Grace's Rock Fitness: Fitness Classes Fuelled by Music, Energy and Rock!

Social media can be both a blessing and a curse in the new year. One day I can feel motivated to set a new resolution and try something new and the next I can feel overwhelmed and anxious.

Too often I compare myself to fitness influencers and worry I don’t have the latest equipment, the ability to try a new class, or a six pack!

Exercise should be about moving your body for joy, not punishment. Whether that be taking your dog for a walk with your favourite podcast on, trying a new gym class with a friend or dancing along to a workout at home to your favourite songs.

A few months ago, I met Grace, the incredible fitness trainer behind Grace’s Rock Fitness, to discover her story in the fitness industry, how she brings the electric energy to all her classes and her plans for the year ahead!

Her fitness classes feature the best rock anthems, allowing you to dance and sing your hearts out, forget your everyday worries, find the joy in exercise and rock out!

When did your journey in the fitness industry begin?

I have been into fitness for a long while.

I started cycling in my early teens before discovering the gym and fitness classes. My favourites were Pilates and Bokwa. After a couple of house moves and new gyms, I discovered a love of dance fitness and that’s what led me to feel empowered enough to become and instructor myself!

I trained in September 2024 and qualified soon after, beginning my first classes in January 2025.

What classes do you both offer?

I teach a variety of classes all to rock music!

Firstly, Band Rock- a high energy resistance band workout, using mini bands to strengthen and tone muscles with principles of time under tension and isolating muscle groups.

Secondly, Body Rock- a super fun dance class to epic rock tunes with no right or wrong, just move your body and enjoy the music!

Thirdly, Rock Steady- similar to Body Rock but this is the lower impact version for those who still want to rock but prefer/need a gentler workout.

Describe your classes in three words!

Energetic, silly, rocking!

What impact do you aim to have on those that attend?

My biggest goal is to have a positive impact on others’ wellbeing.

Physically, we can achieve so much but we can achieve more holistically when we have good mental health.

How important is exercise to both your mental and physical health?

Mental health is the focus of what I do.

I want to bring people together, connect communities, champion individuals, provide a safe space and create a support network. And that’s exactly what I’ve been doing in my first year as a fitness instructor!

The communities we’ve built together are truly beautiful. People help each other, check in with each other and laugh together! This of course helps me to also feel connected and my mental health is impacted in the most positive way.

Physically, I have hypermobility and often suffer with swollen joints so moving regularly and strengthening my muscles is helping me more than I know!

What impact do you believe social media has had on the fitness industry?

I don’t follow health trends.

I do use social media for promotion, but I don’t do ‘trends’, especially not ones to do with fitness and diet. It’s not something I’ve ever really been interested in.

I’ve been very fortunate to overcome my bodily anxieties (not to say that they are non-existent) at quite an early stage (early twenties). I’ve always wanted to lift others up and I realised that I really couldn’t do that if I was constantly tearing myself down.

To get back on track, trends can feed anxieties, deteriorate self-worth and force unrealistic expectations. None of that interests me. I’m much more interested in core values, building people’s characters and confidence so that they feel like they can face the world in the powerful body that they have.

Gyms can often be daunting places for those with little to no experience. How do you help others overcome this fear?

A friendly face and knowing your way around the space and equipment helps a lot!

I really didn’t want to go to the gym alone but familiarized myself with the equipment first with help from a friend. Having a plan and knowing your goals is also something I’d recommend.

There’s been plenty of times that I've built up the courage to go to the gym but, once there, not really worked much because I didn’t have a plan.

I prefer classes now and, as I teach so many these days, it’s rare that I get any extra workouts in!

Talking to someone about your concerns, whether that be a friend or a member of gym staff, will help massively.

Not only will it simply help to verbalize them, but you’ll also be able to get to know the space and people in it a lot quicker, making it less of a scary situation and more of a mental and physical challenge for yourself.

How do you alter a workout for those with different fitness goals?

I variate exercises for different abilities and it’s one of my favourite things to see – when I’m teaching a class and everyone is doing something slightly different to suit their body. That’s what it’s all about.

We're all different and exercise should be fun, accessible and adaptable.

What is your main method for keeping clients motivated?

FUN! This is the biggest one!

There’s no point trying to stick to something that you don’t enjoy.

When you’re having fun, your mind and body connect on a deeper level and you actually crave more!

It’s no longer a slog (at least not every time) to get yourself to that class or the gym or for that run or whatever you enjoy. You actually look forward to it!

How important is music to fitness and exercise?

Music is vital.

I created ‘Grace’s Rock Fitness’ because I loved the fitness classes that I attended but I just didn’t enjoy the music that much.

I’ve had multiple people who attend my classes say the same thing too!

Music is power. It helps you through those few extra reps. It puts a smile on your face, passion in your heart and, before you know it, sweat on your brow!

How did it feel to raise such an incredible amount during your 'Alternative Fitness Fest'?

Overwhelming. I wasn’t expecting it to raise over £1000.

In fact, I thought it would be less than half that! So, it was really amazing to have such generous and kind natured people at our event who put so much cash into it on the day.

I chose ‘Norfolk & Waveney Mind’ because mental health is the most important part of this for me and I want to support as many other people with their mental health and wellbeing as I can. It was also a charity very close to hearts of some people who regularly attend my community classes.

This December, I also hosted some Christmas classes and a party, which raised £200 to support the homeless and vulnerable people of Norwich through ‘The People’s Cause’ and we collected donations to ‘Norfolk Homeless Support’ too.

My business will always have core values in giving back to others. That’s fundamental to community, humanity and kindness.

What do you love most about the fitness industry?

The fitness industry connects people.

I love finding likeminded people who have their hearts in others’ interests and wellbeing.

There are a handful of instructors whom I really connect with and I know that we all support each other. That feels really special.

What are your plans for 2026?

I plan on raising more money for local charities.

I am also adding more classes to my schedule from January!

Building up my business is my goal. I want this to be sustainable for me and for everyone who gets enjoyment from my classes.

Harriet and I plan on working together even more this year and have some ideas which we will keep to ourselves for now!

Together we are stronger. We lift each other up and champion one another. If we can help others to feel more confident in their bodies and abilities, to feel safe in the spaces we create and to feel connected in their communities, then we are doing our job!

To keep up to date with the fantastic work of Grace (and book your first class!), you can head to her Instagram (@graces_rock_fitness)!