Who Wears Short Shorts?

For over a year, the Swedish craze Heyrobics has been spreading its brand of zany, pink-shorted exercise across the city. As a new group of Beijing-trained instructors start jumping to the front of the class, there can be no doubt this workout trend is here to stay. We had a chat with new instructor Brittany Dunn about who looks good in shorts and what songs are banned from her sessions.

How long does it take to become an instructor?
Training kicks off with an intensive weekend led by Heyrobics founder Johan Holmsäter, in which we learn the fundamentals. Over the next few months, we’re given assignments and tasks to complete. We train in pairs and small groups and often end up bouncing around in each other’s living rooms. Then we get to jump into other instructors’ sessions and try our songs. It’s all done at your own pace; the more time you’re able to commit to it, the faster you can complete the training. Our group started in late November and many of us are finishing now or soon.

What are the qualifications? Do we need to look good in shorts?
Pink shorts look great on all! You need to be enthusiastic about exercise and be energetic, have previously attended HEY sessions, be able to keep the beat to a song and have the time to commit to training.

How has your life changed now that you’re leading sessions?
I have a lot more energy. My friends make fun of me more. Some people just assume I’m Swedish because I’m sporting the colors.

How do you decide what songs to play? Is Lady Gaga mandatory?
Gaga is great since her songs definitely get you pumped! But we also need a range from slow to fast. Song selection is not easy. You need to figure out the beats per minute (BPM) as well as the character and soul of the song. I end up choosing the songs that really make me want to move.

What songs or singers will you never play?
I don’t think I could keep a straight face during Justin Bieber.

Who would you like to see in pink shorts?
More Chinese people and more guys!

Do they take away your pink shorts if you do something wrong?
I hope not.

Finish this sentence: Heyrobics is like …
… A wild party: You laugh, you sweat, meet people and leave smiling.

Get moving with Brittany in Lido on Monday at 6.45pm during July or check out Heyrobics.com for the latest schedule.

Click here to see the Beijinger July issue in full.

Photo: Sui