‘Lift heavy things, listen to heavy music’: gym’s new take on exercise

A Melbourne gym has given a new meaning to pumping iron by adding an “almost evil” death metal soundtrack to its classes.

The primal, visceral sounds of death metal has redefined the unique class, dubbed Deadlifts and Death Metal, in Melbourne’s north.

Personal trainer Elissa Jewell says she was encouraged to create the gym classes to cater to clients’ tastes.

Instructor Elissa Jewell runs a Deadlifts and Death Metal class in Melbourne.Credit:Eddie Jim

“It’s a very raw, almost sort of evil sounding music,” she said.

“We listen to the musical equivalent, you know, of a gory horror film because it brings us joy.”

A former body builder, Jewell created the classes not only to meet client demand but because it was something she wished she’d had access to.

“It’s exciting to listen to powerful music and to lift really heavy weights,” she said, adding the combination provided an intense dopamine rush.

Elissa Jewell and her clients pose in front of death metal posters. Credit:Eddie Jim

The 37-year-old started running a class every month five years ago, but through word of mouth at gigs, it became more popular.

In April, Jewell opened a permanent space in Preston, where she runs weekly classes and personal training for groups of up to four people.

It’s the opposite of nameless and faceless gyms, and has developed a devoted following.

Regular attendee Tom Prince said the music helped him reach his personal goals.

“When you’re pushing yourself with extreme exertion, to smash a personal best, do you think Taylor Swift is the right soundtrack for that?” he said.

Client Shae Murphy executes a deadlift as Jewell monitors her technique. Credit:Eddie Jim

Prince said that while some people think of death metal music as “abrasive, ear-bleeding and loud”, he finds it energetic, and it gets him in the right mindset.

“It gets you moving, and it touches a part of you that commercially produced top 40 music just doesn’t,” he said.

And it’s not just the music Prince is a fan of, but the community the gym has fostered as well.

“The t-shirts may be gruesome and the music even more so, but not the vibe, the inclusivity and the atmosphere,” he said. “Everyone just wants to have a good time.”

Self-confessed metal head Shae Murphy followed the gym on social media for a year before she signed up. Now she goes four times a week.

“The sheer sort of intensity and brutality [of the music] is almost like a relief in a way,” she said.

She has also managed to improve both her technique and how much she can lift, starting with 20 kilograms 12 months ago. She now lifts 70 kilograms.

“Instead of going to the pub, it’s doing something wholesome and Elissa is a really awesome trainer,” Murphy said.

Helping people build their skills and strength is one of the reasons Jewell wanted to become a trainer, after starting a bodybuilding program with someone who let her down.

“I was on a ridiculous fad diet,” Jewell said.

“I was doing three hours of training, every day. No carbohydrates.”

At the end of the 12-week program, she was eating 700 calories a day and still doing hours of intense exercise.

For years afterwards she struggled with eating disorders, such as bulimia, orthorexia and body dysmorphia.

Now she tries to educate and help clients with a holistic approach to diet and exercise.

“Or at least appeal to moderation a little more,” Jewell said.

It’s a message Dan McKay appreciates. After one open day he said he learnt a lot and was able to tweak his technique to make it safer, with Jewell’s help.

Besides the music, he said her teaching style kept him coming back.

“Lift heavy things and listen to heavy music. It’s pretty simple,” he said.

For those who might find the music intimidating, Jewell has a simple message.

“Metal heads are some of the sweetest, most friendly, really supportive people you’ll ever know”

“Despite our exterior, we’re really quite welcoming.”

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