Q&A: Getting in your steps – silent disco style!

Saturday 02 November 2024

Fancy getting your steps in mixed with banging tunes and great company? One fitness group has it covered.

Local DJ and personal trainer Hannah Jacques has recently started silent disco fitness walks that cater for a wide range of people and start from only £5.

Speaking to Express, she explained more about the sessions and why she thinks it's important for people to get involved....

Can you tell us about your silent disco walks? Who are they for?

The silent disco walks are for a range of different demographics. As it is such a simple concept, we can tailor different walks for different people.

We do daytime walks for the retired community where we are more likely to play tunes from the 60s and 70s, anything from Stevie Wonder to Bowie to Grease.

Pictured: The silent disco walks cater for a wide range of people.

We have also started mid-day 'pick me up' walks for people who work in town and want to get away from their desk and get some much-needed steps in – think a truly millennials playlist with 90s and 00s classics.

We have also started buggy walks for those who desperately need something to do in the day with their little ones in a buggy.

We offer anything from mini daytime rave walks, to complete de-stress mindfulness chillout walks.

Why did you feel inspired to launch this new initiative?

I’ve been a DJ for 20 years and my favourite thing to do is to create the perfect vibe through music, no matter what setting.

Pictured: Buggy walks and mid-day 'pick me up' walks for office workers are also on offer.

Creating playlists is a really fun activity for me, so to be able to play amazing tunes whilst leading people through much-needed simple exercise is just a no brainer.

How popular have the silent disco sessions been so far?

Our first sessions have almost been sold out! The idea and the concept is new to lots of people, and the feedback has been really positive.

We have over 150 people in our community Facebook group which shows there’s a lot of people in Jersey who are keen to join a walk some time soon, but there’s plenty of space for more.

Why do you think it’s important to get outside and get moving with others?

Walking is the most easy and simple form of exercise, and simply walking in fresh air will definitely positively impact your health and wellbeing without a doubt.

Pictured: Hannah Jacques uses her DJ experience to create soundtracks for the walks.

There’s an inactivity crisis ever increasing, and just getting up and out for a walk a couple of times a week will start to get you on the road to “motivation” that we all claim we need.

Where the mind goes the body follows, so getting the mind excited for basically a mid-day party will lead the body to that all important walk.

What would you say to people who may initially feel uncomfortable doing something like a silent disco walk?

Firstly, the silent disco headphones can almost act as a sort of barrier between you and the person next to you – so you aren’t expected to talk or strike up conversation with strangers who might turn up.

The joy is that you’re invited to come and be in your own little world, connecting with the tunes and getting into your own movement.

Pictured: "You’re invited to come and be in your own little world."

Secondly, it’s just walking at your own pace. There is a 250m range between the music transmitter and the headphones, so you can take your time and still be part of the gang.

We also run 'smooth pace' walks for those who really want to keep things slow and flat.

How do you pick the music for each walk? Can guests have a say in what they listen to?

I have a big old playlist already curated to fit the demographic the walk is planned for, and then in pure DJ style I select tunes as I go to suit the mood.

And yes, of course people can make requests! We have regular posts in our Facebook group where people can come and make requests (within reason!).

We haven’t had any death metal yet… but you never know!

What are your future plans for this initiative?

We trialled silent disco bootcamps and silent disco yoga on the Biarritz Hotel sun terrace in summer 2024, so we wish to bring these back in 2025 with a bang.

Pictured: Those joining the walks can also make requests for songs to listen to.

Also, I’d love to do Album Listening Party walks, where we listen to the greatest albums of all time and just walk and listen, getting really submerged into the music.

We currently have 20 sets of headphones, but there’s nothing stopping us getting 100.

Imagine 100 people walking, singing and getting fit at the same time – inspiring!

GET INVOLVED...

To sign up for the groovy walking community, click HERE or visit Pro-Found PT's Facebook Page