ABOUT US
Lorene van Bergen
Lorene obtained her BA Human Movement Science and Psychology degree at the University of the Witwatersrand in 2008. In 2009, she completed her BA (Hons) Biokinetics at the University of Johannesburg and went on to complete her internship working for Jannie Klingbiel Biokinetics at the Centre for Sports Medicine and Orthopaedics in Rosebank. Lorene specialised in orthopaedic work, and worked with some of the country’s top professional sportsmen and women
She started working for Natasha Deley Biokinetics in July 2011, and joined the Wellness in Motion team shortly thereafter, and was there
for a year before joining Joanna Coetzee Biokineticists, in June 2012. Her work was centred on orthopaedic exercise rehabilitation, neurological exercise rehabilitation, chronic disease management, and hydrotherapy.
In August 2015, Lorene started her own practice – Lorene van Bergen Biokineticists – based at Bryanston Virgin Active. She was also the coordinator of a community project at Casa do Sol School in Linden, working with intellectually and physically impaired children. This project is funded and supported through Christ Care Therapy Projects. The project has now been taken over by another team of Biokineticists.
Lorene is a qualified Advanced Aquatic Therapist, trained in Watsu techniques, Paediatric and Neurological Hydrotherapy. She has done extensive work with people of all ages, using exercise to treat, manage and rehabilitate many conditions across a broad spectrum.
In January 2021, Lorene and her long-time colleague Chelsea Nicol went into partnership, forming van Bergen and Nicol Biokineticists. There are now 2 practices, one still being at the Bryanston Virgin Active, and the second at 16 Bentinck Ave, Bryanston (a private studio gym).
Lorene is married to Martin, and they have 2 children. Riley is 4 years old, and Tayla is 16 months old.
There is something so rewarding watching people work hard and achieving their goals, and helping them make improvements they never thought possible! A positive difference in someone’s life, no matter how small – makes my job worthwhile!
Chelsea Nicol
Chelsea studied Human movement science at the University of Pretoria. In 2015, she completed
her BA (Hons) Biokinetics at the University of Pretoria. She completed her internship at Body Kinetics/
Kruger Biokineticists in 2016 where she was exposed to chronic disease management and orthopedic
rehabilitation. Chelsea competed competitively in multiple sports which led to her passion for sport
specific conditioning and rehabilitation. She has worked with provincial and national athletes across a variety of sports.
Chelsea has a keen interest and experience in working with the geriatric population as well as chronic
disease management, particularly weight management and cardiac conditions.
Chelsea has experience working with children, coaching swimming and hockey, teaching adult learn to
swim classes as well as being a spinning and aqua aerobics instructor.
Chelsea joined Lorene van Bergen Biokineticists in January 2017. Under the mentorship of Lorene,
Chelsea focused on growing her knowledge and expertise.
Chelsea believes exercise is crucial for improving and maintaining one’s health (physical, mental and
emotional). It doesn’t matter if you have never exercised, are old or young, don’t like the gym, have
injuries or medical conditions under the right guidance anyone can start exercising and find a way to
enjoy exercise. “You are stronger than you think, your body is ready, now let’s convince your mind."
Elizna von Allemann
Elizna commenced with her studies at ETA college in 2017 where she completed her higher certificate in fitness. During this time Elizna was involved with coaching athletics and developing young talent as part of the I Have Talent Coach Experience and also coached athletics at Curro Aurora. Elizna then moved on to the North-West University to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a Biokineticist and completed her studies in BHSc Biokinetics in 2022. In 2019 Elizna received her Certificate in Sports Massage Therapy where she gained a lot of exposure working with local and international athletes. During Elizna’s degree she gained considerable exposure in both Clinical and Orthopedic cases.
Elizna’s passion for Biokinetics comes from her love of sport and the outdoors, she loves to interact and meet new people and has a lot of experience coaching and working with children. It brings Elizna great joy to work with people and to improve the quality of life of her patients. Elizna believes that there is life through movement and that exercise forms part of an holistic approach towards better health and well-being
“Live is never easy”
“Putting in the effort is hard”
“Sitting with an unfavourable condition or circumstance is also hard”
“Choose your hard”
