio in your area. Starting a workout programme that is way too difficult from the get-go, isn’t enjoyable for anyone.
HIIT Workouts are a great way to get in shape for spring. This vigorous physical activity is typically short but intense and can be done indoors with very little equipment. You can HIIT anywhere – at the gym, at home, or even in a park. HIIT workouts are also great because they can be tailored to any fitness level.
Get the whole family involved If you have a family, there are many ways to exercise together. What’s more, kids learn by example, and if you exercise as a family, you are setting a great example for their future.
Hiking is a great workout exercise for getting fit in spring because it combines cardio and strength training. You can hike on trails of varying difficulty, so you can find the perfect challenge for your fitness level. Make it as long or as short as you want, and you get the benefit of seeing all the beautiful scenery that comes with hiking in the countryside.
Gardening Love multitasking? Why not try using your time gardening as your workout? Spring is the best of the year for yard work and it’s actually great exercise that will get your heart rate up and use muscles in the whole body. Regular gardening can definitely be an excellent outdoor workout. Remember fitness is more than just a workout, it’s a lifestyle!
6 Ways to get back into exercising this Spring
Ditch the all-or-nothing attitude You don’t have to spend hours in a gym or force yourself into monotonous or painful activities you hate to experience the physical and emotional benefits of exercise. A little exercise is better than nothing.
Be kind to yourself Research shows that self-compassion increases the likelihood that you’ll succeed in any given endeavour. So, don’t beat yourself up about your body, your current fitness level, or your supposed lack of willpower.
Check your expectations You didn’t get out of shape overnight, and you’re not going to instantly transform your body either. Expecting too much, too soon only leads to frustration. Try not to be discouraged by what you can’t accomplish or how far you have to go to reach your fitness goals. Instead of obsessing over results, focus on consistency.
Start small, build momentum A goal of exercising for 30 minutes a day, 5 times a week may sound good. But how likely are you to follow through? The more ambitious your goal, the more likely you are to fail, feel bad about it, and give up. It’s better to start with easy exercise goals you know you can achieve.
Make it automatic with triggers Triggers are one of the secrets to success when it comes to forming an exercise habit. Research shows that the most consistent exercisers rely on them. Triggers are simply reminders – a time of day, place, or cue – that kick off an automatic reaction. They put your routine on autopilot, so there’s nothing to think about or decide on.
Reward yourself People who exercise regularly tend to do so because of the rewards it brings to their lives, such as more energy, better sleep, and a greater sense of well-being. However, these tend to be long-term rewards. When you’re starting an exercise program, it’s important to give yourself immediate rewards when you complete a workout or reach a new fitness goal. Choose something you look forward to, but don’t allow yourself to do until after exercise.
• Text: ALANICKA LOTRIET. • Photographer: EMPIRE PHOTOGRAPHY. • Hair and makeup: EA ACADEMY.
