Matthew & Taryn: Balancing Family, Fun and Workouts
At False Bay Fitness, we’re lucky to have a community full of people who inspire us daily, not just with their performance in the gym, but also with the way they balance fitness, family and everyday life.
One couple who are the perfect example of this is Matthew and Taryn Bowerman, long-time fitness enthusiasts who juggle it all with a mix of dedication, humour and teamwork.
We sat down with them to hear more about their journey, their favourite memories and what it’s really like training as a couple. *Spoiler alert: there’s plenty of laughter, a bit of friendly bickering and lots of love for our community.
How did you both get started with working out at False Bay Fitness?
They were originally from the old Cape CrossFit in Gardens, but like many of us, COVID pushed them into garage workouts. After a year they decided to get back into the gym. With Matthew working from home and with their son enrolling into Kirstenhof Primary School, the timing felt right to join False Bay Fitness and they’ve been part of the community ever since.
Do you prefer training together or separately?
“If we had the choice, together,” they said but not without a laugh. Matthew admits that training as a pair can sometimes come with bickering: “Taryn doesn’t pay attention; she’s too busy socialising.” (Taryn doesn’t deny it.)
How do you balance family life, training and responsibilities?
With refreshing honesty, they answered: “We don’t, it’s a bit of a mess!” Between careers, parenting and workouts, the couple has mastered the art of tag-teaming. If they can’t make it to the gym, they’ll jump on their BikeErg or head out for a run. “We just treat training like part of our daily routine. Some days flow, some don’t, and that’s okay.”
What’s the best part of working out together?
Matthew likes to push Taryn during the workouts, a challenge which she enjoys. For them, it’s not only about fitness gains “It’s about spending a little extra time together”.
Favourite competition memories?
Both immediately recalled King of the Mountain (2015), when they were still new to CrossFit. However they had built up enough fitness from training at 360 Specialised Training a few years prior to feel confident to take up the challenge. With a mix of nerves and determination, they competed as part of a team and surprised themselves with how well they did. “We think we did pretty well. The other two team members were Justin Swart and Taryn McDonald.“
Another stand-out was Fittest in Cape Town 2014, where their team placed 8th despite “not knowing a thing about CrossFit” at the time. “Our team mates for that competition were Justin Swart, Taryn McDonald, Chris Walsh and Diane Swart”.
How does training for competitions differ from your usual workouts?
When we asked this question, their reply was honest and telling. “Taryn has never really pursued competition; we just roped her in a lot. She does not really like competing but is always happy to help out. We do not compete in competitions much anymore. If we do these days, our day-to-day training is sufficient. Back in the day, it would have been higher volume, with morning and evening training, higher intensity, and planning.” That shift shows how their approach has matured: performance is still important, but so is balance and sustainability.
What’s your advice for couples who want to train together?
“Don’t do every session together,” they said with a laugh. “You need your own rhythm too.” Their advice: find the right balance between being workout partners and enjoying your individual training journeys.
Funniest or most memorable gym moment?
“There are too many to count,” they admitted. With Taryn, there are lots of inside jokes and workout mishaps are always part of the fun. And if you’ve trained alongside them, you’ve probably shared in those laughs. If you haven’t yet trained alongside them, you can’t help but wonder about the kind of humour that sparks in their sessions, probably the very moments that make training at False Bay Fitness so memorable!
What achievements are you most proud of?
Consistency tops their list. “We’re not chasing records anymore; we’re just happy making it to a session.” That said, Matthew’s proud of hitting a personal best 182kg back squat, while Taryn says she’s been at her fittest thanks to PureFit and her running.
What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned about each other in training?
“At the gym, Taryn is confused all the time and doesn’t listen,” Matthew teased. “But at home and work, she’s organized and on it.” (Balance, right?)
How is False Bay Fitness different from other gyms?
“It's a great, family-oriented and chilled gym: no pressure, no judgment, come as you are and enjoy.”
How has being part of the gym changed your lives?
For Taryn, consistency with PureFit and her own running has made her feel fitter than ever, and she can’t stop recommending the classes to her friends. For Matthew, it’s about keeping strong, healthy and connected with the community.
Why should someone join False Bay Fitness?
Their answer was simple but powerful: “You’re investing in yourself through fitness. On top of that, there’s a community of friendly people to make friends with”. What makes False Bay special, is that you have a community who share the journey with you.
Something others might not know about you?
When they’re not at the gym, Taryn is a menswear fashion buyer for Uniq Clothing. But around here at the gym, she’s the one making sure we look the part. She’s recently taken on designing, ordering and sharing our new False Bay Fitness T-shirts in the WhatsApp group, keeping the members kitted out in style. Thanks Taryn!
Matthew works in digital marketing as a campaign manager. Both of them work for Shoprite/Checkers.
Whether it’s at work or in the gym, this power duo brings dedication, teamwork, and plenty of laughs to everything they do.
A Couple Who Embody What False Bay Fitness Is All About
Matthew and Taryn’s story reminds us that fitness is not about perfection. It is about showing up, laughing at the mishaps and doing the work even when life is messy. They bring humour, heart and steady commitment to our community and we are grateful to have them training with us.
If you would like to be part of our member spotlights or share your story, talk to one of our coaches. We would love to feature you next.
