For those about to rock... Review

February 11, 2015 by Ray Morgan

For those about to rock...

Let me preface this review by saying that I am NOT a fitness person. I have never joined a gym, find exercise a daunting horror, and put a lot of importance on, say, eating biscuits and watching Netflix over keeping fit. See a blog I wrote on the matter for this very website if you don't believe me... http://www.leigh-on-sea.com/blog/witness-the-non-fitness.html

HOWEVER.

When my best friend told me about a new fitness class he was going to called Rockcercise, I will admit that my ears pricked up with intrigue. I'm sure he won't mind me saying that neither of us are the kinds of people who go to fitness classes - or so we thought. "It's basically a workout to heavy metal," he said. This seemed light years away from my outdated 1980s vision of what a keep fit class entailed.

I went along to Rockcercise in Southend with an open mind, and I have to say: I bloody loved it. The hour-long workout is accompanied by AC/DC, Metallica and Aerosmith, and the moves are... well... ROCK! You mime drumming with dumbells! You run around doing air guitar! There is even headbanging. (It was at this point I hoped someone was walking their dog past this church hall and saw us all through the window, it must have looked hilarious.)

Everyone there was having a laugh, rocking out to music they loved, and it was fun. NEWSFLASH: I JUST SAID SOME EXERCISE WAS FUN. I can't believe I'm typing these words. But aside from being fun, don't be fooled: this is a vigorous workout. Every part of my body felt like it was being worked on. As you do the whole thing with dumbells, it's strenuous. I woke up this morning with the kind of creaky slowness of a woman thrice my age - but actually, I liked it. I ache everywhere today but I know it's worth it. I've even booked my place on next week's class already.

If you're cautious about doing an aerobics class because you feel intimidated by it (and hate chart music) - this is perfect for you. Air guitar as exercise: this really is a brilliantly novel idea.

Rockcercise takes place on Monday evenings in Rayleigh and Tuesday evenings in Southchurch. First session is free, £6 otherwise (£1 off if you're wearing a band tshirt). Booking essential. www.rockcercise.com