#Hellofitty: An Interview With Clubbercise Co-Founder, Claire Burlison Green

Claire Burlison Green is the co-founder of Clubbercise; a Zumba inspired dance class with high energy and low lighting. After my first class, I left feeling energised and bouncy, despite the fact that the class works you like a late night clubbing session! You get to dance (and sing along to classic tunes if you wish) without the hangover or high heels burning your feet! After just one class, I was hooked and wanted to find out what inspired Claire Burlison Green to create this awesome way to exercise.

Tell us about yourself

I was living in Devon until about two years ago and one of the biggest issues there, was that there wasn’t much choice in terms of fitness classes. I used to try and find something I enjoyed doing that I would stick to and it just wasn’t happening until a friend dragged me along to a Zumba class and I had a massive smile on my face all the way through. So, myself and two friends started our very own Clubbercise session in Devon and they are still running their successful classes there and I’ve brought the business and training to London. Very early on I recognised that I’m very new to the industry, my background is in branding and marketing, so I’m not the best person to be teaching the Clubbercise courses, so I’ve brought in people to do this. Now we’ve got a lead master trainer called Sonique who is fabulous. If you could package up the brand into a human, she is that, she is Clubbercise.

Where/when did your personal wellness journey begin?

As a teenager and then all through my 20’s I did my best to avoid exercise. By my late 20’s I felt physically crap and knew I wanted to be healthier but couldn’t find any exercise I enjoyed. Then two friends dragged me to a Zumba class and I smiled all the way through! I began exercising twice a week and also plucked up the courage to work with my friend Sherilee, a personal trainer. I’d always thought I was destined to be unfit for life but she helped me realise I COULD get fit, the only thing stopping me, was ME!!

I now exercise 3-5 times a week. I’ve not suddenly transformed into a gym bunny and I HATE burpees with a passion, but I exercise regularly because I can see and feel the benefits.

If you’d told me 10 years ago that I’d be running a fitness business one day, I’d have laughed in your face! If I can do it, anyone can do it.

What is Clubbercise? – Tell us about your classes.

Part aerobic, part dance, Clubbercise classes are taught in a darkened room with disco lighting and glow sticks set to a soundtrack of uplifting club anthems. You’ll hear anything from 90’s classics like N-Trance or Set You Free to the very latest floor fillers such as Rudimental.

What are the advantages of incorporating Clubbercise into your daily life and what are its effects on the female body?

It’s a great way to forget the stresses of daily life, there’s nothing quite like the endorphin buzz you get from dancing to your favourite tunes. Clubbercise routines are designed to burn calories and provide total body toning. The glow sticks are not only great fun as a bonus they also tone up the arms (bye bye bingo wings!).

What do you love most about your job?

Every day is different and every day I hear another inspirational story from one of our instructors or participants. Clubbercise is literally changing lives and it’s the best feeling in the world!

What has been your biggest challenge so far?

Maintaining a sensible work/life balance… It’s a constant battle.

How do you manage your life/fitness/health balance? What advice would you give someone that struggles with this?

Since launching the business finding a balance has been a constant battle… However I set myself some weekly health/fitness targets for 2016 and so far I’ve been pretty good at sticking to them. I keep a diary so I can review it and see if I’m going off-track.

Have there been any disasters/funny moments?

I booked a venue for a training course and checked in advance that they had a music system… they said yes. When I arrived they handed me a pink portable CD player, the kind of thing you see in a child’s bedroom. It was not quite the nightclub-style sound system I was expecting! Fortunately one of the instructors on the course had a decent PA system in her car so we used that.

What can someone expect from a class with you?

Fun, neon, sweat and banging tunes!

Some people work out but don’t see the results they are expecting – what common mistakes do you see people making when it comes to their fitness?

Sometimes people don’t work hard enough – they seem to think that just being in the room is burning calories! Others don’t workout regularly enough. To see results you really need to be exercising at least three times a week.

Who is your health/fitness/nutrition muse?

Fitness entrepreneur Rachel Holmes; she’s a ball of energy and has got the three elements (health, fitness and nutrition) nailed. She’s also a massive inspiration to so many other people, both inside and outside the fitness industry.

What is your own personal favourite workout?

Clubbercise obviously and dancing in general!

What’s your perfect breakfast?

Egg, avocado and tomato on toast with a sprinkle of smoked paprika.

Do you have a favourite pre or post workout food/snack?

If I haven’t eaten for a while I grab a banana pre-workout and then whip up a post-workout smoothie with soya milk, peanut butter and spinach.

Who has had a big influence on your life and what have they taught you?

So many people have influenced my life in so many different ways. I’m very open-minded and I love to improve myself so I’m always listening and learning.

Where is your favourite London wellness spot (fitness/well being/nutrition)?

Grace Belgravia has it all. I’m not a member (yet) but I do go to their events. The restaurant is fantastic and their juices are heavenly.

When you have an off (unhealthy) day (or more) how do you motivate yourself to get back on track?

I never beat myself up about having a naughty treat from time-to-time, it’s all about balance. As long as the good stuff outweighs the bad I know I’m on the right track.

Do you have a motto or mantra that keeps you focused?

Yes it’s, ‘You can’t change the past but you CAN change the future’, which stops me from dwelling on any mistakes I’ve made and keeps me focused on improving things going forward.

What’s your ideal way to de-stress?

Dancing, yoga or heading to the coast.

What’s your guilty pleasure?

A night out with cocktails ending up in a club with a lit-up dancefloor!

One bit of advice you would give to HLL readers?

I guess it would have to be some advice to anyone looking to start their own business… Write a business plan and stick to it, focus on your strengths and bring in outside help for your weakest areas. Find yourself a good business mentor. Staying on track can be hard but it’s the key to success. And most importantly, don’t forget to lead a healthy balanced lifestyle. You may get stressed in your start-up, but taking care of your health is the most important thing!

Find Out More:

Check out Clubbercise here… Website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube 

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Read my review of Clubbercise here.

*Health Advice: Consult with your doctor before beginning any exercise program.