Champions impart knowledge amidst uncertain times

Homegrown Under Armour Champions Answer Some Health & Fitness Questions During SA’s National Shutdown.

During the uncertain times of the COVIT-19 Pandemic, we sit down with some of the Nation’s greatest sportsmen to ask some hard-hitting questions and absorb some tips on how to keep the mind and body right during this national shutdown phase.

South African Rugby 7’s Captain, Siviwe ‘Shakes’ Soyizwapi andSouth African Professional Boxer and IBO Cruiser Weight Champion, Kevin Lerena impart their knowledge and take us through their tips on nutrition and health as we head intoa new phase in South African history.

Questions & Answers:

Under Armour Athlete: Siviwe ‘Shakes’ Soyizwapi

Q: What are your thoughts on our current situation, how are you feeling with the calls that have been made for our country during this time?

A: “We are in a tough situation as a country and the whole world at large. Dealing with a disease that is quite tricky to handle and is currently spreading rapidly across the globe.

There have been challenges from the citizens of SA in them taking the pandemic very lightly as not adhering strictly to the regulations and restrictions that have been put out, which has been very stressful and I also feel very selfish from their part, but it seems as though people are starting to see the severity of the situation.

The current calls being made are good calls, especially the most recent call to shut down the country is a very good call for us. The call was made before things can get out of control and I believe if adhered to properly could flatten the curve and decrease the spread of this virus.”

Q: How has this affected your training program? Will you be working out at home?

A: “Our training program is in shambles at the moment. Everything that was planned was completely turned upside down. In normal circumstances where we would be together as a team, we have to be away from each other.

Yes, I will be training at home. Even in a personal capacity, I cannot make use of the local gym facilities that I normally would which has affected my strength and muscle endurance. Training at home has tapered down everything in all things training. I cannot make use of school grounds or local fields because the schools have been on lockdown since the 18th of March and nobody is allowed on the premises-including the learners of the school. But with all this being said, I am making use of the space I have at home and I can definitely maintain my fitness, I will not be as strong but I will definitely be at a good level to be able to get back on track as soon as life gets back to normal.”

Q: Could you provide us with a few tips for the general public on how to keep fit and healthy during this time?

It’s 110% possible to stay fit and healthy during this time.

I suggest:

* Body weight training. (Gym)

* HIIT (high intensity interval training)

Q:  Nutritional advice?

1. Don’t drink sugar calories

2. Avoid processed junk food (eat real food instead)

3. Take care of your gut health with probiotics and fibre

4. Drink water, especially before meals

5. Eat vegetables and fruit.

6. Don’t smoke or take drugs, and only drink alcohol in moderation

7. Minimize your sugar intake

Q: What’s your quick 30 min body buster?

HIIT BODYWEIGHT WORKOUT

• 5-minute warmup

DO 3 ROUNDS OF: (18 minutes)

30 seconds – BURPEES

60 seconds – Rest

30 seconds – STAR JUMPS

60 seconds -Rest

30 seconds – PUSH-UP to JUMP-SQUAT

60 seconds – Rest

30 seconds – JUMPING LUNGES

1 ROUND OF: (2 minutes)

60 seconds – MOUNTAIN CLIMBERS

60 seconds – Rest

• 5-minute cool down

Questions & Answers:

Under Armour Athlete: Kevin Lerena

Q: What are your thoughts on our current situation, how are you feeling with the calls that have been made for our country during this time?

A: “It’s a sad time , however the isolation is necessary and needs to be taken seriously if our country looks to progress during this testing time.”

Q: How has this affected your training program? Will you be working out at home?

A: “It has affected me, but a real champion will always find a way! As we speak, I am currently setting up an assault bike from Mifitness in my garage.”

Q: Could you provide us with a few tips for the general public on how to keep fit and healthy during this time?

A: “It is possible to keep in shape and easily so. Follow online training tutorials. I think the key to this isolation is maintaining a good diet because your movements are limited even if you are working out at home. I’ve spotted great online training programs on Instagram.

Q:  Nutritional advice?

A: “Watch your calorie intake, increase proteins reduce carbs and  try work towards that calorie deficit if you looking to loseweight. If you want to maintain then a balanced diet for 21 days is good enough.”

Q: What’s your quick 30 min body buster?

Boxing simple home workout incorporated with body weight and no boxing bag:

• 10 mins of skipping
• 1 min on & 1 min ofburpees.5 sets. Work for 1 min and rest for 1 minute
• 4 rounds of shadow boxing (hit the air, with speed and power) 4 x 3 min rounds, with 30 seconds rests between rounds

End off with a strength/ body weight component:

• Alternate push ups with body squats
• X20 push ups, followed by 20squats. Do this until failure

LET’S GO SOUTH AFRICA

-ENDS-

About Under Armour, Inc. 

Under Armour (NYSE: UA, UAA), the originator of performance footwear, apparel and equipment, revolutionized how athletes across the world dress. Designed to make all athletes better, the brand’s innovative products are sold worldwide to athletes at all levels. The Under Armour Connected Fitness™ platform powers the world’s largest digital health and fitness community through a suite of applications:

UA Record, MapMyFitness, Endomondo and MyFitnessPal. The Under Armour global headquarters is in Baltimore, Maryland. For further information, please visit www.uabiz.com. 

About Apollo Brands 

Established in 2015, Apollo Brands (Pty) Ltd is a sports and lifestyle brand distribution company with a quest to bring global leading brands to the South African consumer. Boasting strong experience in retail, product and brand, the company which is situated in Cape Town offers extensive reach into the wholesale distribution channels and a growing expanse of retail doors. Apollo Brands (Pty) Ltd acquired the distribution rights for Under Armour in January 2016.