Why We All Need A Place To Go That Isn’t Home or Work

In partnership with The Rockhouse

Cheers. Central Perk. The Rovers Return. The Queen Vic. These places all have one thing in common. They are places where community comes together. Places where you can turn up alone and more than likely meet with someone that you know. A place ‘where everybody knows your name’, if you will.

In the 1980s, sociologist Ray Oldenburg coined the term ‘third space’ when he recognised that people needed an additional regular space in their lives alongside home and work. A place where you can build relationships and connect with others. In many cultures, this is still a place of religion, such as the church, temple or mosque. Most of us remember our fathers or grandfathers popping to ‘the club’ a couple of nights a week.

Healthy Breakfast

In a post-pandemic, AI-dominant world, people are craving connection and community. We know this. We see it. This is not the first time that we are talking about this. It makes sense. As humans we need human interaction.

For a lot of people, the gym is a place where you go regularly, recognise a few faces and maybe have a chat on the way out. Maybe not. But this is where boutique fitness studios are stepping that up - they added more reasons to stay as a part of the architecture, like a juice bar, community events and shopping and chic seating areas. Emphasis on the ‘chic’ because this is how the trend has really taken off. By making these places aesthetic, it pulls people in. But don’t be fooled - people may come for the Instagrammable setting, but they’ll stay for the community they find there.

This is what the team at The Rockhouse are building at Victoria Avenue here in Guernsey: Wellness Studios, already open and offering reformer and mat pilates, as well as yoga and community events. And a Sports Social Club with a pickleball arena, high end clay pigeon, darts and golf simulators alongside a buzzing cafe and retail area. Stef recently went along to try their new infrared mat pilates offering at the studios, and had a chat with the team.

Fancy trying The Rockhouse? Get 25% off your first month's membership with code THELIST25

Here’s Why The Third Space Works:

1. It Combats Loneliness.

There is a loneliness epidemic happening - and it’s happening right here in Guernsey. A lot of this is down to the fact that modern society has removed the third space from our lives - we don’t all go to church, we work from home more, we work out at home more, we grab a coffee and sit on our phones instead of making conversation. We’re lonely - even if we’re out and about. Becoming an active member of a club can slowly combat this.

2. It Builds Routine.

Becoming a regular at a class, not only helps with accountability, but also helps you to build healthy habits that naturally stack up. There is much less friction when you go to a place that welcomes you with open arms, as place you enjoy spending time in. All any of us are looking for when it comes to a fitness routine is consistency over willpower. For hobbies to become habits. We don’t want our workout routine to be a choice every time, we want it to be ingrained in our lives.

3. It Builds A Sense of Community & Belonging.

We all want to feel like we belong somewhere. Like we fit in. If we want to go to pilates because we want to see Ali and see how her weekend away was, or because we need to hear how Kate’s date went, then not only does the pilates just happen as part of the experience, but we gain so much more from it. Human beings need to have an innate sense of belonging that creates that inner calm. Being a part of a club or community can do that.

4. It Builds Identity.

Are you a pilates girly, a sea swimmer, a runner? (You can be all 3 by the way…). You are much more likely to return to a space if you like the person you are when you are there. Are you a Rockhouse member? Yes?! Cool! (If not, use code THELIST25 for 25% off your first month)

5. It Creates Shared Experience & Achievement.

Ever felt the need to eye roll/complain about that instructor who definitely can’t count (‘Did she say 4 twice?!’), or laugh about how you’ll never hold that plank for as long as she says? It’s easy to start a conversation with people when you share experiences and hobbies. The rest flows from there. Plus, you all naturally get fitter and stronger together - just think of the water cooler chat after you do hold that plank for that 15 count 10 seconds!

If you are looking for a third space to spend some time, then this is what the founders and team at The Rockhouse are creating - a place to come together multiple times a week. A place you can turn up to alone because you’ll know someone there. A place that doesn’t know you by your job title or relationship status. (An hour to do pilates and grab a coffee with likeminded people without anyone emailing or calling out ‘muuuuum’? Sign us up!).

You can find out more about the Rockhouse Wellness Studios and the upcoming Sports Social Club opening by visiting therockhouse.gg. We’ll see you there!