Boutique spin studios are plentiful in London, but newly opened Revolt Cycling in Holborn is different: its bikes help power the studio itself.
The concept had been forming in founder and fitness enthusiast Celeste Blakey’s mind for a few years, before she launched the studio in September. Blakey did a master’s in global hospitality business, which took her to Switzerland, Hong Kong and Texas. She tried to visit a spin class everywhere she travelled. Back in London, she worked in hospitality sustainability and private equity, with a focus on consumer brands.
She wanted to build a fitness company rooted in sustainability. But, she says, “I think unfortunately we’re still in the age where people are not ready to pay extra for sustainability in the fitness space.” Revolt aims to offer a workout with sustainability as an added benefit, rather than a key reason for visiting.
Blakey is hands-on and has oversight of every detail in the studio, from its design to its power sockets. Chair fabrics are made from upcycled materials, the paint is eco-friendly and water-based, the plumbing is energy-efficient and Forest Stewardship Council-certified timber is used.
Its Energym spin bikes convert workout power to watts, reducing the need for external electricity. “A person of average fitness level doing a 45-minute class can produce enough to charge a MacBook,” says Blakey. “If the class is full [40 bikes], it can get to about 80 per cent of charging a British home for a day.”
At the moment, the classes don’t generate enough power for the entire studio, so it supplements it with renewable energy. “I don’t want to exaggerate the actual output as we’re still gathering data,” says Blakey. “In time, we should be able to power the whole studio.”
Along with the cycle sessions, the studio offers Pilates and yoga classes, as well as an infrared sauna. Guests enter via the front desk, before heading downstairs to fitness studios and changing rooms downstairs. Spaces are fitted with blonde timbers, accented with green walls and chairs. The changing rooms have temperature-controlled, push-activated showers with products from the eco-friendly brand Miniml, and post-workout shakes – including the Power Greens (spinach, mango, almond butter, vanilla protein and flax seed) and the Full Charge (banana, almond milk, chocolate protein, peanut butter and espresso) – are available.
For Blakey, individual actions are key to progress. “Success is about changing the narrative around sustainability and moving it to something more accessible than it is currently.”
Revolt Cycling London
37–39 High Holborn, WC1V 6AA
07502604853
Hours:
Mon to Thu 6am to 8pm
Fri 6.30am–8pm
Saturday 9am–1pm
