At 32 years old, 1.75m tall and weighing in at 82kg, Robert du Plessis is part of Trifocus Fitness Academy’s elite #TeamTrifcus. Last week, we sat down with him to discover what makes him tick.
Tell me more about your background in the fitness industry and your journey so far
I started out in the fitness industry through the world of bodybuilding. This was 11 years ago. I was 21 at the time and haven’t looked back since. My aim was always self-improvement rather than to win a fitness competition or a trophy. I have come a long way: I used to weigh 58kg and now – thanks to bodybuilding – I am a healthy 82kg and am enjoying every minute of it.
Tell us more about why you love the fitness lifestyle
Being fit and healthy gives me the self-confidence to take on the world in everything that I do. Living the type of life that I do helps me to achieve my career and life goals.
How has #TeamTrifocus advanced your fitness career and/or passion
The science behind sport and fitness is amazing. The sad thing is that very few people realises this. Being fit is about so much more than just pumping iron. Trifocus Fitness Academy opened the door to the world of fitness knowledge for me . The indepth training gained from #TeamTrifocus will enable me to follow a lifelong passion of mine which is to become a personal trainer.
Which #TeamTrifocus courses did you do/are you doing?
I am busy doing the Personal Training Certification and the Personal Training Diploma through Trifocus Fitness Academy.
What is your favorite exercise and why?
My favourite exercise, without a doubt, has to be tricep dips. The reason? This movement isolates the muscle beautifully and gives it a great workout. Here’s the correct form for the tricep dip:
Preparation For The Tricep Dip
- Sit on the inside of one of two benches. Place these parallel to each other. They must be slightly less than leg’s length apart.
- Put your hands on the edge of the bench and straighten your arms.
Tricep Dip Movement
- Slide your buttocks off the bench.
- Position your heels on the adjacent bench with your legs straight.
- Bend your arms until you feel the contraction in your triceps.
- Slowly straighten your arms until you reach your starting position.
Safety Tips For Tricep Dips
- Be syre to monitor your scapulae and elbows.
- At all times, keep your abdominals engaged.
- Your elbows must remain at your sides udirng the entire exercise.
- Spot at the bar.
- Don’t strain your trapezius muscles.
Check out my fellow #TeamTrifocus team mate, Tanya de Lange, perform the perfect tricep dip:
What is your favourite body part to train?
Without a doubt, my favourite body part to train is my chest.
What is your prefered type of exercise/training?
I prefer the “old-style exercises”, for example bodyweight exercises such as the push-up, squat and lunge. I mostly stay in the eight to 12 rep range and use weights that are not too heavy but I can still feel that I’m lifting something.
How do you stay in shape?
I stay in shape through a manageable, healthy diet. I train four to six times a week. My workouts usually consist of weight training.
Do you have any advice for anyone looking to get healthy, aspiring fitness models or someone thinking of competing?
Make sure that everything you do has a purpose. You need to be passionate about what you do. If this is in place, the rest will be easy. As long as you are getting fit and healthy, or wanting to compete, for yourself – and nobody else – you’ll go far.
What is the most valuable fitness knowledge you have learned from your #TeamTrifocus fitness courses?
Trifocus Fitness Academy, through the fitness courses I have done with them, has equipped me with the valuable fitness knowledge that has enabled me to pursue my passion for fitness.
Which #TeamTrifocus fitness course(s) would you recommend to others, and why?
There are so many courses to choose from at Trifocus Fitness Academy. Each of them have their own unique and exceptional characteristics. This means that my answer would depend on who the person asking the question is, what their interests are as well as their position in the field. As a starting point I would recommend the Specialised Nutrition Course to all. This is because knowing what you eat, and why, is of the utmost importance.
What advice do you have for newbies/people just embarking on their journey in the fitness industry?
All the fitness experts were also once beginners. Keep on taking it one step at a time and never give up. Set short-term and long-term goals to keep yourself on track and to measure your success.
What keeps you motivated?
Other fitness athletes around the world keep me motivate as does looking back on where I started and how far I have come.
What is your favourite motivational quote?
The motivational quote that keeps me going is: “Know your WHY and the NOW will be easy”.