Curtsy lunge for the queen of fitness. She reigns over SA’s gym scene with her high energy workouts, she’s got charisma that can’t be beaten and she’s inspo on all levels – body, mind and spirit.
MAPULE NDHLOVU STANDS IN FRONT OF ME WEARING HER SIGNATURE LYCRA AND SNEAKERS AND SAYS, “I’M NOT READY.” I’M CONFUSED. “I’M NOT READY FOR THE COVER. I’M EXCITED. AND I’VE ALWAYS WANTED THIS. I’VE DREAMT ABOUT THIS. BUT I DON’T THINK I’M READY,” SHE SAYS, SHIFTING FROM SIDE TO SIDE, GRINNING. WE’RE AT THE GYM, OF COURSE – THE EXCLUSIVE VIRGIN ACTIVE COLLECTION ALICE LANE CLUB THAT SERVES AS MAPULE’S FAT-FIGHTING OFFICE – AND HER ALLEGED TREPIDATION DOESN’T FIT. SHE'S BECOME ONE OF SA’S MOST FAMOUS FITFLUENCERS AND, AT JUST 28, SHE’S TICKING ALL THE BOXES OF A CELEBRITY PERSONAL TRAINER: IMPRESSIVE CLIENT LIST, OVER 95K INSTA FOLLOWERS AND COUNTING, THE BODY-FAT PERCENTAGE OF A PRO ATHLETE, KILLER ABS AND ENVIABLE CURVES. NOT READY? MAPS WAS BORN READY. SHE’S AN UNRELENTING, VIBRANT BALL OF ENERGY. FROM THE WAY SHE WALKS TO THE WAY SHE JUMP SQUATS.
Definition of fitness
It was that energy that won Maps our inaugural Women’s Health Next Fitness Star title in 2016. Her unmatched creativity, fearlessness and positive vibe set her apart for the judges. And turned her into the star the SA fitness scene had been waiting for. Over the past two years, Mapule has gone from a gym PT with a couple hundred followers to an Insta sensation and fitness celebrity. People can’t get enough of her next-level compound workouts, including gravity defying burpees and superhuman feats of balance and strength.
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