The Durban University of Technology’s Human Resource Department held its weekly ‘Spring into Shape Challenge’ for DUT staff members at the Squash Building in Steve Biko Campus.
The ‘Spring into Shape Challenge’ is a weekly programme where they have aerobics, zumba and other exercises which take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays as part of the DUT Staff wellness programme. This challenge will not only benefit the physical appearance of staff but also serves as a potential, effective intervention strategy to reduce work-related fatigue, as well as to enhance employees abilities to cope with work stress.
The project is in its second year after its success in 2016. This year, this programme started on 12 September 2017 and ends on 9 November 2017.
According to fitness trainer Wandisa Thusi, the DUT staff are very keen and attendance is good as they are always different people to work with and their consistency is encouraging.
“This is my second year of working with the staff at DUT and this is a good project because the level of attendance is always excellent which shows that they need to do this, especially women, who are very energetic and I can see the changes in their bodies. They are losing weight and working hard towards the body they want,” he said.
For DUT staff members, this task has also given them a platform to get to know one another and interact because there are many departments in the institution with various staff members that never get the opportunity to meet in a non-formal gathering.
DUT staff member, Uveer Kalidin from the department of Financial Accounting has been part of the challenge since it commenced. “I have been enjoying the classes and it has been helping us to basically exercise and understand how our body works. We have been exposed to various exercise techniques, but most of all it is motivating to be with other staff members and lose weight in this journey together,” said Kalidin.
Pictured: DUT staff members with personal trainers, Wandisa Thusi and Thembeka Mkhize, during the fitness session.
Nomfundo Ngcobo
