The Sprightly Spud

I’m in my rebel era again…

Festive trips to the capital are the ultimate treat. Sumptuous seasonal eatings, the opportunity to bask in the sparkle of elaborate light displays, and, of course, the chance to sample fitness classes that simply haven’t made it to the wilds of North Wales yet. 

For me, this means only one thing; a return to 1Rebel

My previous adventures in Rebel’s signature ‘Reshape’ had consisted of sweaty stints on the treadmill, combined with killer bodyweight and dumbbell exercises. As a keen runner and gym-goer, the sprinting and lifting combo didn’t feel too alien, but this time round I was keen to stretch my comfort zone.

So, without delay I purchased my 3 session pass, and picked my poisons for the weekend; two ‘Rumbles’, and one ‘Reshape’. I couldn’t wait. 

Rumble

By Saturday morning, I had just about recovered from my Black Friday battle down Oxford Street the previous day. I owe this almost entirely to my consumption of the best pizza on the market; a Franco Manca ‘Pizza 1’. Doughy and sumptuous, a charcoal dappled sourdough base is topped with a smooth tomato sauce, and finished with organic garlic, basil & oregano. In my humble opinion, the ideal way to carb up before a good night’s kip. 

Anyway, at the tender hour of 9am on Saturday, the retail chaos was yet to ensue, so I sauntered my way to Oxford Circus, overpriced coffee in hand, before being greeted by a friendly smile as I hopped into the coolest gym in the city. After a good couple of minutes absorbing the Rebel aura, I purchased my new boxing wraps (an affordable £3 outlay) and skipped into the changing rooms, giant fluffy shower towel firmly in hand. Whilst seasoned sparrers are welcome to bring their own set of mitts, boxing gloves for Rumble are free to borrow, and unlike most shared gym equipment, do not have that distinctive dampness and piquant scent that one expects. 

Sleek mood lighting, floor length mirrors and ample locker space leave one feeling like your attending a makeover rather than a workout class, and boutique (complementary) toiletries from Wildsmith Skin, avoid the characteristic stale sweat aroma that is customary in your average gym.  

A tannoy announcement alerted me that the 9.30 Rumble induction was about to begin. As a first timer in the ring, this would give me a quick introduction to the punches, stances and form I’d need to know to get started. This has got to be one of 1Rebel’s greatest strengths. Beginners are not left to fumble around in the dark, and can fully send even their first workout: an important consideration when paying inner city prices. 

Ben Cupit, a Manchester born trainer with 10 years experience in boxing and fighting to his name, whacked on an awesome playlist, and proceeded to take the group through a full body warm-up, before the real work began…

Having chosen to start on a box, I had to wait a little longer before donning my gloves. The resistance section of the workout consisted of a blend of AMRAPS, drop sets and supersets, providing stimulus for all muscle groups. Critically, the weight selection is completely personal, meaning you can push yourself as much or as little as you like, and there is no sense that you are not ‘keeping pace’ with the class. 

First weights round done, I made my way to my allocated bag, and was subsequently guided through a series of increasingly complex punching combos, a format that enabled me (and fellow newbies) to glean the technique of each strike and stance, before linking it with another. By the end of the seven minute interval, my heart was racing delightfully.

As we alternated between bag and box, I became increasingly sweaty, and increasingly confident. The mosaic of jabs, crosses and uppercuts began to feel much more intuitive, and before long I was frolicking round my station like an overly aggressive rabbit. I do not owe this improvement to my own innate ability in any capacity, but rather to Ben’s timely and encouraging coaching cues.

Rebel instructors are like the octopi of the fitness industry. Simultaneously, they are able to coordinate precisely timed intervals, coach what is essentially two independent workouts, and synchronise the vibe of each movement and section to an expertly curated playlist. In addition to all this, at no point in a Rebel class is one left fumbling in confusion or at risk of injury, as they float around the studio giving accurate feedback and tips to every attendee. The result of this is an artfully choreographed routine delivering an efficient workout, without neglecting movement standards and technique. 

Fitness gains aside, Rumble most certainly served as a form of stress relief. 45 minutes of pummelling the bag had me glistening with endorphins, and ready to face a tough day… of Christmas shopping and city sightseeing. Nevertheless, I can certainly see the appeal of a hitting Rumble at the end of a heavy day in the corporate rat race. 

The class concluded with sixty seconds of freestyle sparring, allowing for full disposal of any residual energy or tension. Finally, Ben took us through a gentle cool down, before individually congratulating each triumphant rebel as they left the room. 

Should one wish to cool their glowing face, there is a mini Smeg fridge at the entrance to the changing rooms, fully stocked with chilled towels. I, however, indulged in a deliciously scolding shower, and lathered myself in the intoxicating scents of Linden, Roman Chamomile and Cedarwood. Not only was I blushing with the thrill of ample endorphins, but I felt like I’d developed a little skill too, and trotted towards my post-workout shake tickled with a sense of accomplishment. 

London’s ‘King of Gyms’ of course caters to the anabolic window, and offers an enticing selection of refuel options in their shake bar. Designed to replenish electrolytes, rebuild torn muscle fibres, and nourish busy city-dwellers, the menu is stacked with superfood ingredients such as pomegranate, ginger, chia and cacao. My beverage of choice ‘Basic Bloobs’; a rich purple blend of coconut water, blueberries, chia seeds and vanilla protein. Having pre-ordered my treat when I booked the class, the shake was ready and waiting for me as I headed towards the buzz of the street outside. 

Sunday morning called for another early morning Rumble. Once again the session was artfully choreographed and coached, yet completely different to the previous days’, highlighting the versatility this format offers. The whole operation runs like clockwork, and every detail is accounted for to ensure an enjoyable and snag-free experience. For example, every dumbbell station is marked with an arrow indicating which side of the box you work on, eradicating the potential of flailing limbs and flying weights cramping your style. 

Additionally, a nifty online booking system means one can not only choose from an ample selection of class times, but also the specific number station you will work on, and whether this is a bag or box. In the first instance, this maximises the personalisation of the class. Before even unravelling yourself from the comfort of your cosy bed, you can guarantee your proximity to the speakers, instructor, any rebel besties, and whether you will be starting with more cardio or resistance intensive exercises. As someone who’s eyesight leaves a little to be desired, I like to be pretty close to the coach, but for anyone willing to sweat in little more solitude, you could easily pick a station at the back of the room, where neighbouring numbers have not yet been reserved. 

Once again, this is an area where Rebel excels beyond its peers in group workout offerings. Many studios would panic at the prospect of a mere 45 minutes to elicit a sweat from trainees, yet the whirlwind corporate careers of the majority of its clientele mean time is critical. 1Rebel’s refuses to neglect warm-ups, cool-downs, and exercise versatility, thus ensuring a safe and effective session. Furthermore, the ability to reserve a specific spot means there is no need to arrive more than 5 minutes before a class time in order to enter the bunfight for optimal positioning (a common occurrence at your average gym). 

1Rebel quite clearly values the health and time of its patrons. 

Reformer

Heart hammering, I slid out of my Sunday Rumble just before the cool-down, and bolted over to the Reformer room. Wraps off and gloves in the washing basket, I donned my newest piece of kit; a pair of compulsory anti-slip socks.

I felt like Spiderman.

Gentle rose lighting revealed a room full of what one could be forgiven for assuming was torture equipment. Of course, these were just the Reformer machines, designed to facilitate precise movements, muscle engagement, and body alignment. Our utterly delightful Scottish instructor explained the purpose of the sliding carriage, adjustable springs, pulleys, straps, and footbar that this contraption consisted of, before dimming the lights and hitting play on the music. 

As the dulcet tones of ‘Brat Girl Winter’ filled the studio, I caught the eye of my equally nervous-looking neighbour, who immediately assured me that it was her first time too. Together, we followed the guidance of our trainer, and attached the relevant coloured springs to our machines. 

Within minutes my thighs were smouldering and my calves trembling, as I lunged, balanced precariously atop the moving reformer. Despite years of strength training, and often dabbling in yoga, I had never before experienced such a challenge to my coordination and flexibility. The 45 minutes of lunges, skaters and rows flew by, as  Amber’s calming Caledonian lilt lead us through changes in pace and resistance. 

Regardless of the lack of impact on my joints, and relatively placid heart rate, I build up somewhat of a glow as the session went on. Flushed with endorphins and the thrill of this new challenge, I was positively grinning (interspersed with the odd strained grimace) by the end of the class, when, with five minutes of dynamic movement remaining, my all time favourite song started to play. 

‘Wildest Dreams’ gave me the strength I needed to push through the final core section, until Amber announced that it was time to cool things down. Sighing with satisfaction, I padded from the room in my spidey-socks, but not before saying goodbye to my new pilates pal.

Needless to say, I headed for another searing shower. Although the GHD hairdryers and straighteners which adorn the dressing area were calling my name, I decided the November drizzle outside would rapidly undo any effort I made to tame my hair. Cleansed, hydrated and moisturised, I left the dopamine dense buzz of strong women, and collected my ‘Apple and Ginger Hydrator’ from the refuel bar. At £3.50, the hydrators are a little cheaper than the protein shakes, and half the price of a ‘Green Tonic’ at Joe and The Juice!

The Rebel Recap

Reinvigorated by the sweet, zesty burn of apple, MOJU ginger shot, cucumber, and electrolyte powder, I ventured out into the lukewarm mizzle. Despite the fairly despondent climes, my outlook was sunny, especially when I spotted the red awning of a Gail’s Bakery. 

A savoury girl at heart, I swerved the cinnamon rolls and croissants for a sumptuous ‘Spinach and Feta Roll’. Biting into the golden pastry, to find oozy cheese and the tang of soft leeks, I reflected on my weekend’s endeavours. 

Overall, Rumble had sated my cravings for high intensity movement, yet also quenched a thirst to master new ways of pushing myself. I’d found the coordination elements of the boxing rounds required full concentration, to the point at which I barely noticed the physical exertion. The harmony between excellent playlists, synchronised lighting, and rhythmic, almost dance-like movement combos, made the whole experience reminiscent of an extremely sweaty (sober) rave. In terms of the quality of the workout, Rumble hit all the targets; a balance of cardio and resistance training incorporating multiple heart rate zones, dynamic, full body movements, and a focus on power and skill. Ideal. What’s more, the autonomy to choose the extent to which you pushed the weights and speed is a rare privilege in group situations.  

The more surprising of the weekend’s disciplines was without a doubt Reformer. Certainly not for the faint-hearted, I found myself aware of aching muscles I didn’t even realise I had. The class had required a whole new level of mental focus for me, and served as proof that a soaring heart rate isn’t the sole indicator of a quality workout. Additionally, though the overriding vibe was pretty ‘zen’, the iconic beats and jazzy lights kept Rebel’s Reformer feeling a little spicier than your stereotypical pilates class.

When it comes to the gym itself, 1Rebel leaves very little to be desired. As someone used to drab leisure centre locker rooms, and stale smelling CV suites, I was quite literally in heaven. No stone had been left unturned when it came to curating a service that screamed ‘main character energy’ and empowerment. Where practicality was concerned, the execution was near perfect too, and tailored to the rapid-paced lifestyles that keep London running. 

The Next Rebellion

Much to my delight, the next time I venture to the capital there will be yet more exciting concepts for me to explore…

Five of Rebel’s clubs host what they have dubbed ‘the ultimate party on a bike’: Ride. A spin class with a difference, the sessions combine the cardio burn of bike sprints, hills and HIIT, with dedicated ‘weighted’ tracks design to maximise the workout’s effectiveness.

Not only this but the latest addition to the Rebel family is a wellness experience like no other. ‘Reset’, exclusively available at the High Street Kensington Studio, is a state of the art recovery zone, designed to optimise holistic health. The 45 minute, self-guided sessions utilise contrast therapy (cold plunges and saunas) to reduce muscular inflammation and facilitate faster recovery from workouts. Furthermore, Reset can boost circulation, immunity, and help counteract the stress of city life. 

Unfortunately, my Northern roots mean I trips to 1Rebel are few and far between, nevertheless, I will most certainly be making a return…