Q&A with 1Rebel instructor Esmee Gummer

From battling paralysis to letting loose on a night out, our Q&A with 1Rebel instructor Esmee Gummer will teach you a thing or two about balance.

Q. How did you get into a career in fitness?

A. I have always been fit and active but never had the intention to have a career in the fitness industry. For as long as I can remember I always wanted to be a dancer and trained all the way up to the age of 18 to be worthy enough for a place at dance college. It wasn’t until I recovered from an accident, which caused paralysis, that I realised fitness was the journey I wanted to take. This was partly due to the fact that physio and physical activity were the key to getting me back on my feet; but mainly because of the mental journey I took, which gave me the tools and experience to encourage and motivate others on their own paths.

Q. What were you doing before, and what made you take the leap?

A. During my recovery I was in website design and maintenance for an online shoe company – quite the opposite of what I saw myself doing. It wasn’t necessarily that I didn’t enjoy the work but I knew it wasn’t my destiny. I remember when I was near enough at full recovery and sitting behind a computer all day was killing me so I decided to take my fitness qualification on the side. As soon as I passed I left my job and started working in a gym to continue my study in personal training.

Q. Why do you think fitness is so accessible now?

A. I think people have always had the perception that fitness is a chore. People are now discovering that it’s so much more than that; it’s a community and a hobby. I think social media plays a huge role in this discovery. It allows people to see fitness in a personal light from the consumer who actually took part rather than an advertisement telling you to keep fit.

Q. What’s your favourite kind of exercise?

A. I love training in the Reshape studio at 1Rebel. HIIT training has always been my favourite because there is never a peak – you can always get better and better. It also fascinates me to see what my body is capable of when put under intense exercise and having to use my mindset to achieve my goals. I also like a good go on the punching bags.

Q. Are there any new workouts that you predict will become massive trends?

A. I mean there’s just no stopping these crazy ideas that keep flowing out into the industry. I reckon the next one will be a knitting workout while learning Spanish…

Q. What do you like to do when you’re not keeping fit?

A. I’m pretty sure people believe us fitness instructors just train, eat good food and talk about our muscles all the time. Believe it or not, I like a good night out, festivals, island hopping, dinner dates, getting my hair braided and of course those times when you just sit and eat.

Q. How do you keep the balance and why do you think it’s so important?

A. I keep the balance by separating the two and sticking to it. When I’m instructing a class my full focus and energy will go into delivering the best I can and helping each and every person in the room. The balance is crucial especially for your state of mind. The hardest part of this job is being able to completely switch off anything bad going on in your personal life and walk into the room bold, strong and ready to motivate. Without having that personal release outside of your job it would be impossible to deliver a class at 100%.

Q. Why do you think 1Rebel is so appealing?

A. Because 1Rebel is ‘choosing’ to come and work out, not ‘being told’ to go and work out. The fact that there are no contracts or obligations creates a relaxed atmosphere and you know everyone who is there wants to be there, rather than forcing themselves because they’re paying monthly. 1Rebel strives to ensure that every time you enter the building your experience is the best it can be. It’s not about going to the gym and pushing yourself through a painful 45-minute workout just to say you did it. It’s about choosing and wanting to be there and not even realising you’re working out. It’s about being a rebel and keeping fit at the same time!

Q. What kind of music do you play in your classes?

A. I play a mixture of music but house music is always good to get everyone pumped up. I do a Throwback Thursday Ride class every other week which is amazing because who doesn’t love a bit of ’90s when they’re working out? It feels like a night out… but you’re on a bike, and sweating. I spend a lot of time searching for mixes and covers of songs just to keep everyone on their toes.

Q. What’s your motivation for keeping fit?

A. I don’t train with an aesthetic goal like getting a six-pack or losing weight. Instead, my goal might be something like doing 10 press-ups this week instead of eight. Then, when I reach that goal, I set another and another. The motivation shouldn’t solely be to change the way you look, that’ll happen if you’re putting in the work. I believe how you act in a fitness class or on the track is how you’re going to act in the big bad world. You wouldn’t give up on something you want out there so why would you give up on that last rep, that last 10 seconds? The motivation for me comes from knowing how much I’m going to grow as a person every time I finish a session.

Q. What’s your favourite naughty snack?

A. It’s only naughty if you call it naughty. I eat everything. I am a sucker for scones and clotted cream though. Oh and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.