Testimonials

Cindy Botha - South African Women’s Hockey Player

When I first arrived at Flux, Sean asked me to think of writing a testimonial after my first month. I thought I would have to find a bit of time to sit down and think about what to say, but the moment I thought of Flux Fluid Motion and what I have experienced so far, the words just began to flow easily.

I have been through many different programs and trainers, each teaching me something different that I am able to take forward with me. However, Flux Fluid Motion has surpassed all my hopes. From the moment I set foot in their building I felt like I belonged. I am welcomed home and then set out on my new path to my next great heights.

I have been playing hockey for the South African National team for 4 years and as a National Elite athlete am continually striving to be better in different aspects. As the majority of high performance athletes do, I have been plagued by a great number of injuries mostly due to overtraining and no recovery time. Two years ago I tore my labarum, which is the cartilage in your hip, and had to have a hip arthroscopy. Only 6 months later was I back in the National team playing in China. However since my operation my fitness, strength, and core were never quite the same and I was continually working hard to improve these aspects. If it wasn’t my hip, it was an ankle, hammy, the other ankle, shoulder and groin, you name it! I was introduced to Sean and Kettle bell training by my former fitness trainer after he had to relocate and he just seemed to know what I needed. Kettle bell training just finds your weaknesses and works on them without you even knowing… until the next day when you can’t walk that is haha. Even through all the hard work and sessions of death there is still a fun element to it and you always leave with a sense of accomplishment and wanting to come back.

Almost always whilst I am training there is a group session taking place and each and every person is taken care of and developed at their own rate. There is definitely something in it for everyone!

I would also like to thank Sean and Flux Fluid Motion for the unbelievable support, motivation and care through every step of the way, whether I am in the studio with him training or away on tour. I know he is there no matter what. Every athlete needs this. Each well guided and carefully thought out session has made such a difference on my overall performance, physique and strength without gaining mass and ultimately making a difference in my game play.

Very rarely do you find a centre that has such a strong group of trainers who love what they do… maybe it’s because they are doing what they love. Whatever it is, it is evident through them all.

I am looking forward to training more with Sean and Flux Fluid Motion and even when I don’t play national sport anymore one day, I will continue to train here as it is now a part of my life and I love it!

Natalie Veckranges – National High Performance Squad

Since starting with Kettlebell training my paddling has improved as you use entire muscle groups to lift and swing them. Same as when you paddle, you need your shoulder, back and core to all engage when you pull your paddle through the water. Training with kettlebells has helped strengthen those muscle groups as well as muscles I didn’t even know existed.

I have lost a lot of bulk as far as muscles and weight go yet still kept the strength. My overall muscle tone has improved and recovery rates in between races at lifesaving competitions has improved drastically which is very important as an asthmatic.

Last season I finished 7th in the surf ski race at World Lifesaving Championships after going through heats, quarters and semis for two different races back to back before getting to the finals and on the same day finished 8th in the board rescue final.
I finished 2nd Lady in the marine summer surf ski series this year and am currently dominating the the winter surf ski series in the mixed doubles category but giving the men’s doubles a run for their money by finishing in the top 3 doubles overall.
Adding a fun element to racing, I completed 3 of the 4 races in the mudman series and finished in the top placings in all three without much running and cycling training at all.

Kettlebells has helped me gain muscle strength without having to gaining mass or weight and is the perfect exercise for strengthening your core which is very important for all sports.

Justin Thacker - 2010 open SA Championships Body Builder

As a competitive Bodybuilder I’m always looking for new ways to improve and beat my previous best condition. I realize that every year I compete I know the competition is getting tougher too.

In 2009 I decided to break from the tradition of doing conventional cardio on the recumbent bike or the boring treadmill. At 16 weeks out from the Contest I started to train with Sean for just two 20 minute high intensity kettle bell sessions a week. Going into the final 6 weeks of my contest prep I upped it to 3 times a week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) This was without any changes to my heavy weight training regime, strict diet  & SSN supplementation. Helped along by the excellent instruction and motivation Sean gives everyone in the training group, I found the harder I worked during these short intense kettlebell sessions the better my fatloss results became and in effect speeding up my metabolism up.

I can say without a doubt the high intensity kettlebell training I did with Sean was definitely a contributing factor to me being able to achieve the condition I did. And ultimately winning my class in the 2010 open SA Championships.

I personally really enjoyed the group aspect of the training, the variety kept it fun and me mentally stimulated,  helping me forget that I was on a low carb diet!

I would highly recommend it to anyone who wants a fun, great alternative to get in shape…fast!”

 

 

Jason Barber – KZN Men’s Open and South African Mixed Open Touch player

Having trained for a couple of years in various ways trying best to balance aerobic and anaerobic conditioning to play touch at as a high a level as I  possibly could, I have always found limited success in trying to find the right balance. The results I have experienced recently under Sean Temple’s
tutelage have, however, been astounding!

Having torn my Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) in my left knee in late 2009, resulting in me having to undergo reconstructive surgery, and an arduous rehabilitation period lasting approximately 9 months, I was under some pressure to recover my level of conditioning before embarking on my biggest challenge yet, competing in the 2011 Touch World Cup in Edinburgh, Scotland.

One of the major approaches I undertook in this regard was to engage Sean for assistance, and he duly introduced me to the world of kettlebells and functional training. It has opened my eyes somewhat and produced exceptional results in a very short space of time. Core strength and stability, and explosive power are fundamental attributes for any representative touch player, and any improvements in this regard are immediately noticeable when taking the field. Kettlebells and functional training have drastically improved my speed, balance, agility and acceleration, all of which would prove to be invaluable assets to me when competing against the best touch players the world has to offer.

Another unexpected benefit I have discovered is the manner in which Kettlebells and functional training has not significantly increased my muscle mass, whilst still allowing me to improve on my strength and power. A great attribute when having to throw a 30 metre pass, or to remain in control when going into ‘contact’ (a surprisingly essential skill in what is generally considered a ‘non contact’ sport). The benefit of not increasing my muscle mass has also been of great benefit in allowing me to keep my weight down and not having to carry excess muscle around the field with me.

The culmination of my training thus far was undoubtedly being able to perform at my peak during the World Cup itself. South Africa was up against 19 countries in the mixed open division, and we were delighted to walk away with 3rd position after losing to Australia in the semi finals, and then defeating Wales in the bronze medal playoff. My part in this accomplishment was, I believe, made infinitely easier due to my work with Sean during the weeks and months leading up to the event. Having played a daunting 14 international test matches in the relatively short period of just 6 days was extremely tough going, and not only was I very happy with how my body held out, but the level to which I was able to perform was a pleasant surprise. Not only were the various aches and pains that usually accompany such an event noticeably absent, but considering the protracted and less than ideal preparation period due to my injury and subsequent rehabilitation, I was very happy with the level of physical ability I was able to contribute to the team. The highlight of the event for me was undoubtedly being able to maintain my performance throughout the tournament and ultimately being nominated as MVP for the semi final by our Australian opposition, a champion team filled to the brim with players I have long since admired.

Although the World Cup has come and gone, I will continue to utilize Kettlebells and functional training moving forward, as I believe it has allowed me to maintain a competitive edge in a sport where moving into your thirties is often the beginning of the end. Sean has been a great source of motivation for me, and I have found that the training methods he has exposed me to at Flux Motion Gym will continue to allow me to perform to my potential in the sport I love.

Kade Burnett – South African Canoe Polo Mens Captain.

I have been playing competitive canoe polo since 2006 where I first represented the country at the World championships in Amsterdam. Since then I have represented Natal and SA at the highest levels.

Training is hugely important for canoe polo, with strength being just as important as fitness. Games are only 20mins long, but speed and power are everything. I only came across kettlebells a few months before the 2010 World champs in Italy, and since coming back I have really invested a lot of time in training with them and have seen huge beneficial results. In April, I captained Natal to our 6th consecutive SA Champs title beating Gauteng Mens 9-1. Being the team sprinter, I won every start which is a massive advantage to the team, as you can only score if you have the ball. Kettlebell training has helped me reach my goals, that being Player of the Tournament at SA Champs 2011, receiving the Player of the Year trophy at the KNCU prize giving 2011, and has kept me ahead of the competition.

I used to rely solely on heavy weight training for strength but now I have added kettlebell training with my normal gym work outs. I have noticed a 15-20% strength increase in the gym and during canoeing I have felt a huge difference in my starts. I look forward to reaping greater benefits as I continue to train with kettlebells at Flux.