Ambassadors

My name is Samantha Stander and I am currently studying medicine at the University of Stellenbosch. To most people I might seem like a normal 23 year old, but I was born with a severe congenital abnormality known as Developmental Dysplasia of the Hips (DDH). My parents were told that I would never walk, but on the 23rd of December 1994 I took my first steps and this is where I assume a fire flared inside of me that would not settle until I had defeated the odds. My DDH meant that I would not participate in any sporting activities until my bones had reached full maturity around the age of 16, and even then doing simple tasks such as walking from point A to B or even climbing stairs would become a painful task. I fell in love with fitness in 2014 when a look into the mirror made me realise that first year syndrome was real, but it wasn’t until January 2015 that I started taking it seriously and without hesitation signed up for my first 5k race which would be the same race that later sparked my road and trail running addiction. I set myself a big challenge of completing 15 races that same year and once I achieved that with a lot of help from my friends, I was challenged by Isna Venter to complete 30 races in 2016. Instead of only being challenged to 30 races, I decided to challenge myself to get out of my comfort zone and start trying new things which included obstacle course racing, mountain biking, aquathlon and triathlons. My love for fitness grew as I participated in each event, pushing my body to new limits, experiencing new obstacles and conquering them one step at a time. With each race I continually carried a message with me that “the only true disability in life is a bad attitude” to try to inspire others, both abled and differently abled, that you are capable of anything you put your mind to. My fitness mottos are never settle, never quit and never give up and that the only true disability in life is a bad attitude, because if I had let the label “disabled” or “differently abled” define who and what I am, I would not have been the same person that I am today. I have been blessed to have been continually supported throughout my fitness journey and for that I am very thankful, because each person on my journey has helped mould and shape who and what I am.

I was first introduced to Bright Weights during the final preparations for The Grind’s first event in April 2016 and fell in love with their products on display at the Sweat Factory. I huffed and puffed through my first OCR, but I was welcomed home by both Jannie and Jenna Wessels of Bright Weights who showed me their equipment for both keeping fit and diving. After losing my watch in the Hillcrest quarry, Jannie and Jenna along with a few other divers tried their best to find it, showing how passionate they are about everything they do. During the finals of The Grind’s Indoor Sprint Obstacle Course Race where I had the privilege of cheering on the OCR Elites such as Dominique D’Oliveira, Jay Jay Deysel as well as my friend and cycling partner Jano Venter, I was able to witness first-hand the difference training with Bright Weights’ cross-trainer made. This year I have the special privilege to finally be able to train with my very own Bright Weights! I know that training with a cross-trainer will make my hill sprints on both my mountain bike and running tougher, but worth it and especially help improve my swimming stamina for my first sprint triathlon in September as everything is waterproof. Bright Weights can help anyone train like a pro, no matter what your fitness level may be! I am proud to be associated with such a passionate and enthusiastic father and daughter team like Jannie and Jenna Wessels of Bright Weights.

I am Hanneké Dannhauser one of South Africa’s elite female athletes.

My fitness journey started in 2014 when I did my first OCR ever…definitely the sport for me! It was then that I started to train more obstacle specific! Setting goals and achieving it is probably one of the BEST feelings ever. So needless to say, being healthy and fit became one of my top priorities!

I was very fortune and got to see the world – I visited places I have only dreamed of. Travelling, unfortunately, complicates training routines and schedules, especially if you’re traveling so much and don’t have a lot of equipment options!

BUT then in 2015, I met Jannie and Jenna from Bright Weights and my training stepped up a level or two! This is when I got my very own 6.5kg weighted vest as well as my own cross trainer- which I can pack up and train anywhere. Even running isn’t plain and boring anymore- it is a hell of a workout- and I love it!

My motto in life is ‘Look Up, Get Up, Never Give Up’ because I know what it takes to set and achieve goals – the only way is through Christ who strengthens me! My dream is to at least touch one life through my sport – Bright Weights has definitely helped me to be better than yesterday – not only through their equipment (which are awesome by the way) but also through being the genuine loving and caring people they are! Thank you BW!

Thanks to Bright Weights – I can properly train anywhere any time – I am truly a happier, healthier me!

I am proud and privileged to be an ambassador for this distinctive fitness/equipment brand. Not only are their products unique but they are also funky with their diversity of colures – you can always spot their bright equipment from a mile away!

The Bright Weights team are a group of ambitious, caring individuals that strive to take care of their ambassadors, but do just as much for each of their individual clients.

The great thing about this business is that it accommodates the starting fitness individual, all the way to the top elite athletes. I personally love my weighted cross trainer – I utilize it as part of my obstacle endurance sessions and climbing regime.

I am looking forward to this brand growing and I am so excited to be a part of the Bright Weights family.

Equipment Usage and Benefits Derived From Them:

“The Bright Weights training equipment is a fantastic training system that affords an individual tremendous benefits and advantages with regards to making a worthwhile contribution to improving overall strength and conditioning”

With regards to its specific use and application during training:

During Cardiovascular Training

The chest harness works very well when doing long slow distance training as the increased weight definitely adds to the difficulty level when the intensity is modified according to individual or team training programme needs.

During Strength and Abdominal Training Sessions

As with the cardio training, the chest harness belt was very useful when performing all exercises. And the team derived even greater benefit during training when the wrist and ankle weights were added.

Furthermore, the weight belt proved to be the most useful for all abdominal planking and bridging activities as it demanded a higher level of control by the players.

During Stability Training Sessions

• The chest harness worked well as a training tool during our trunk and hip stability sessions as it demanded the players to display an even higher level of concentration when executing exercises as it required a greater than normal focus on posture and correct technique execution.

Sherman Baatjes – Cape Cobras Strength and Conditioning Coach

Paul Adams – Cape Cobras Head Coach