Flexing and relaxing

From a struggling massage therapist who needed to waiter to cover costs for her business to an established pilates instructor. Sabine Roberts has paved her own way in the fitness industry. She achieved the comfort of being her own boss through saving every dollar as a waitress to cover her business expenses.

A massage business that started out in Cape Town to a pilates and massage studio that found its home in Windhoek.

With her diploma in therapeutic massage therapy, her initial qualification, she started her massage practice. Over time, her business required more space and saw her sharing space with a pilates studio - not knowing that this would be the start of something new.

“As my business grew, I relocated to bigger premises with a pilates studio. This is where my love for pilates started,” Roberts explained.

Arriving in Namibia, she found her people and niche by working with the elderly, doing post-operative maintenance and working pregnant clients.

She also assists athletes with their needs.

A specialised form of body and mind exercises that boosts one’s mental awareness, physical strength, flexibility and posture, pilates requires a dedication to improving the lives of others. Roberts works with various people to achieve their health and fitness goals.

“It is very rewarding when clients start feeling the difference in their body and overall health. For some, it can be a profound experience and sometimes even emotional,” she said.

Owning a business allows Roberts to be her own boss and set her own working hours. Her days see her working six hours, while being a mother of two.

“Due to the nature of my work, I do work after hours to accommodate most clients who can only come to pilates after their work,” Roberts said.

To be a pilates instructor, one needs to have a qualification from an accredited school or organisation.

“Before considering a qualification in pilates, you should first attend classes to see if this form of movement resonates with you,” she explained.

Good communication skills are an important character trait to help you speak to clients and other health professionals. As a self-employed pilates instructor, it is important to prepare for the future.

“If you do not work, you don’t earn,” Roberts emphasised.

To thrive in the industry, it is important to be passionate about the human body, its functions and how it moves to effectively help clients achieve their goals.

Growing up Roberts was surrounded by a different way of approaching health. Her mother’s career as an alternative healer led her to her love for health and wellness.

She added that she is continuously expanding her knowledge by attending various courses. Her newest venture is obtaining a diploma in facial movement.

Some of her career highlights include serving on the Massage Therapy Association of South Africa for nine years. She also witnessed the Springboks training sessions as a part-time physiotherapist at the Sport Science Institute in Cape Town. “While there, I met many top athletes and worked with amazing physiotherapists and biokineticists,” Roberts said.

The massage therapist and pilates instructor also had the opportunity to accompany a team on the world-famous ABSA Cape Epic by being their massage therapist and second help.