MOVE over Rosemary Conley for there’s a new kid on the block gearing up to steal your crown as fitness and exercise entrepreneur.

Plymouth based Hannah Le Rouge has been taking the city by storm with an exercise class that started as a simple concept but is fast developing into a brand. She’s launching her first class at The Wharf on Monday nights, starting on June 5 at 7pm and Ellie Hudson finds out about what’s involved in joining the RockFit craze!

Tell me about Hannah La Rouge, a bit about your background?

‘Dance has been my thing for as long as I can remember. I was brought up on a solid diet of 60s rock ‘n’ roll by my parents. During my degree in choreography and my Masters in performance, I gained a taste for creating dance and a passion for keeping my body fit (you need to be fit for dance!).

I also have a love for burlesque and founded a burlesque group called The Scarlet Sirens — I’ve always been a bit quirky and loved to champion body confidence. I’m basically a pint-sized red head with a penchant for rock and heavy metal that twisted my passions for dance, rock and fitness into a form that suited my tastes — and it just so happens it suits a lot of other people too!’ 

What kick started the idea for Rockfit?

‘My friends moaning at me that they wanted to come to my classes but that they hated the usual disco/dance music,

I was having a conversation with a friend just after I’d left teaching and was wondering what to do with my life — and she said “I wish there was a class with music that was more my taste” and I thought yep, I should do that!

All my passions in one class, rock music, dance and fitness! I was exhilarated at the thought and wondered if people would think I was mad — turns out rock fans love it!’

How fit do people need to be to actually join in the class as it does look rather energetic?

‘We have everybody at RockFit from people that haven’t exercised in 15 years, people on crutches, that hate exercise, those that are in wheelchairs, from kids to marathon runners and fitness professionals. 

‘It’s suitable for anyone and everyone. It’s energetic because we LOVE the music (and all get a bit carried away). But there are high and low impact moves and variations so you don’t have to go flat out and you can take a break whenever you want to.

‘Saying that, when you’re surrounded by a bunch of awesome people who all share your love of rock and you hear ACDC, Guns N’ Roses, Queen or one of your favourite songs come on you just go for it.’

What can new people to your class expect — do you give dietary advice or put them in the right direction to get it?

‘People can expect to meet a whole new circle of friends. Our classes are genuinely filled with the most amazing friendly, non-judgemental people I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting.

You can rock up in your jogging bottoms and band t-shirt and nobody bats an eyelid.

You can expect to sweat, sing, fist pump and rock your way to a fitter, happier version of you and to enjoy it! We share a lot of hints and tips on fitness and lifestyle.

I don’t give direct dietary advice myself (only dieticians are qualified to do this) but have a team of qualified professionals (who also love RockFit) who work with me on getting this information out to people. We are currently running a programme called ‘Rock Your Body’ which I’ve designed to help people workout at home with mini Rock workouts! 

What are your long term plans with Rockfit?

Initially, I wanted to run a successful class in Plymouth. Then one class became two, then four and now five. When requests for classes started pouring in from all over the country and then the USA! I was astounded. My long term plan is to take RockFit to places where people want it — I want rock fans everywhere to have a class near them. The impact it’s having on people’s lives is something I could never have predicted. People report inch loss, weight loss, better mental, social and emotional wellbeing as well as being so much fitter! 

Anything else you would like to share with us?

We are sponsored by Plymouth Sports Development Unit, the national ‘This Girl Can’ campaign, Active Devon and MoveGB so we’re drawing a lot of attention. But first Devon! Then the rest of the world!

Interested in signing up?

You can contact Hannah direct on [email protected], check out the website at www.rockfit.org.co.uk or you can also call her on 07940128439.

Interview by Ellie Hudson.