Growing up, Emmanuel Buregeya’s sporting obsession had nothing to do with the gym or weight-lifting, but Karate, the popular martial art form of Asian origin. 

After mastering the basics of Karate, he took on another challenge – boxing.

Between 1993 and 1994, however, he temporarily put off his boxing gloves, owing to the hostile political situation in the country at the time. He only resumed his hobby in 1996, two years after the 1994

Genocide against the Tutsi had been stopped by the liberating forces of the Rwanda Patriotic Front.

In 1998, he was lucky to be called to the national boxing squad by the Rwanda Boxing Federation.

Together with nine other boxers, he enrolled on a sports tutorship programme conducted by a Nigerian instructor.

"The Nigerian taught us how to instruct people in the gym, and some techniques and exercises for boxing,” he said in a recent interview.

Using the certificate he had been awarded after the training, Buregeya went out in search of a decent job, and the following year, in 1999, landed one at a gym in Nyamirambo. That same year, he scooped a bronze medal at the Africa Amateur Boxing Championship, in Cameroon.

Two years later, in 2001, he was at his winning ways again, this time clinching bronze at the 12th Senior African Championships, in Mauritius — Rwanda’s only medal from the games from the four boxers who took part in the competition.

That is arguably his most cherished achievement to date, and though he may no longer be into competitive boxing, the medal transports him back into those glorious days.

That is why he keeps it like a precious gem in his meticulously arranged office at The Manor Hotel in Nyarutarama, where he works as gym and fitness instructor.

Since 2010, he has been with The Manor, in the same capacity, but even before that, he had worked at venues like KBC, Car Wash, and the Umubano Hotel.

As fitness instructor, he explains: "People come to see me and I gladly help them. I tell them you’re welcome and I’m here to help you”, he starts, adding: "I ask if they have any health or fitness problems, and how long such a problem has persisted.”

He notes that generally, people with weight issues constitute the biggest portion of his regular clientele.

But even these are divided into two categories: those that are overweight and want to shed off some excess fat, or at least to tone and firm up on their muscles.

The other category is that of people who are underweight and would want to add a few kilos to their body mass.

So how does he ensure that the overweight shed some excess kilos and vice versa?

"For people who want to lose weight, I help them do this by educating them about strong foods they should include in their menu. These are foods with no fats or artificial sugars …things like red meat, legumes, vegetables, and sweet potatoes.”

For exercises, he recommends working out on the treadmill, cycling, and aerobics.

For those that want to gain weight, he recommends a lot of stretching exercises for the muscles and body, and a similar intake of strong foods. "People who are cutting weight need the same food as those who want to gain weight, but in larger quantities.”

But weight-related issues alone do not account for all of Buregeya’s clientele. Other people visit the gym to simply feel good about themselves, especially after a stressful day. This should explain why most gyms are busiest on weekdays, after working hours.

"In times of stress, the gym is sometimes the best stress-reliever, especially for the busy corporate worker,” he says.

With a tinge of satisfaction Buregeya notes that increasingly, the public is becoming aware of the fact that one can go to the gym before even considering a doctor.”

He further adds that a gym is not the exclusive preserve for the rich, educated, or men alone. Neither is it only about stretching muscles, gaining and losing weight.

"The gym has proven to be the best place to break harmful social habits like alcoholism, gambling and drug abuse. The refreshing exercise and socialising aspect in the gym gives such a person a new place of abode, hence breaking their habit.”

Indeed, like in any other gym, Buregeya’s core clientele is closely knit, more of a small family unit or association. Most of them know each other by name, and after a gym session, it is common to see them melt off into one of the restaurants for a shared drink and bite.

As custodian of the state-of-the-art gym, Buregeya has to report to his workstation at 7:00 pm, and usually, he won’t leave the premises till 9:00 pm, with short breaks in between.

Asked what his gym employment means to him he says: "The gym is life for me, because I am a sportsman and I like my job with all my heart. My life and my time all revolve around the gym.”

Learning the ropes

"I knew I had the interest earlier than this, but I had no confidence in myself. So after the training, I decided to build my confidence by further teaching myself by watching tutorials on the internet.”

He admits that to this day, and with so much experience under his belt, he still consults the internet to better his skills as a gym instructor, "because learning is a continuous process”.

2001, memorable year

In 2001, Buregeya had to quit his gym employment and head to Mauritius, where together with three other boxers, he would represent the country at the 12th Senior African Championship.

He brought home the country’s sole medal at that tournament, a bronze.

I ask which of the three (boxing, gym, and karate) is closer to his heart, and Buregeya retorts: "I love all of them equally”. However when pressed, he concedes a soft spot for boxing, "which is like my food”.

In that regard, his role model and idol is the legendary former American heavyweight boxer, Mike Tyson.

"I feel that I’m strong physically, so the question to me has always been; "why not do something with this power that is useful to me?”

He is wearing a navy blue football jersey when I meet him for this interview, so I ask where his football allegiances lie, and he responds simply: "Drogba.”

To keep in shape, he does four full workouts in the gym every week, aerobics three times a week, and does two long distance runs (18-20 km) twice a week.

Buregeya is married, with four children.