Testimonials

These are the success stories of some of our amazing members who have shared their experiences and results with us.

Jaquoline ​
“I am a mom of two kids. I used to be okay with my weight, but after my second child, I gained a lot of weight and felt self-conscious about my body. I started covering up more and eating more comfort food. I was unhappy and embarrassed about how I looked. This is when I started judging myself, having negative body issues and not loving myself anymore.
 
My body was gone. I had gained so much more than with my first pregnancy and could not get the kg to drop.
I was so negative about myself, I just bought new fitting clothes, now a bigger size of course. I felt optimistic for a while because I looked good again with the new loose-fitting clothes. I was okay for a time accessorizing, embracing being a mom, and just having to deal with the fact I had kids, and this is now “me”. The positivity lasted only a while, and the compliments regarding new clothes also faded. I just started covering up more, hiding away more and more of my body underneath bigger-sized clothes that fit and looked better (I might even say trying to develop a better sense of style).
 

I also started eating a lot more, I have already gained so much weight, so I am already big, I might as well eat another burger and have that second dish of pasta (Basically comfort eating). I loved saying I love food. Who does not love food?

 

I was now not okay, not coping, embarrassed and ashamed of how I let myself go as a wife to my husband and as a woman for just having to accept this is now me. I know Lizani personally through family. I saw her personal progress and dedication after having two kids of her own. I saw other women’s results and wanted what they had achieved. I wanted to look and feel good again, regain my confidence, and be more than just okay. I wanted to be happy again because, with body issues, I was unhappy, this also started to affect my relationship, and I wanted back what I had before.
I signed up for the May SWEAT challenge. I made the mindset to take a bit of time for myself, just 30min a day, that I do something for me, not for the kids, not for my husband or the house, JUST FOR ME. I reckoned that If I didn’t take the time for myself, nobody would, nobody could be me, and the change won’t just come by itself. So leading up to the challenge, I already started changing my thinking. If I did not make this mental move, I would not be able to get through this. I even instructed my husband and said I want and need to do this. I also noted that no matter how hard it gets, he better motivate and encourage me because I know myself. If I feel like skipping a day and he says that a day won’t hurt, I will give up and not complete the challenge, so his support must be constant – he cannot allow me to back out and not show up every day.

 

Then the challenge started. I was so demotivated about the eating plan. I so loved food, and now having to control what I eat; I did not think I would manage. The first few days were difficult. I complained every day during the first. My husband had to deal with me . He really took our pre-challenge talk seriously and said to get over it; I have been doing it for a week, so there are just 5 more to go. From having him not feeling sorry for me, I got over myself and back into the mindset that I am the only one that can do this for ME; nobody else will do this for me. I need to do the work to get the reward.
It sounds as though my husband was harsh, but he supported me because he knows me so well, knows it is what I wanted, and knows all of my triggers and buttons. He helped me in a way I needed him to that was right for me. The SWEAT classes were terrific; I loved it. I loved Lizani, always motivating me, constantly pushing, always encouraging me, and those check-in sessions to compare and actually see the difference from photo to photo also helped a lot in my progress, later pushing me to exercise every day, not having that cheat meal during the week. I pushed and went all in for myself. I wanted to drop about 10kg. I lost 6kg at the end of the challenge. After the challenge, I continued training and eating better, even dropping another 2 kg.

 

Then the holiday came. I was back to myself, thinking I was okay now.

 

 The holiday did not go so well. I did not go to the gym, the kids’ excuse, I did not eat healthily, and I did not sleep well. Exercising daily during the challenge made me feel good, and it made me sleep like a rock at night. It was really the best sleep I have had in a year, and now it was gone again, and so was the confidence. My husband really kept on motivating me, so I decided to make exercise part of my daily routine again. I kept on showing up and taking it day by day. If I missed a day, I did not beat myself up about it anymore, tomorrow I’ll go, and I’ll show up again because life happens, moments happen, kids happen, but it is up to me to show up for myself, and if I slip a day it is okay, I am human, I am a mom, but I must be the first always to back myself. This is something that really is so important to me, I do the work, and I get the results. I just needed to do this for me and no one else. Now I am happy, I am positive, and I feel good. I used to cover up my body and probably will still try wearing something over the bikini this year as a habit, being self-conscious and all, but I really hope I will not.
 
 
I hope to have the confidence to say I have worked hard for this body; I once wished to have the body I have now and be proud to wear that bikini. I deserve it!”
Carla

“It all began with a Back-a-buddy in December 2022. I always complained to my friends about having no energy until one of them dragged me to a Sweat class.

I won’t lie…It was hard!!!

Sometimes I would ignore her calls because I knew she would ask me: “So, are we going to the 16:30 or 17:00 class?”

I am a cancer survivor who was diagnosed 4 years ago. After chemo, I indulged in everything that I couldn’t eat during treatment. My routine was sleep, eat, repeat. But now I am in remission, and I can say that I kicked cancer’s butt!

After joining Sweat classes, I gradually felt the difference in my body and mind. After a few months of sweating it out, I decided to challenge myself more and joined the six-week challenge.

Even though the scale didn’t change much, the measuring tape did!! The best feeling was getting those old jeans from the top shelf and putting them on without lying on the bed or holding my breath. 👖❤

It’s been eight months with Grip & Rip, and I still struggle with burpees – but hey, I am a menopausal granny with one kidney and half a lung removed.

You are worth more than you know. Capable of more than you think. And loved more than you can imagine!”

Deon

“It was a massive privilege for me. I must say was swept off my feet when i found out I was the winner. My first plan wasn’t to win. It was for myself, for motivation, to get back into the rhythm of things. I was in a bit of a stop-start situation regarding training. I would go once or twice a week and then skip two weeks.
My wife and I started doing it together. She was committed to Sweat since last year, I started in October, and then I expressed my interest in the challenge to Lizani.
The meals were set up nicely, and it was sustainable. I didn’t feel like I was on a rabbit diet, if I’m allowed to call it that, just greens, tomatoes and fish – I hate fish. But she sent me something I could integrate into my lifestyle.
We are actually going to carry on doing the meal plan going forward. It is something we can easily keep on doing.
I’m privileged to be part of what we call the 4 pm squad; it’s myself, my wife Maxine, Madeleine, a few other ladies and then Hein and Ewald. We formed a kind of small family, checking on each other if we didn’t make sessions and so on.
I would recommend this challenge to anyone to get that boost.
I weigh now what I weighed when I was playing rugby, a nice goal that I set for myself – the hard goal now is sustaining the results.
I would recommend this to anyone who needs motivation, Liani motivates me all the time The sessions are awesome, and the vibe is nice. It’s hard, but in those 30 minutes, I clear my head.
Lastly, I did this because my sister-in-law, Chantel van der Merwe, and my brother-in-law, who is also my best friend, had a big heartache in the family when Anke passed away – their 10-month-old baby girl. She was almost like our child; we loved her so much and will always love her.
Then Chantel just gave us this motivation. Because she did it, she just put all of her emotions and everything into the training.
I thought, if that baby girl could fight for 10 months, what gives me the right not to do my best? To not get up, eat right, train and do it.
That was my motivation.
I think Chantel lost about 30kgs, and just looking at her is motivation in itself. The positive person she is, putting her emotions into the training sessions. She is an amazing person, and I must say she motivated me a lot to get into this.
I’m privileged to be part of it”

Chantel

“Our daughter was born in October 2021, she fell ill, and we spent 10 months in the paediatric ICU with her. Unfortunately, in August 2022, she passed away. Liver failure. Naturally, living off fast food in a hospital for ten months takes a toll on your body. I had gained a lot of weight and had done virtually no physical exercise for the entire time.
After her passing, I decided to put all my energy into getting healthy and living a full life in her honour! She was so tough and fought so bravely – a true inspiration!
So, in January, I joined the Grip & Rip family. The team, as well as the other members at Grip and Rip, have been second to Saints; I have had endless support! The classes have become my daily therapy sessions. The sense of accomplishment after a particularly tough session is the best feeling in the world.
I can’t thank you all enough!”

Bianca
🥀 DEPRESSION & SELF HATE
 
This is something a lot of people struggle with.
Since high school, I used to hate myself, thinking I would never be good enough. My first child was born, and he gave me a reason to live. After my third child, I felt the depression coming back, having stupid thoughts because I hated the body I was in. I pulled myself away from my husband, thinking, how can he be with me looking like this?
Then a friend invited me to a sweat class at Grip & Rip.
(Please note that I hated any form of exercise).
My husband got home and found me in gym clothing, asking where am I going. I told him a friend had invited me, but I don’t think I am going. He asked me to please go and make time for myself. The first class was tough but I fell in love with it. Seeing the changes in my body and getting stronger each day just motivated me more and more.
Grip & Rip became a family; nobody feels out of place. Everyone has a sense of belonging. Coach Lizani believed in me, helped me, and motivated me every step of the way. Today I am proud that I pushed through. Negative thoughts became positive. I can enjoy time with my kids.
They just love that mommy can run and play with them. ❤
My husband and I are closer than ever because I have more confidence and love my body. When times are tough, dare to be tougher!!
 
Jeandre
“When I started at Grip & Rip, I weighed 130kg.
Currently, I weigh 95kg…and this is just by exercising 😎 GO and give it a TRY. I promise you, you will never regret it!
I started doing CrossFit just over a year ago because my wife didn’t stop nagging me to join, so I did….🤷🏻‍♂️ just for some silence in my ears 😏 And ever since I started, it’s like I can’t get enough!
Before CrossFit, I didn’t do any form of exercise😵. Seeing how my body has transformed keeps me motivated. Not to mention the awesome coaches and friends you meet keeps you on your A-Game.
Come and join today!! The first 2 weeks will be rough but O’ so worth it!”
Kyla

“What a journey so far!

It has been two months since I started this life-changing journey of eating healthy, exercising, and making a huge mind change! Attending 30min sweat classes has given me the platform to do so. If it wasn’t for Lizani’s encouragement to start the sweat classes, and the support of the awesome coaches, I don’t think I would have been able to push through, let alone have the confidence to start.

After school, I started gaining weight and then had two babies within two years, the first being a Vitalab baby, so I am gaining extra weight with all those treatments as well. After having my kids, I never in a million years thought I would be able to lose weight again, I tried so many times, but after a week or two, I would start with all my old habits again. This has not been an easy journey or an easy walk to walk. Some days are much easier than others, some days I want to grab anything to eat, and some days I do not feel like going to the gym, BUT then I look myself in the mirror and tell myself, YOU HAVE TO GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER!

This time I AM IN CHARGE, not my cravings or my body!

It is so worth it, and with the right support group, it is so much easier!! This is just the beginning of my new life! Thank you, Grip n Rip, Sweat and the Sweat community, for helping me achieve my goals.”

Adriano
“I am Adriano Jacobs and I am 13 years old. I used to work out with my mum at home before I started coming to Crossfit. I must thank Kyle, PJ and Lyzanie for training me. But I mostly thank my mother for pushing me to exercise and eat healthily. If it wasn’t for her I wouldn’t have lost all my weight. Thank u!”
Nokwanda

” I started my journey in August of last year. I have a colleague who was a member for a long time. She was telling me about the Sweat challenge which sounded interesting. At that point, I had been feeling uncomfortable about my body. I’d been feeling heavy, I didn’t like how my clothes fit, and I wanted to do something to regain positivity about my body.

I was sceptical about the 8-week challenge at first because I had been a member at a gym before for a year, but I hated exercise, I do enjoy running, but I wasn’t getting the results I wanted.

I decided to join anyway.

Then, two weeks before the challenge was set to start, I got COVID. So, I wasn’t feeling too well. Lizani reached out and asked if I was ready and I said I wasn’t sure. She was really concerned about me, she asked if there was anything she could do, she actually genuinely cared. She even offered to get me groceries since I was in isolation. My colleague had told me that there is an amazing community at Grip n Rip and that it’s not just a place that she works out at but, I didn’t think it was all that serious. I got to see it first hand, they care about you as an individual.

I overcame my COVID, felt better, and decided to take up the challenge.

On my first day, I was nervous, we were getting our meal plans and explaining what we would need to do, she was so helpful and considerate, and gave us some great advice, especially to those who had dietary restrictions and preferences. She really always made herself available, and she was incredibly helpful.

I remember a couple of weeks into the challenge I started really seeing and FEELING a difference in my body and that just gave me such encouragement and such a push to keep going and keep doing this. Everyone in the class is rooting for you and giving you support.

For me, it didn’t end at the challenge, I had to carry on❤. I’ve been a member ever since. I absolutely love it and I always think now, that if I were to leave this place, not having my Grip n Rip gym would break my heart. The CrossFit classes are so involved with you and genuinely want to see you excel and do better. I would encourage everyone – actually I have been telling EVERYONE to join. Honestly, it’s so amazing, the classes really do give you such a benefit.

It’s been 8 months and I have to say I love it more every day, every session. I don’t see myself ever wanting to stop.”

Marne

“Why Crossfit? Most people ask me that question. So, let me explain why….

After graduating High school, I lived a super unhealthy lifestyle. I ate takeaway after takeaway🍕🍟🍔, looked for every excuse in the book not to exercise. From 2014 to 2019 I gained 30kg. I was so uncomfortable and unhappy in my own body. My confidence was completely gone. I felt uncomfortable and disappointed for letting myself get to that point. I hated the person in the mirror. I told myself, YOU ARE FAT, do something and you know sometimes the truth hurts and we need to hear it and admit it to ourselves to make a change.

I tried every weight loss product that you can think of, and no – squeezing lemon in your water doesn’t help 😂😉 I knew these weight loss products would not help and I needed to follow a balanced diet, and exercise regularly to achieve my goals. I will never forget the day I contacted PJ van Zyl (owner) and asked how CrossFit works and what the hype is all about. PJ told me to come and join one class on a Saturday morning and he will discuss everything with me, I was so scared and thought to myself, I am too unfit and unhealthy for this🥺, people will judge me and laugh at me.

Driving to CrossFit I remember PJ WhatsApped me that he is on his way, and I thought to myself maybe I must bail out of this one and leave it to the fit people, but something in me told me just go and do it.

Thank goodness for that little inner voice.

PJ was so nice to me showed me everything and introduced me to everyone and it turned out, that when you walk into CrossFit, YOU LEAVE YOUR EGO AT THE DOOR. everyone was so nice. After joining a lot of classes people told me to be careful – “you will fall in love with CrossFit and then you are hooked” … and that is very true, it becomes part of your lifestyle. In my whole journey, I got a lot of negativity that had me in tears. I realized that no one is actually proud of you, it’s YOU AGAINST YOURSELF. And you be PROUD OF YOU. I’m busy reading a book on David Goggins – CAN’T HURT ME – and he said in his book – use people’s negativity to FUEL YOU AND SHOW THEM WHAT YOU ARE MADE OFF.

I really hope my story can inspire someone. I’ve only been doing CrossFit for 8 months and lost 18kg in total. My secret… CONSISTENCY, showing up every day, Monday to Saturday. Keep showing up even on the days you don’t feel like it.

A few tips – I downloaded MyFitnessPal to log my calorie intake and I keep an eye on what I’m eating, drinking 4-liter water every day, and putting my health first. You become part of an awesome community and a great support system.

I want to thank everyone at Grip and Rip Crossfit for believing in me and pushing me to do my very best. Trust me, you get stronger every day and will be amazed at what your body can do, take that step in starting your CrossFit journey today. The burden of never trying is heavier than the barbell will ever be. 💪🏻

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