Taking the fitness industry by storm, Leeds is now home to a brand new boutique fitness studio called RYDE.
A huge £400,000 investment has brought two high-tech studios to Leeds where RYDE hopes to attract clients "from all walks of life" and facilitate an immersive workout for the entire body.
Designed to leave those working out energised and hungry for more, there's a wealth of high-impact and high-energy classes on offer, all to the beat of uplifting music to get gym-goers pumped each session.
Image: RYDE
Expect technical lighting systems, experienced instructors and state-of-the-art equipment befitting of a five-star hotel- and that's just the beginning.
The idea with RYDE is that it offers a personalised experience, bespoke to each individual need. With this in mind, the boutique company doesn't subscribe to long-term memberships (unless that's what you're after) and instead opts for blocks of session bookings so guests can trial a range of activities without the stress of everlasting membership.
Unique to RYDE are three classes, each with a different beat and tempo: RYDE Cycle is a full-body rhythm workout that promises to raise temperatures and challenge clients both physically and mentally whilst RYDE Flow is an athletic style yoga session concentrating on cardio sequences and strengthening the full body.
Image: RYDE Studios
Finally, RYDE Barre is a bass-heavy workout designed for lengthening, strengthening and defining muscles.
Owner Kyle Harris, a keen observer of fitness trends wanting to bring the best of what's going on in London and New York to Leeds. Speaking ahead of the launch, Kylesaid:
“In the midst of a global struggle over the past couple of years for so many, I took the opportunity to ignite my ideas and bring them to life - I am so excited for the upcoming launch of RYDE. A boutique studio in the heart of the city centre which is set to empower and inspire you in both mind, body and spirit.''
''Whether you’re on the bike, in the studio or popping in for a coffee you’ll become a part of the community from the get-go! We have future plans to expand across the UK and beyond, with Leeds as our home-hub and founding studio. This is the start of something magical and we can not wait to welcome everyone this Summer.”
Image: RYDE Studios
RYDE opened this Monday 4th July and is already proving a massive hit.
For more information, including how to sign up for the new boutique fitness experience, visit the RYDE website.
The Wombats aren’t just still going strong - they’re getting better. And honestly? Long may they reign.
The Wombats absolutely tore the roof off the First Direct Arena in Leeds last night, Wednesday 26 March and what a night it was.
From the second they hit the stage it wasn’t just a gig, it was a full-blown indie-pop spectacle, packed with infectious energy, nostalgia, and a whole lot of dancing.
They kicked things off with “Moving to New York,” and honestly? The crowd was in from the first note.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Matthew Murphy’s unmistakable vocals rang through the arena and suddenly, thousands of people were screaming every lyric like it was 2007 all over again. It was one of those moments where you could just feel how much this band still means to people.
Despite the massive venue, The Wombats somehow made it feel intimate. The lights? Pure chaos in the best way - vibrant, colourful, and totally in sync with the band’s wild, bouncy sound.
Murphy’s cheeky banter between songs made it feel less like a polished arena show and more like a jam session with a few thousand of your closest mates.
Setlist-wise, they nailed it. “Let’s Dance to Joy Division” and “Greek Tragedy” had the whole place losing it, while the stripped-down version of “Techno Fan” gave everyone a minute to breathe (and maybe get a little emotional).
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Those quieter moments just made the high-energy choruses hit even harder. It was a rollercoaster - in the best way possible.
Then came the encore. If you thought the crowd was loud before, “Kill the Director” took things to another level. Pure, chaotic indie bliss. The kind of moment you don’t want to end.
Here’s the thing about The Wombats: some might say their older songs hit harder than their newer stuff, but is that just nostalgia talking? Or maybe it’s a generational thing?
Either way, they proved they’re still one of the most exciting live bands out there. They’ve still got the hooks, the humour, and the ability to turn a massive arena into a sweaty, euphoric singalong.
Get Baked’s viral ‘Bertha’ cake has a sister on the way – and she sounds just as cheeky
Danny Jones
She's big, she's green and she's ready to ruin your figure.
A lot of you will have seen the viral ‘Bertha’ cake by Leeds born beloved sweet treat specialists Get Baked.
They recently opened another site in Manchester's Northern Quarter, where queues literally formed round the block of hungry punters wanting to get their hands on the infamous sugary treats.
And now it's going to happen all over again, as they've recently unveiled their newest flavour which is sure to go down a storm.
We’ll give you a hint: it’s a current food and drink trend that’s about as big as Bertha herself – it’s not matcha, it’s not hot honey (duh), and it’s not Guinness…
Images: Get Baked
Yes—scratch that; HELL YES!Get Baked is set to welcome Bertha’s equally beautiful twin sister, and she’s officially a pistachio girlie.
Having started out life simply as ‘Bruce’, after taking inspiration from the iconic scene from Matilda, this thing has become a phenomenon in its own right, and who doesn’t like more flavours of a good thing?
Probably one of the biggest foodie crazes going at the minute, thanks to the popularity of pistachio cream, cookies, lattes and the similar social media sensation that is the ‘Dubai Pistachio Bar' people are rather fittingly going nuts for this particular flavour of almost absolutely anything.
With that in mind, the Leeds-born bakery and dessert shop – founded by Rich Myers over in Headingley back in 2011 – have shown no hesitation in hopping on the bandwagon and creating a new twist on their own viral menu item.
Teasing the full details in a post on their Instagram this week, they wrote: “What’s big, green, and is going to destroy your life in a couple of weeks’ time? Pistachio Bertha. Strictly limited to 5,000 slices. Coming oh so soon. GB.”
In case you were wondering just how mad those with a sweet tooth could possibly go for a slice of cake, just look at the recent queues when they finally launched in Manchester city centre:
Speaking on the grand opening here on our turf and his partner Amy’s hometown, Myers said simply: “Manchester, what a launch. Thanks for much for the warm welcome. Stay baked.”
Sophie Smith -
19th May 2022 
