Here at WH, we have long believed that now is the best time to achieve your fitness goals. A stumbling block? Stick to your exercise plan if you feel cold, sleepy, and generally moody. But achieving your fitness goals can be much easier with a best friend. We tapped our fit squad, Caitlin Hood and Mapule Ndhlovu, for their tried-and-tested tricks for tackling the fitness challenge from group chat to the finish line.
Fitness goals, getting to know social fitness
Let’s play a word association game. Hyrox. Marathons. Steeplechase racing. Relay. Ball sports. What do they all have in common? They are all team sports. The Evidence: Marathon runners use pacers to maintain a consistent speed. Over 50% of Hyrox participants take part as a team. According to registration statistics, steeplechase racing relies heavily on group participation. And no one kicks a ball around alone.
Friends clearly have advantages. And since South African women are among the least physically active in the world, could applying peer pressure be the key to success? Science says yes. Studies show that women who exercise in groups are 45% more likely to report good mental health.
Research also shows that people who have support from family and friends are more likely to stick with their exercise routines. But with a long list of life requirements, statistics are only of limited help in achieving your fitness goal. That’s why we reached out to the experts – trainers, racers and their partners – to reveal the secret spice that keeps the fitness pact alive.
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How Caitlin Hood and Mapule Ndhlovu joined forces to achieve their fitness goals
The goal: Hyrox double
Secret sauce: their fun-loving bond
When WH cover stars Caitlin Hood and Mapule Ndhlovu signed up for the Cape Town Hyrox, they only had a week to prepare. To us mere mortals this would feel like a death sentence, but for these elite athletes the real test was not the course but how they would approach it. Instead of using the race to test their skills (or a coveted spot on the podium), the duo decided to make it as entertaining and relatable as possible.
“Our goals were really clear,” Caitlin says. “A joyful, powerful conclusion; Hyrox is demystified for women who find it intimidating.” Importantly, Mapule and Caitlin had only met once before – Caitlin had reached out to Mapule as she had been a long-time fan since her first appearance on the WH cover. “Knowing that I had inspired her and how much it meant to her motivated me to take on the challenge,” recalls Mapule.
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How Caitlin and Mapule prepared for Hyrox together
To prepare, Mapule and Caitlin relied on their strengths. For Mapule, it was her strength. For Caitlin, running was a strength. “I knew I had to really focus on running so I could keep up with her [Caitlin]” says Mapule. “It became one of my biggest commitments during preparation.” To keep it fun, the two communicated via WhatsApp voice notes and Instagram memes.
There was also a one-hour race simulation before the race. “I saw my life flashing before me,” says the experienced ultramarathon runner. “That session kind of made me nervous.” Mapule, Caitlin recalls, was totally cool and decided to use the moment as an opportunity to identify areas for improvement. “It [the simulation] “It showed us what we still need to work on and how we can improve together so that we are optimally prepared for the race,” reports Mapule.
Image provided; Caitlin Hood (left) and Mapule Ndlovu (right)
“My biggest tip is to find someone you really like!”
– Mapule Ndhlovu
The payout
“Crossing the Hyrox finish line, sweaty, laughing, dancing – mates, we danced, okay!” says Caitlin. Mapule felt the same. “There was trust, understanding and mutual motivation, and that’s why I was convinced from the start that we had that,” she says. In the end, Hyrox’s finish line proved to be the start of a budding bond, the kind that transcends PBs. Almost immediately, the two began planning new races to compete in, even international events. “Ultimately,” reflects Mapule, “the experience became so much bigger than just the training – it was about commitment, teamwork, growth and pushing each other to be better.”
READ MORE: How exactly to start strength training for weight loss, according to experts
Steal their playbook
Tips from the pros on how to achieve your own fitness goals with your BFF stick
Image provided; Mapule Ndhlovu (left) and Caitlin Hood (right)
Find your mood
“Choose a Chommie, old or new, whose values align. If your energy aligns, that’s great! These two things make it easier to trust each other. If you don’t want to feel the same way at the end of a session, you’ll never cross that starting line,” says Caitlin.
Stay responsible
“It’s important to have a partner who is committed to doing their part, just as you are committed to doing your part. When you trust each other and know that you’re going through this together, everything goes much better,” says Mapule.
Keep growing
“Once one goal is achieved, set the next one together before motivation fades after the race,” says Caitlin.
This article first appeared in the July and August 2026 issue of Women’s Health South Africa. Words by Michelle October.