Stellenbosch University’s (SU) Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences recently launched an outdoor gym on Tygerberg campus, with the aim of improving the health and wellness of students.
The gym opened on 22 April, according to Christine Groenewald, project coordinator for the gym.
Erica van Rooyen, a fourth-year physiotherapy student at SU, uses the pull-up bar at the new outdoor gym on Tygerberg Campus. The pull-up bar is her favourite piece of equipment to use, she said. PHOTO: Tina Ddamulira
“Installing the gym was part of the goal to get students out of their rooms more, and staff out of the offices during break times to enjoy the physical and mental benefits of the outdoors,” said Groenewald.
Students have been demanding a training facility from the Tygerberg Student Representative Council (TSR) sports portfolio “every year”, according to Hugh Seton, chairperson of the TSR. The outdoor gym was the best solution, he added.
“[The students] love the fact that it is available with no subscription fee,” said Groenewald. The outdoor gym has unrestricted access times, which is beneficial for the staff and students, said Seton.
Hugh Seton explains the restricted access times at the Maties Tygerberg Gym.
The nine different pieces of gym equipment that make up the outdoor gym were funded by various sponsors, according to Darsharna Moodlier, the current chairperson of the TSR sustainability portfolio.
“I did not mind what piece of equipment to sponsor, as I support any exercise that can improve one’s mental and physical health,” said Prof Marietjie de Villiers, one of the sponsors.
Erica van Rooyen, a fourth-year physiotherapy student at SU, makes use of the chin-up ladder, which was sponsored by Prof Marietjie de Villiers PHOTO: Tina Ddamulira
Erica van Rooyen, a fourth-year physiotherapy student at SU, told MatieMedia that she enjoys using the outdoor gym to “get creative” with her exercises.
“You get to enjoy the fresh open air, and if you can go at the right time, you can catch a beautiful sunrise or sunset while you work out,” said Van Rooyen.
Erica van Rooyen, a fourth-year physiotherapy student at SU, “gets creative” by using a single piece of gym equipment to do three exercises — anchored sit-ups, nordic rolls and banded sprints. PHOTO: Tina Ddamulira