Simon Richman
Simon graduated from the University of Cape Town after which he lived and worked in London for 12 years. He joined the British Army (Honourable Artillery Company; www.hac.org) in 1999, and was selected to undertake the Physical Training Instructor (PTI) course run by the Army School of Physical Training. He has trained s an Endurance Instructor, Strength and Conditioning Instructor and Injury Prevention Officer plus is also a Crossfit Level 1 Instructor and a Kettlebell Instructor.
As Operations Manager and head of Instructor training for British Military Fitness UK from 2005 to 2010, he helped grow the company from 850 to more than 20 000 members in the UK and South Africa. BMF is now the biggest outdoor fitness provider in the UK.
He has trained soldiers from almost every regiment in the British Army and civilians all over the UK, New Zealand and South Africa. He is passionate about fitness, health and sport, as well as food and nutrition. He is a qualified game ranger and received his Mountain Leader award in Wales. He has completed numerous marathons and ultra marathons and relishes teaching the enjoyment of running to others. Snowboarding, surf sports, playing rugby for UCT (MC Marais), good beers and friends are also integral to his outlook.
Simon has also worked for White Desert Limited( www.white-desert.com), the world’s premier Antarctic, luxury travel company. He specialised in logistics and can help arrange the trip of a lifetime, for those who are lucky enough to be able to afford it. Otherwise he can advise on expedition equipment, clothing and planning should you need to go somewhere very cold or very wild.
He currently works full time for an energy efficiency company and does the training part time.
“The BMF SA class environment is one of the most exciting, motivating and fun training arenas that I have ever worked in. It’s got a bit of everything, teamwork, partner work, movement and always that element of humour. It’s important to laugh. I love the fresh air, the variation and the feedback and energy from the members. Every class motivates me for the next class and the beer afterwards always tastes better as it’s well earned! Remember, if it ain’t raining , it ain’t training!”
Rob Purves
Rob runs the BMF parter company Citi Fit in Johannesburg. He is passionate about training and is a perfectionist. He pushes his own training as well as his studies to the limit, so that he can deliver great BMF sessions. He takes inspiration from a broad range of sports and training backgrounds; from Parkour, athletics and martial arts to CrossFit and yoga. He is extremely knowledgeable and is a fitness encyclopaedia, his knowledge stemming from the BSC Sport Science Honours degree which he obtained in 2012.
After graduating in 1996 with a BComm from UNISA he joined the insurance industry for six years before heading to London for short career in construction and a slightly longer one in investment banking. After coming to the realisation that banking is no fun, he headed back to South Africa to follow his passion for fitness and sport. He joined BMF SA as an instructor in October 2009 and has managed the Johannesburg area since 2010. He will happily answer any of your training questions. He is also unnaturally dedicated to and gifted at running up stairs!
“Being an Instructor with British Military Fitness SA is without qualification, the best job I have ever had!”
Andrew Patterson is originally from Johannesburg, but has found his true home in Cape Town with BMF! He is passionate about being fit and healthy and revels in the outdoor lifestyle of Cape Town. Andrew competes in as many sporting events and challenges as possible and thrives on being able to share his passion with others. He has been an instructor since 2010 and enjoys the challenge of coming up with unique, fun and challenging ideas which will appeal to all levels of fitness.
“Anybody can make you simply tired. I aim to increase your fitness as well as making you stronger, faster and more flexible as well as having that element of fun. I look forward to helping you take your fitness to the next level. Let the training begin!”
Ben Blumenthal
Ben studied Zoology at the University of Cape Town and did his Honours in Biodiversity & Conservation Biology at University of the Western Cape.
He has been a diving instructor for 8 years and his passion for the underwater world lead him to work in the underwater photographic industry for 4 years.
In his spare time you will find him spearfishing off Cape Point, hoping to catch that elusive Yellowtail while also trying to avoid the men in grey suits with big teeth. Ben also enjoys long distance openwater swimming, having completed the swim from Robben Island to Blouberg Beach (7.5km) three times.
Ben Completed his British Military Fitness Instructor training in the United Kingdom and is one of BMF SA’s most experienced instructors.
During the day he is a Primary school teacher, teaching science & technology to grades 2-6. He has always wanted to be a role model to young people. Imparting the value of living a well balanced lifestyle is key to his philosophy. Teaching them how to keep fit and healthy, promoting an interest and respect for the outdoors as well as respect and love for one another provides him with constant motivation. By night he is a passionate BMF instructor.
“I put a great deal of thought into every class. No class must ever be the same. In this way, our clients will remain motivated. Motivation is the key to enjoying exercise. When my clients are motivated, I am motivated. It’s a win win! I think humour is another great way to keep people coming back for more. When did exercise and fun become mutually exclusive?”
Johan Kamper is a vital addition to the BMF SA Joburg team. He has a Sports Science degree from the University of Stellenbosch and is also a Kettlebell Instructor. He has trained with the British Military Fitness team in the United Kingdom as well as in South Africa and is happy in any weather condition from snow, rain, hail to blazing African sunshine. He is a very experienced instructor and has a wealth of fitness and training knowledge. Johan plays rugby for Pirates rugby club in Johannesburg and takes great pride in his own fitness. He is super friendly and approachable and happy to help out with training advice from beginner level to advanced level.
“I love the atmosphere and attitude of the members at BMF. They work hard and really benefit from the classes, which inspires me to constantly improve and develop different training ideas and methods for each class.
Elke klas is n lekker class! Die enigste class wat nie lekker is nie, is die klas wat jy misloop! Sweet is net die vet wat huil!”
Dane` Steyn is another dynamic member of the Johannesburg training team. She is an ex provincial athlete who lives and breathes physical training. She has immensely high personal training standards and wouldn’t ask you to do anything that she wouldn’t do herself! Her sprinting and athletic background brings fantastic speed, agility and quickness(SAQ) elements to the classes and you will work hard trying to keep up with her!
“Training outside in the group environment is extremely exciting and rewarding for me as there are so many variables. Every time is different. The weather, temperature and conditions in the parks all change, and then the member interaction in each class is different too.
Kry houding in jou gat! Sien julle in die park!”
Ephraim Mkhatshwa is part of the Joburg BMF Instructor team. He has a Sports Management background from the University of Johannesburg. He is passionate about soccer, boxing and Taekwondo.
This sporting heritage brings a vast wealth of Speed, Agility and Quickness to his classes, as well as his own movements. We secretly think that he is part leopard as he is unnaturally fast, agile and supple!
Ephraim has the, “follow me” leadership approach and his energy will definitely get you moving!
“Fitness and training is my absolute passion as you never stop learning. Every BMF class is different and a new challenge. I love the classes and helping people improve their fitness and movement. Let’s go!”
