In an effort to get his body into something resembling that of a healthy human being, we have sent iafrica.com Head of Sport, Rob Peters, to Transfit gym in Cape Town to undertake four months of hardcore, personalised training. Follow his journey here!

Body-image issues are not reserved for 16-year-old females. I assure you men have them as well. I am one of those men. So, on Day One of my four-month 'shaping-up' challenge at Transfit (read all about the gym right here.) I was forced to confront one of my greatest fears — kitting off in public.

Okay, so it was just the shirt, and not really in public either. But after months of gross neglect, my body — never exactly one to be compared with that of Adonis — has been transformed into something resembling a pale, hairy, pear.

Not ideal. And certainly not what somebody in sports media should reflect. But there you go — I am out of shape and have a long four months ahead of me...

Once the initial embarrassment fades I am subjected to one of the stranger experiences I have had. Transfit's John Meintjes — who will be 'looking' after me — pulls out an instrument which bears a striking resemblance to a pair of braai tongs, but the only 'meat' being handled here is me... It seems this contraption is used to measure body-fat. Memories of junior school bullies pinching my plump stomach come flooding back at this point.

The point of all this disrobing is not simply an attempt to relive a crap junior school experience, but rather to see where I currently stand — both in weight, shape and fitness. John has the task of prodding and probing me to determine this and in the spirit of transparency I have listed all my measurements below and assessment times below:

Measurements:

  • Weight: 92kg
  • Chest: 105.5
  • Right Arm: 34
  • Left Arm: 31
  • Waist: 103.1
  • Right thigh: 57.5
  • Left thigh: 59

  • You will note the differences between my left and right sides, but while seemingly freakish, I am told this is absolutely normal…

    Assessment times:
  • Push-ups (1 minute): 26
  • Sit ups (1 minute): 26
  • Run (2km): 14.28
  • Row (1km): 3.35

  • Pretty poor, I agree, but then that is why I have been sent here...

    Now, when I first sat down with John to discuss this feature I was immediately struck by how passionate he, and the rest of the trainers, are about their jobs.

    Transfit is goal-orientated and they view their clients as reflection of the work they do. Because of this they expect their charges to put in as much effort as they do.

    So as I climbed aboard the treadmill, with literally nowhere to run but straight ahead, John made it clear to me what he expected and promptly gave me 'the speech'. And while I do not recall his exact words I will sum it up for you: Do not become a poor reflection of the work they do at the gym...

    You see, I am literally their body of work.

    There is no mincing of words at Transfit and considering the size of these chaps I am not about to bugger them around. And to be honest I was happy (sort of) that John and his fellow trainers are preparing to run me into the ground. It's what you expect from a gym that prides itself on results, not pretence.

    By next week I will have completed my first week of training and judging by what transpired this morning — at my first group session — my body is in for a rude awakening.

  • Rob will be tracking his progress in a bi-weekly column so be sure to follow what is certain to be an emotional and amusing journey for our out of shape sports pundit right here on iafrica.com.

  • To contact John Meintjes give him a call on 082 564 8594 or e-mail him at john.transfit@gmail.com

  • To get in touch with Transfit: e-mail them at info@transfit.co.za / or visit their website.


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