@VDS Square Academy and Adaptive Gym is a company that originated from the need for children with certain conditions to exercise safely, effectively and cost effectively.  We at @ VDS Square Academy and Adaptive Gym believe that exercise is medicine and as such various conditions can be addressed through remedial exercises.

As such, the owners of @VDS Square Academy and Adaptive Gym invented, designed and patented equipment for both remedial as well as sport development for any population from the age of 9 years old to 90 years old.

Our equipment is of such a nature that it can be utilised by normal population as well as the disabled as it allows for children/youth between the ages of 9 and 14 to be able to exercise in a safe and effective way and not by way of using weights which has a negative impact and effect  on their growth plates. This also teaches them the correct form which will prevent them from obtaining injuries while exercising.

We are proud to announce that we have opened an Adaptive Gym at the West Rand School for Disabilities in the West Rand, Gauteng, using our unique and innovative exercise/remedial/rehabilitation equipment coupled with our exceptional Loopit (TM) system.

Johan has 44 years experience within the gym environment  and is a fully qualified Personal Trainer with more than 15 years experience dealing with clients with various conditions.  He is also the researcher and author of a published book pertaining certain exercises on a specific condition called Pectus Excavatum which can be found on Amazon.com.

Michelle has extensive experience in dealing with abled as well as disabled persons.  She is also a qualified Personal Trainer and has an International accredited qualification in Special Populations which entails dealing with persons living with disabilities and dealing with common injuries, illnesses and special considerations in the context of physical recovery.  Her qualifications also include understanding and coaching any disabled sporting code, coaching sport to intermediate and advanced level performance for those who live with disabilities and inclusion of persons with disabilities in sport, recreation or fitness activities.

Early intervention addressing neuro-muscular conditions is key to improving underlying muscle weakness to improve mobility and daily function. Improved muscle strength can lead to the reduction of increased muscle tone/spasticity in the upper- and lower limbs as well as improved postural control and stability as the trunk is strengthened, therefor a learner’s functional ability improves – not only in the classroom but also on the sports field.  They have better endurance to maintain sitting at a desk during class time, better upper-limb function for writing, using assistive devices and propelling a wheelchair and better gait pattern when walking – independently or with a walker. We are conducting remedial/rehabilitation programmes for the learners at the West Rand School for Disabilities suffering from i.e Spina Bofide and Cerebral Palsy  with profound successes and have also coached the athletes who recently competed on national level at the Toyota Paralympics.  The data we collected on the participating athletes over a 3 month period, indicated that they have gained muscular strength, have improved mobility, improved postural control and stability and have been breaking their own personal best records in Javelin,  Shotput and Discus. Their performance has significantly increased to such an extent that they are now breaking South African National Paralympic records and have all earned gold medals at the recent Toyota Paralympics.

The social problem we are trying to address is the challenges for and the discrimination against people living with disabilities, women, youth and those in rural areas (which forms our main target groups) by offering them easily accessable Adaptive Gyms and Sport Facilities as well as Rehabilitation Facilities equipped with our unique and innovative cost effective exercise/ rehabilitation equipment,  which will be beneficial to their overall physical well-being. Our Skills Development Programmes aims to offer our main target groups (people living with disabilities, women, youth and those in rural areas) the opportunity to enhance their quality of life as they may experience individual growth, empowerment and boost productivity which in turn may result in structural transformation and economic prosperity.

Our vision and aim is to transform, improve and empower the lives of the disabled, women, youth and those in rural areas by means of physical fitness, sport coaching, rehabilitation, transformation and skills development programmes by introducing them to our exceptional features coupled with our unique and cost effective equipment.

We have submitted our application for the 2025 SAB FOUNDATION Social Innovation and Disability Empowerment Awards competition under the Disability Empowerment category.

The Social Innovation Awards programme focuses on supporting businesses with a product or service that can improve the lives of women, youth, people living in rural areas and persons with disabilities.

First prize:                   R 1.3 million

Second prize:              R  750 000.00

Third prize:                 R  350 000.00

Winners will be announced in October this year.

BREAKING NEWS!

 We are excited to announce that our FIREBIRDS WHEELCHAIR RUGBY CLUB based at the West Rand School for Disabilities in the West Rand ,Gauteng,  has been registered with the South African Wheelchair Rugby Union (SAWRU) and is now open.  Not only is  Wheelchair Rugby a spectacular, fast-paced, dynamic and fun sport, it also presents the opportunity for disabled children (including Quadriplegics, Paraplegics and those with any spinal condition) from the age of 13, to flourish, prosper and excel in a team environment.  Training and exercise contributes to better physical as well as emotional health. It is also beneficial in terms of strength, endurance and self-esteem which will carry over into tasks of daily living, leading to improved levels of independence in everyday activities. Hence the belief that participation in wheelchair sports will enhance the overall quality of life.  Physiological benefits include improved cardiovascular fitness, muscle strength, coordination, balance, mental health and socialization.

Our aim is to transform the lives of children living with disabilities from a very young age and prove that a successful lifestyle is achievable.