I Interviewed Fitness Star Sophie Ritchie
If you’ve met Sophie Ritchie before, if you’ve been to her awesome classes and sampled her playlists then you’ll understand why I am really excited to share this interview. Sophie is a star on the London fitness scene. I met her when we were both teaching at The Refinery E9 in Hackney and I instantly clicked with her ethos.
It was Sophie who inspired me to train in barre, not only does she bring a really fun and edgy element to barre but she’s a thoughtful, detailed and accomplished teacher. She’s better known for her brand ‘Disco Barre’, but she’s branched out recently having been chosen to represent the legend Lotte Berk via her daughter Esther Fairfax, who is a legend in her own right. Sophie is one of only a small handful of teachers in the world who have this training to offer. Sophie recently opened up her own studio The Factory, London and is totally shaking up the London barre scene with the likes of her avant-garde ‘Gay Barre’ class, ‘Frankie’s Friday Glow Barre’ and the yet to be announced ‘Disco Barre Nights’, you heard it here first.
If you’ve never met her then I’m honoured to introduce her to you, and if you have met her then you’re already aware of the Sophie Ritchie magic, need I say more?
Where did the inspiration for Disco Barre come from?
I fell in love with house music when I was 15 years old and the love affair never died. Then, in later years I journeyed back to the disco that influenced house music and well, music they played in clubs like ‘The Paradise Garage’ by DJ’s such as Larry Levan. I’d been teaching Barre for a while and loved the fact I could play DJ every day and one evening was listening to the track ‘Work That Body’ (Larry Levan edit) by Taana Gardner, which embodies the heritage I previously mentioned and the name just came to me like a lightning bolt and I trademarked it the next day.
You recently trained in the famous Lotte Berk barre method. How does that differ from Disco Barre?
Disco Barre was in part based upon The Lotte Berk method, having been trained by someone trained in it and also having practiced it myself since my teens on some VHS of the NYC version I got in a car boot sale. But, the original technique I learned recently from Esther Fairfax, Lotte’s daughter, works perfectly as a class. It’s very different from anything out there today. It’s a real mind body connection that connects you to your feminine and the movements are tiny, like TINY! And you are often in the pelvic tilt, but it’s not just that, the stretches and warm up and cool down are perfect partners and you leave a class feeling amazing. It’s tough, but also meditative in a way I guess a yoga class can sometimes be. You become more coordinated, confident and it really penetrates other areas of your life. As someone interested in energy work and tantra, it has elements of that and I believe it is magic.
I fell in love with house music when I was 15 years old and the love affair never died. Then, in later years I journeyed back to the disco that influenced house music.
What is the vision for the new studio?
I want to create an inclusive space where you work your ass off and become confident in your body with incredible music and fun teachers so you forget just how hard you are working. I want people to come because they feel great afterwards. I also want them to feel like a dancer, even though the classes aren't actual dance classes. I am so happy with my current timetable of teachers and I've even more brilliant classes and concepts to announce soon.
Do you have a morning routine? If you do what is it?
I’ve recently given up caffeine but I still make a ritual of my Rooibos and almond milk and honey tea. I am addicted to that now! My sleep has greatly improved since giving up and I just didn’t need it as I have surplus energy anyway. After that I get my daughter and dog sorted, post on Insta and see who is booked into classes that day. Most days I have 2 eggs on toast for breakfast.
If you met someone who was new to exercise, what advice would you give them?
I try to make people feel welcome. Barre classes are bloody hard, so I think you just have to do all you can to make someone feel looked after.
I want to create an inclusive space where you work your ass off and become confident in your body with incredible music and fun teachers so you forget just how hard you are working. I want people to come because they feel great afterwards.
What’s your favourite song of the week?
On repeat this week and for the past few weeks is Normalizo by Letta Mbulu.
Favourite song of the year?
My song of the year is actually from this year too - A rarity for me! Roisin Murphy ‘Incapable’. It just works so well in my Lotte Berk class, oh and ‘Fire in My Heart’ by Escape from New York.
Do you have a favourite clothing brand?
I’m not really a fan of leggings and the usual barre attire. I prefer American Apparel trackies and slouchier stuff.
What habit do you wish you could cultivate?
I am working on consistency and balance and that is with every area of my life. I’m getting better.
Do you have any resolutions for 2020?
To be the best mother and the best teacher that I can be… and drink more water.
Sophie is open over the Christmas holiday 28th, 29th, 30th and 31st. If you’re in London get yourself down to The Factory, Dalston and take one of Sophie’s classes and take advantage of the current limited offer: MONTHLY MEMBERSHIP ALL CLASSES ONLY £120 A MONTH.
You can find Sophie on Instagram @discobarrestudio
