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‘I started gyming to protect myself'

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Some people just personify strength. Fitness junkie Zinhle Masango is one of them. Resident #Trending fitness writer Mohau Mokoena links up with Masango, who started exercising in an abusive relationship, and has now built up a fitness empire.


Pictures: Leon Sadiki

I walk downstairs to finally meet motivational speaker, online fitness coach, NPL supplements and Planet Fitness brand ambassador Zinhle Masango.

Known on Instagram as @Zee_FitnessJunkie, the self-described fitness entrepreneur has a second Instagram account dedicated to the “Yummy Mummy Club”. Masango is a member herself as the proud mother of a son.

After weeks of stalking her on Instagram I find her sitting in the reception area of my office. She’s wearing short white pants – those thighs! – and a sports crop top – lawd, her abs! All I’m thinking is “Tjo tjo tjo, ngwana o wa fisa [Gosh, she’s hot]!”

As we settle into the interview, she explains that she got into working out as a means to protect herself, as she was once engaged to an abusive partner.

“After a couple of incidents, I was like f-this, I’m gonna go to the gym and I’m gonna try to get strong and build myself and fight back. But in no way am I saying the best way to fight violence is with violence.”

While still dating her abusive fiancée, the pair started going to gym together with Masango mostly attending aerobics classes and he’d be at the free weight area. But then one day there wasn’t an aerobics class for Masango to attend, so she joined her fiancée in the free weights area.

“When I started I was only lifting 2.5kg dumbbells – but I enjoyed it,” she says. After more weightlifting sessions the changes to her body started to take shape. In late 2015 she finally broke away from the abuse.

With a tight body like hers people always ask her how long it took her to get to her current physique – all of about 18 months.

“Basically from last May until today,” she tells me.

Despite her rapid transformation, Masango stresses that weight goals are not a quick fix – rather, it’s a lifestyle. Masango lives by the 80:20 ratio lifestyle where 80% of her fitness goes into eating well and 20% into her actual workouts.

But Masango did market her own quick fix in the form of a 21-day fitness plan. Masango decided to stop selling the plan, however.

“It went against what I’m selling, which is a lifestyle. A fitness junkie is someone who is addicted to fitness,” she explains.

Many people have asked her how she managed to get her rock-solid abs.

Masango tells me: “The truth is abs are made in the kitchen.

“People are always like, ‘Oh my gosh, your abs!’ and when I tell them they’re made in the kitchen they would ask, ‘Where is this kitchen and can we have the address,’” she adds with a chuckle.

In fitness, there is a philosophy of giving yourself some leeway at least once a week, and she does give herself the pleasure of enjoying things like ice cream. “I have a sweet tooth and make sure that when I want it, I get it.

“And my coach was giving me grief about it,” she says.

Masango explains that her coach suggested that she rather eat salty stuff than sugar.

In November, Masango will host a Fitness Junkie high tea where guests will discuss beauty, health and fitness. She also has a Yummy Mummy Club event coming up next year.

“This is something that is very close to my heart because I feel that just because you are a mother it doesn’t mean you have to let yourself go.”

And on top of that, she has a workout DVD in the pipeline.

“If things go well in the next three to five years I would like to have my own little boutique gym for celebs,” Masango says.

MamaKhumo (Khumo’s mother) is someone to watch – this woman means business.

  • To check out more on Masango, follow her on Instagram at @zee_fitnessjunkie or visit her website at fitnessjunkie.co.za

Zinhle Masango offered #Trending four of her go-to workouts that can be done quickly. Visit City Press’ website to check out the video of Mokoena and Masango doing the workout

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