I first discovered The Refinery E9 attending a Groovement workshop hosted by Natalie Marsland of Reuben Feels, where I was immediately won over by the team, design and concept. You only have to look at the eccentric photography by Nadia Lee on the website to know that the The Refinery is run by people with both style and a sense of irony.
Located on Collent Street, off Well Street, The Refinery is set in the midst of what’s growing to be a highly hip destination in Hackney for fitness, food, fashion and new independent business’s. Of note is The Grand Howl coffee shop, which features home roast coffee and delicious snacks, all ideal for after a workout!
The goal of The Refinery is simple, to give you the tools to enable you to deal with the rigours of 21st Century lifestyles through the power of exercise and meditation. Their playful and unique rosta of workshops, therapies and workouts puts them in a new league. Of course you can expect the usual suspects like pilates, power yoga, and my personal favourite forest yoga, but its the integration of music and the support of unique ideas and talent that make this place special. Last month we interviewed the owner Zoe Kennedy, whose passion saw the Refinery come to life.
I wanted to get stuck in so I set myself a goal to try everything new and fun on the fitness menu, which was a challenge in itself. First up was Disco Barre, run by fitness and boogie connoisseur Sophie Ritchie. Here you can work out to disco beats and neon 80’s flashing lights. Disco Barre will totally transform your body and change the way you think about exercise. It combines ballet with core work, strength training, isometric holds and small but intense and sexy choreographed moves.
I also tried Retro-Cise. This was an absolute ball, I went with a good friend and we giggled covered in sweat dancing to old 80’s beats while getting our buts kicked. If you love music and have a big load of stress on your shoulders then The Refinery runs a badass class called POUND. Pound is based on drumming, using Ripstix®, lightly weighted drumsticks engineered specifically for exercising, POUND® transforms drumming into an incredibly effective way of working out.
If the diversity and energy of what’s on offer hasn’t already sold you, then the £5 introductory class and inspiring weekend workshops such as Gong Baths may well do just that. Make sure you enjoy their boutique welbbeing shop, packed with a range of independent brands such as Lost in La La Land and Brizilian ethical brand, Posto 9. They have also recently added wellbeing clean beauty products from Skin & Tonic (organic chemical-free products) and Red Queen Candles.
For anyone whose into health, wellbeing and fitness, but also likes to have fun, the Refinery is a unique and wonderful place to meet like-minded people and be energised. Highly recommended you get yourself booked in pronto!
14 Collent St
Hackney
E9 6SG
