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THE GYM THAT
BUILDS BETTER HUMANS

Lose weight. Get strong. Feel amazing.

Why We Have Separate Men’s and Women’s Gyms

At Roark, we believe in creating environments that empower individuals to train with confidence, focus, and purpose. That’s why we’ve chosen to provide separate training spaces for men and women—both in one building, both with the same commitment to high standards, expert coaching, and a welcoming community.

This decision wasn’t made to divide—it was made to enhance the experience for everyone. We understand that men and women often have different training needs, goals, and comfort levels when it comes to the gym environment. By offering dedicated spaces, we’re able to:

Tailor programming and coaching to suit specific needs and preferences

Foster a more focused and supportive atmosphere without comparison or intimidation

Encourage authenticity and confidence, especially for those new to training Promote a culture of respect and inclusion, where every member feels seen, heard, and valued

While our facilities may be divided by gender, our mission is united: to help build better humans. Whether you're in Roark Men’s or Roark Women’s, you’re part of the same ethos—one of hard work, humility, and community.

We train separately, but we grow together.

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OUR COACHES
Group 247

Frik Muller

Managing Director

Guru. Motivator. Educator.

From professional rugby fields to gym floors, my journey into fitness has been anything but ordinary. After a career-ending injury and a background in engineering, I discovered CrossFit in 2012—and with it, a passion for functional movement, community-driven training, and personal growth. I competed locally and at the CrossFit Africa Regionals before recognizing a gap: a need for a space that offered the intensity and camaraderie of functional training, but made accessible for everyday people—not just elite athletes chasing a 1RM snatch.
In 2014, I left my consulting engineering job to be part of Roark Gyms. Roark was built to be a beacon of how men and women should train: with integrity, purpose, and no ego. The name “Roark” comes from the protagonist in The Fountainhead, a man who represents uncompromising excellence—values that still guide us today. Over the past decade, Roark has grown into a community of thousands across multiple locations. I’ve been fortunate to be coached by some of the best in the world, and I constantly strive to evolve—earning my CrossFit Level 2, StrongFirst certification, and multiple personal training diplomas. My approach is to lead from the front, but I also empower my team to bring their own energy and creativity into every session.Our gym is a place where people from all walks of life come to work hard, leave their egos at the door, and grow—together.When I’m not coaching or programming, you’ll find me on the golf course, playing touch rugby, or walking my golden retriever, Jackson, who’s also our unofficial assistant coach. He’s been part of the Roark family since he was six weeks old—and unless you’ve earned his affection, he probably will give you the side eye unless you have his favourite ball in hand.Favorite quote: “Humble but confident.” I believe in acknowledging your strengths while always staying open to learning from others


Profile-Adorable-Dog2

Jackson

Assistant Coach & Chief Vibes Officer

Golden Retriever | Joined Roark at 6 Weeks Old

Jackson has been part of the Roark team since he was just six weeks old, and let’s be honest—he runs the place. As our unofficial assistant coach and full-time morale booster, Jackson brings unmatched energy, warmth, and loyalty to the gym floor every day.

He may not correct your form, but he’ll absolutely judge your effort (and your snack choices). Known for his selective affection, Jackson only has eyes for his parents—unless you’ve put in the reps to earn his trust. Whether he’s supervising warm-ups, greeting members, or sneaking in a nap between classes, Jackson reminds us all to stay present, stay playful, and always make time for a good stretch

Qualifications:

  • Certified Treat Enthusiast: Expert in sniffing out snacks, especially when no one’s looking.
  • Paw-sitive Reinforcement Specialist: Always there to give a tail-wag of encouragement.
  • Community Bonding Leader: Builds morale with every and friendly hello.
  • Untrained Coach: Knows how to give a “high five” (or paw) when needed, but still working on form correction.
  • Human Test Subject: Will never judge your squats, but will make sure you’re properly motivated with his stare.

Group 246

Alan Foulis

Roark Men Cape Town General Manager

Head Coach, Director of Swole

Don’t let Alan’s laid back nature fool you. This man is a top-tier, global competitor who holds multiple qualifications. Besides his athletic prowess, he is an excellent coach who will help guide you to your highest level of performance, regardless of whether you’re an absolute beginner or a more experienced, high-level competitor in your own right.
With a joke up every sleeve, Alan truly embodies Roark’s values of unwavering dedication, the constant pursuit of knowledge, and meaningful application of experience. Fitness is a lifelong journey, and a challenging one. With Alan, you may find it a little easier.


Phil_Hulse

Phil Hulse

Roark Coach

Movement Specialist and Form Fanatic

Phil Hulse is a certified endurance running and cycling coach with a deep-rooted passion for performance, coaching, and the great outdoors. A lifelong athlete and motocross racer for over 25 years, Phil was an athletic late bloomer who found a new gear in 2014 when he began training under the guidance of a cycling coach.
That pivotal experience sparked a keen interest in the science of training and human performance, eventually leading him into the world of coaching. For the past five years, Phil has been coaching athletes across disciplines, helping them achieve their goals with a blend of practical experience and structured, evidence-based training. Whether it’s hitting new PRs on the road or tackling challenging terrain on the trails, Phil brings a high-energy, personalised approach to every athlete he works with. When he’s not coaching, you’ll find Phil outdoors—preferably on a technical mountain trail on foot or on a bike, where he feels most at home


Nicky_Watson

Nicky Watson

Roark Coach

Movement Specialist and Form Fanatic

Nicky first walked into Roark in 2014—she’d known coach Pete since they were 11, and a familiar face seemed like the best place to figure out what a barbell was. From day one, she connected with the energy, the people, and the challenge of moving in completely new ways (ball slams felt especially weird at first). It was a great experience from the start—the learning curve, new challenges, and unexpected friendships quickly made Roark feel like home.
Since then, she’s built a strong foundation in movement, always guided by the belief that good form comes first and that progress is personal—and looks different for everyone. Nicky brings an encouraging, calm presence to the gym and aims to meet members where they’re at—whether they need a bit of coaxing to add weight to the bar or they’re simply showing up. Her coaching style is grounded and supportive, and she quietly works to build confidence so members realise they’re capable of more than they thought.She has a particular love for deadlifts and she thrives on new challenges, and varied workouts—and the essential incentive of a post-workout coffee. She’s also a fan of a good spreadsheet and the strategic side of things, and outside the gym, Nicky works full-time as an e-commerce specialist and marketer.Nicky loves Roark because, for over 10 years, she’s kept showing up and meeting all the different versions of training that continue to be fun, challenging and doable. For her, Roark isn’t just about the physical work —it’s a place where the sense of community is real, where everyone’s going through it together, and where you can do more than you ever thought you could.


Michal_Benzo

Micheal Benzo

Roark Coach

Movement Specialist and Form Fanatic

Michael “mabru” Benz – With an unshakable love for sport, endurance, and the relentless testing of mental fortitude, Benzo brings a unique blend of passion and purpose to the gym floor. His philosophy is rooted in the belief that true transformation begins when we lean into discomfort – when we train the mind just as hard as the body, and push past the limits we thought defined us.
Outside the gym, Michael leads an international financial consulting company, a place that has sharpened his ability to inspire, guide, and elevate people toward peak performance. He draws on the same principles of discipline, focus, and leadership in the gym – whether he’s coaching someone through their first back squat or pushing an athlete toward their next personal best. His corporate battlefield has only deepened his understanding of human potential – and now, he brings that experience to every session, every set, every rep.Having joined Roark Gyms in late 2014, Benzo is no stranger to this iconic training ground. He knows its history, its heartbeat, and what it takes to thrive within its walls. For him, Roark is more than a gym – it’s an institution and a playground for building the best humans out there.“Find your pain threshold. Stare it down. And then smash through it. That’s where you’ll find it all!” – Benzo


Gaby_Sauzier

Gaby Sauzier

Roark Coach

Movement Specialist and Form Fanatic

Hailing from the tropics of Mauritius, Gaby and her passion for strength and conditioning was fuelled in 2020 upon joining Roark. From her very first session, she immediately knew that Roark was more than just a gym – it would become a second home and community of life-long friends.
A pocket rocket and barbell fiend, Gaby strives to push herself and members to do their best, while moving in a safe and injury-free manner. She aspires to empower women through strength that translates beyond the fitness space. Whether you’re lifting your first barbell or chasing new performance goals, Gaby meets you where you are—and helps you move with purpose, power, and pride.When she’s not coaching or ending a workout with “That was spicy”, you’ll most probably find Gaby enjoying the sunshine and Cape Town beaches.


Wesley_Adriaanse

Wesley Adriaanse

Roark Coach

Movement Specialist and Form Fanatic

Wesley Adriaanse with nearly 15 years experience in the fitness industry, left the tedium of the corporate world behind in 2006. His goal; to maximise opportunities to help others grow, improve and challenge their perceptions and limitations.
A high ranking officer in the Form Police, his education was started in the hallowed hallways of Tuks. His dedication to good technique led him to becoming a Level 3 Master trainer in Kettlebells. His growth under the tutelage of Mentors such asMegan Jaffrey and Steve Cotter have led him to believe in the continued holistic engagement of the body in multi disciplinary activities to promote good, mobility, health and wellbeing far into ones later life. He continues to push the boundries that others set for themselves and help them to reach their potential.


At Roark, we’ve always believed in doing things with purpose—and that includes how we’ve set up our space.

 

While both our men’s and women’s gyms share the same building, we’ve chosen to keep them as separate training areas. Why? Because we’ve found that when people feel truly comfortable in their environment, they train better, push harder, and enjoy the process a whole lot more.

 

Having separate spaces allows us to:

  • Focus our coaching and programming to suit the specific needs of each group
  • Create a more relaxed, supportive vibe—especially for those just starting out
  • Remove distractions and pressure, so you can train for you, not for anyone else
  • Build stronger communities within each space, while still being part of the bigger Roark family

 

This isn’t about division—it’s about intention.

We’ve seen how much confidence, progress, and enjoyment comes from giving men and women their own space to show up, work hard, and grow.

 

Same building. Same values. One mission: helping build better humans.

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  • We won’t deny that there are certainly pros and cons to both mixed and separate gyms and at the end of the day it really all comes down to the individual and their needs. For us, the decision was quit

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  •   Three Key Concpets to Perfect your Deadlift – by James Owen   The Deadlift is often thought of as the best all round exercise as it makes use of the entire lower body, core and posterior chain

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  • New Year’s Resolutions. Some people live by ‘em, swearing at the start of each new year that…This year will be different.This year will be the one.This year, I’ll finally turn it around.New Year, new you, right?!

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