Meet The Team
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 therefor 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.
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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.
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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.
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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."
Rusten Abrahams
Rusten is a dedicated biokineticist with a robust academic and athletic background. He earned both his Bachelor's and Honours degrees from the University of the Witwatersrand while simultaneously representing South Africa in both indoor and outdoor hockey.
His athletic career includes competing at the highest levels, such as the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and the 2018 Indoor Hockey World Cup.
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Driven by his passion for understanding the human body and improving quality of life, Rusten has developed a keen interest in orthopaedic rehabilitation and chronic disease management.
He brings over a decade of experience working with children through various coaching and rehabilitative roles, which has deepened his expertise in biomechanics and injury management, both in sports and daily activities.
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Rusten completed his internship at Keulder and Associates, where he gained extensive experience in managing a broad spectrum of conditions, from neurological disorder rehabilitation to chronic disease management.
To further expand his knowledge, he has travelled to India and Croatia over the past two years, immersing himself in diverse rehabilitative techniques at the High-Performance Sports Institute of India and Concordia Hockey Club in Croatia.
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Rusten is committed to helping his clients enhance their physical capabilities, regardless of age or limitations, empowering them to live life to the fullest
Thando Makhaza
Thando has always been deeply fascinated by the human body and the powerful impact that exercise can have on health and quality of life.
This passion led her to pursue a Bachelor of Biokinetics at the University of Johannesburg, with her interest in the field originating from the sports science subject during her highschool years.
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During Thando's training, she completed over 1 000 hours of clinical shadowing across various practices, gaining exposure to a wide range of patients and rehabilitation settings.
Thando also spent part of her final-year clinical rotation in 2025 at this practice, where she was mentored by the biokineticists she now works alongside.
This experience laid a strong foundation for Thando's transition into professional practice, which she formally joined in 2026. Thando has a particular interest in orthopaedic rehabilitation, supported by her athletic background in netball and athletics, where she competed throughout her school career and progressed to district-level trials.
This experience helped inform Thando’s approach to injury prevention, rehabilitation, and performance.
Outside of the clinic, Thando is a dedicated gym and wellness enthusiast, with a strong belief in empowering people through movement to build strength, confidence, and lifelong physical well-being.