It All Works Out

Our fitness goals are now a click away

- MIA CASTRO

What was supposed to be brick-and-mortar gyms integrated with technology, Erwan Heussaff, Nico Bolzico, and Gilles Hage’s first foray into the fitness industry hit pause when the pandemic forced a new stay-at home reality. While it’s no question that working out became one of the top coping mechanisms, Heussaffshares that there was still a disconnect between fitness and the local community. “We’re so used to seeing Westerners and their bodies are different; they’re genetically built very different from us. If you look at any diet plan from the US, you’ll see ingredients like kale or Swiss chard, and these are very healthy but they’re also inaccessible here in the country.” With a digital app already at their disposal, they decided to take on a new goal: to create an online platform that localized exercise and health content to the Filipino needs.

From Filipino coaches, recipes made with local hero ingredients, and even a gender-inclusive sign-up form, their free fitness, and wellness app called REBEL is breaking down the barriers that normally hinder people from living an active lifestyle. “It was really important for us that people don’t feel intimidated and that they see coaches that look like them and can relate to,” Heussaff explains. “Because at the end of the day, anyone should be able to go on the app and find something that works for them and to become better at whatever their goals might be.” While REBEL is now the #1 fitness app in the Philippines, their community is ever-growing with new members joining from all around the world. “The funny thing is we’re not a gym, we’re not a studio but we run close to 20 lives (live workout sessions) a week, which is a lot,” he proudly says.