Today we’d like to introduce you to Hilken Mancini.
Hilken, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Punk Rock Aerobics started back in 2000, PRA challenged the prevailing notions of fitness, and conformity by providing an exercise class in rock clubs only, that functioned as an alternative to the “gym bunny” culture. PRA strives to entertain, and to keep fitness fun. The ultimate goal is to provide a solid and complete workout, disguised as entertainment- with a special guest “Rock Star” DJ’s to spin its killer punk rock soundtrack all the while.
Just like three chords in a classic punk rock song, Punk Rock Aerobics gives you three moves to exercise to in that “classic punk rock song”. Punk Rock Aerobics combines original punk rock moves and classic aerobic moves to make one rocked-up workout. It’s a combination of exercise and controlled chaos that will achieve improved physical fitness, but will also entertain music fans and punks alike. It’s the work out that rocks out as a 60minute exercise class set to a soundtrack of classic punk rock songs. It is infused with the same humor, attitude, and aesthetics that are integral to the identity of what “Punk Rock” and “DIY” means.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Running a business that makes little or no money and having a business partner within that realm there will always be a few bumps in the road. I and the Co-creator Maura Jasper no longer work together but now Melanie has breathed new life in to the workout and Punk Rock Aerobics is back and just as Punk as it always was. It started before there were people holding “Punk Rope” or “Punk Rock Yoga” and now most gyms have stolen the idea and commercialized it but we have kept that DIY aesthetic and never did it in gyms or sold out to some terrible “infomercial” ha ha
Please tell us about Punk Rock Aerobics.
That we came up with this idea before anyone else was doing it and that a lot of people from Kelly Osbourne (when we held classes at the Game On festival in London) or to the people who come to our class always said they had the same idea but just never did it. That’s’ what makes us different we actually made it happen. DIY style It has been around a long time and we have kept it always in rock clubs or alternative spaces – anti gym culture and mostly is held at Girls Rock Camps which is what I (Hilken) do now as well. I founded the Girls Rock Camp in Boston so we run some of the moves and punk songs in the assemblies at camp!
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Watching Sonny and Cher on television. That and my mom just being there for me whenever I did anything. She always boosted my self-esteem and made me feel great for just being who I was.
Contact Info:
- Website: punkrockaerobics.com
- Phone: 617 522 5066
- Email: hilken@punkrockaerobics.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/Punk-Rock-Aerobics-818393064938667/photos/?tab=album&album_id=818395941605046
Image Credit:
Peaches Goodrich
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