Nkululeko Zane Dlamini, known as the King of Squats, is a South African fitness influencer who gained popularity through his engaging fitness classes, focusing on squats.
In multiple interviews, he has mentioned that he was inspired by his early dreams of becoming a professional soccer player.
Despite his rise to fame, Dlamini maintains a sense of humility, displaying a composed and serene presence that stands in stark contrast to the vigor he demonstrates during his fitness activities.
“Fame is nothing new to me. I was a professional soccer player for Jomo Cosmos in South Africa and later played in Swaziland. The only difference now is that my fame has reached a whole new level thanks to social media and the work I do,” he said.
Soccer career
Dlamini started his soccer career in 2009 by signing with Jomo Cosmos, following an unsuccessful attempt to join Amazulu FC, who had initially identified his potential.
During this period, he was also engaged in pursuing a Bachelor of Education at the University of the Free State.
Although Dlamini demonstrated considerable goal-scoring ability, he often found himself on the bench or training in the gym.
Eventually, he was loaned to a club in the Kingdom of Eswatini, formerly Swaziland, where he achieved notable success.
“Because of my success in Swaziland, my club brought me back to the South African Premier League, but again things didn’t go well. I decided to get into teaching fitness after being inspired by the king’s wife during my time in Swaziland
“The king’s wife asked if I could train her and the daughter. That was the moment when I realised I could teach fitness. When I returned to South Africa, I enrolled in a fitness school, and when I was certified, I decided to teach fitness,” he said.
Squatting
As a center forward, where the techniques of body movement are essential for goal scoring, Dlamini had to adopt a squatting routine that he has been doing on social media.
“Everyone in the fitness industry was rowing, boxing, running, or dancing, so I wanted to come up with a more fun concept that targeted the whole body, hence my signature squat routine
“You could do the normal squat where you go up and down with weights, which is painful, but my routine is more fun, involves lots of movement, and is enjoyable,” he stated.
Dlamini’s squat routine isn’t just enjoyable; it’s a comprehensive workout that boosts strength, endurance, and flexibility, which are all essential for staying fit.
“If someone struggles with flexibility, this routine will help unlock their movement. If endurance is an issue, my squat routine builds that too. And of course, it builds strength. You get all three in one workout,” he remarked.
Dlamini’s workout routines have taken social media by storm, particularly with women who love how he makes squats seem so easy yet super effective.
“My aim was always to make the workout enjoyable, so people don’t dread it. When you’re happy and having fun, the results come naturally,” he said.
Dlamini is quick to highlight that although a lot of people are drawn to the visual aspect of his squat routine, it’s really a compound exercise that works several muscle groups at once.
“Not many people know that squats help you get a flat stomach. A 45-degree squat focuses on your whole body, mostly involving your core. Whereas a 90-degree squat focuses on your thighs
“The more you go down in a squat, the more you engage the abs and the body. That is why I always tell people to start with a 45-degree squat before any other exercise to fully engage the whole body,” he said.
Dlamini also mentioned that he knows it wasn’t just his fit body that got him all the buzz, but rather his butt, and he totally enjoys the attention.
“The reason I went viral is because of my body. I think in Africa and some parts of Europe, it may have been the first time they saw a man with a toned, firm butt. But the truth is, I have always had a firm butt for many years, since my soccer days. It was never an issue until social media came along
“It’s all natural. My butt has been this way for years, ever since my soccer days. It’s a result of hard training and the intensity of my squats. And yes, genetics play a role too,” he said.
