‘You feel like you’re in a nightclub but you won’t get a hangover!’
WF talks to BOOM Cycle founder Hilary Gilbert
If you’ve ever been to a BOOM Cycle class you’ll know they’re sweaty, sassy and super-fun.
It’s a popular hang-out among London fitness fanatics, and with two studios on the map, the BOOM Cycle empire is growing...
How did BOOM Cycle come about?
It started because, when I first moved here back in 2004, there wasn’t a lot of good spin on offer and it wasn’t offered conveniently. So I was like, ‘Well I want to create a spin gym!’ But then I was still modelling, and I didn’t want to settle down and stay in one place. So it took a couple more years. Then we started working on the plan to make BOOM Cycle become a thing in 2010, registered the company that same year and then started trading in 2011. When I met my now fiancé, he was going to work on his own business and I was going to work on mine, but we decided we’d never see each other if we did that. So we ran the numbers and at that time the Us-based spin empire Soul Cycle had just sold its portion of equity for $50 million, so it was easy to raise money for the business on the back of that because everyone was getting excited about it. We were the first to do it in the UK.
Can you sum up BOOM Cycle in three words?
Bikes, beats, boom.
What do you think sets BOOM Cycle apart from other spinning classes?
We’ve thought about every single aspect so specifically and for a very long time. Our concept is really based on music – I’m super, super-duper into the music! We’ve got nightclub-quality sound systems so when you come in you’ll feel the bass in your chest. It helps you get lost and you really feel like you’re in a nightclub, but you won’t get a hangover the next day. And the fact that’s it’s dark – if you’re self-conscious about sweating or maybe you’re not the best athlete ever, then no one’s going to see you. You can only see the instructor so that really helps people let go.
What’s your favourite aspect of your job?
I think it’s just working with and seeing such fabulous people all the time; people with whom I share a lot of interests and qualities. A lot of us are like-minded but we all come together for this inspirational thing that we’ve all built together.
What would you say to someone who hasn’t got any spinning experience but wanted to come and try BOOM Cycle?
Come on down! Get here 20 minutes before the ride starts, then we can go over all the basics, we can get you clipped in, and we can talk you through everything. As it’s dark, you don’t have to worry about not knowing what you’re doing! And also, each rider controls their resistance on their own and no one can see what level you’re at. We don’t say ‘everyone at level 5’ because that’s different for like a 5ft woman and a 6ft male rugby player, so I feel you’ve got to make it individual. It helps everyone do their own thing.
And finally, what are your plans for the future of BOOM Cycle?
World domination! We’re currently working on expansion – we’re hoping to open one or two more sites this year and then go from there. We want to keep going and I think that there is enough room for lots of these things. I really think we have a good shot at making Britain more fit because BOOM Cycle is something fun and it’s for everyone, regardless of ability. And once everyone gets over this idea that it’s intimidating, they can see that. I’ve seen so many people walk down those stairs into the studio literally shaking, and then they come out and they’re like, ‘Oh my god it was so different from what I thought it would be!’ So it’s about educating riders and I think it’s something people can stick to, even if they’re not gym buffs.