Bodytec: A new way of doing sports in Cape Town

Those who hate the gym will love Bodytec

Why do long workouts if you only need 20 minutes per week?
... reads a new advertisement on a sidewalk in the Foreshore. An interesting question, which screamed for investigation from CapeTownMagazine.com.

While some find jogging along the Sea Point promenade, cycling Chapman's Peak on an early Sunday morning or going to the gym the ultimate relaxing experience, there are some of us who absolutely dread sports. However, at the end of the day we all want to be ‘fit’ and in shape. For those who love avoiding gyms or any physical exercise, Cape Town now offers the ideal solution: Bodytec. 

Bodytec is one of the newest ways of exercising in Cape Town. Last March the first South African Bodytec studio opened on Hans Strijdom Avenue in Cape Town’s Foreshore. Ironically the studio is located between a liquor store and the famous Col'Cocchio pizzeria. 

Exit Power Plate, Hello Bodytec
Where a decade ago "passive athletes' ecstasy became known as the Power Plate, which meant as much as lying down, reading a magazine whilst burning calories," proved to be a rather short-lived euphoria. Exit Power Plate. Hello Bodytec, minimal effort, maximum result. Indeed, it fits the Capetonian lifestyle very nicely.

This doesn’t mean the concept was only recently developed. On the contrary, the Bodytec method has been around for nearly 40 years, but was merely used in the medical world. Boris, the (very fit) German sports instructor who runs the studio – the first in South Africa – clearly is a fan of exercise himself. But, he adds hastily, ‘just for fun, nothing too fanatic.’

The first Bodytec studio opened in Germany over two years ago, and has seen the opening of nearly 60 franchise stores within that timeframe.

Impulse Training
We enter the studio a bit tense, not quite sure of what to expect from our ‘session’ with Boris. The store is white and clean, minimalist. We take off our clothes in the changing room in the studio, and put on the outfit Boris gave us – a tight top and spandex. But that’s not all: the finishing touch to our outfit is a vest with electrodes attached to it. They are interconnected to several core muscles, ‘problem areas’, and ultimately - to the device in front of us.

And so we began. The session lasted for 20 intense, interesting and intensive minutes.

The unique selling point for those people who like to spend as little time as possible in training or exercise, is that Bodytec only requires (and allows!) you to spend 20 minutes a week on the exercise. However, 20 minutes of ‘Bodytec-ing’ is akin to 1, 5 hours of a full body workout in the gym. Although we found it hard to imagine that these 20 minutes with Boris would make us feel as exhausted or rather, physically satisfied as 1, 5 hours in the gym does: it is true.

Out of breath

We were out of breath; sweating and our muscles were screaming ‘we are fulfilled’ after our session. Note that the session in fact isn’t even 20 minutes, since you do an exercise for 4 seconds, and then pause for 4 seconds. Hence: a full body workout in 10 minutes. Lovely. The shower in the changing room of the studio feels well-deserved.

The feeling the device gives you is hard to describe, and difficult to compare with nearly anything. It’s an exciting mix of ‘Chinese bangles’ and standing still on a heavily vibrating stage for a while. Although it’s a very weird feeling the first few minutes, you get used to it quite quickly. And no, it’s definitely not painful, you just need to get used to it. 

The effectiveness of Bodytec lies in the constant impulses your muscles are given by the device and equipment.  Instead of lifting massive weights, you are in fact ‘pushing’ and lifting your own force.  

So here it comes: 20 minutes of Bodytec per week is enough exercise to stay in shape. In fact, you are not even allowed to come more than once a week. "The intensity of the Bodytec workout is enough to last you a week. You should start seeing results (visibly seeing your body changing that is) after as little as three sessions with Boris. These sessions can have a tremendous impact on your performance in other sports.

There are different options regarding subscriptions at Bodytec, for instance 6-months subscriptions, one year-subscriptions or short subscriptions. Costs vary from R800 - R1000 per month.

Good news for people living in the Southern Suburbs a second Bodytec branch has opened in Newlands. Booking is essential as the training is by appointment only. The studios are open from 7:30am to 6:30pm.

Bodytec

Cape Town: The Spearhead Building | 42 Hans Stijdom Avenue | City Bowl | +27 (0)21 418 1523 | citybowl@bodytec.co.za

Newlands: The Kildare Centre | Corner of Kildare Road and Main Road | Newlands | +27 (0)21 671 7936 | newlands@bodytec.co.za

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Prefer the long-lasting physical exercise? Find out where the best gyms in Cape Town are and read about how Bodytec can be used to help your other athlectic activities.

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