Woman of strength

Mattie Bonne, a personal trainer at Virgin Active Thornhill is one of a few women to take part in arm wrestling and strong man challenges.

“Fitness and sport is a passion for me and it has been part of my life since I can remember,” says Mattie, who also teaches spinning, kickboxing, aqua, step classes, bootcamp and body conditioning classes.

She grew up in Zimbabwe and was an athlete in school. “From there I just continued into a sporting career in the 80’s.” Mattie believes it is important for people to get some sort of exercise. “Exercise keeps you healthy and can prevent diseases like diabetes, heart failure and even cancer,” she explains.

The past few years Mattie achieved several sporting goals:

• Arm wrestling: won both arm wrestling competitions she took part in.

• Aerobics: took part in three aerobics competitions and won in her division all three times;

• Strongman challenges: competed in two and won the female division both times.

According to Mattie, women aren’t as fragile as everyone believes. “I train men and women and most of the time the women can go just as far as men. Women just need to believe in themselves.” Mattie sees herself as still active when she is 60. “Physically I will be older, but my body and my fitness will still be the same. I still want to be youthful at that age,” she says.