There’s something special about Cape Town when the sun begins its descent — the sky painted in pinks and golds, the city buzzing with the energy of a Saturday winding down. But on May 3rd, 2025, something even more electric was unfolding above Bree Street. This wasn’t just another workout. It was a movement.
HIIT30 World has never just been about reps and sweat. It’s about heart. It’s about showing up — not just for your body, but for each other. Born from a vision to foster community, movement, and belonging, HIIT30 is where fitness meets connection. And on that golden Saturday evening, “More Than Reps” became more than a tagline — it became our lived reality.
As guests trickled into Rooftop on Bree, the air pulsed with anticipation. You could feel it — something big was about to unfold. This wasn’t a solo grind. It was a shared journey. A celebration of every drop of sweat, every beat of the DJ’s music, and every smile exchanged between strangers who left as friends.
The Early Hours: Laying the Groundwork for Greatness
While most of the city was still stretching out of sleep, the HIIT30 crew was already in motion. At 7am sharp, Rooftop on Bree transformed into a hive of purposeful activity. Founder Akeem Leves, charismatic host Thulani Chipanga, and dedicated ambassadors — Vuyo, Unathi, Owelthu — led the charge, joined by a committed crew that knew one thing: to create something extraordinary, you’ve got to build it from the ground up.
Pilates mats were laid out with precision. A vibrant stage was assembled for Zumba and high-intensity workouts. Audio and video setups were tested, tweaked, and tested again. Massage tables were rolled in for VIP guests — an indulgent touch that reminded everyone that recovery matters too. DJs prepped their sets. Water stations were stocked. Every detail, down to the lighting, was handled with care.
This was the behind-the-scenes magic. The grit before the glamour. The team wasn’t just setting up a venue — they were laying the foundation for a full-body, full-heart experience. And their energy would ripple through every moment that followed.
The Arrival: The City Gathers to Move Together
By 3:45pm, the rooftop began to fill with life. There was a buzz in the air — that kind of joyful, expectant chatter that bubbles up when people know they’re part of something good. The welcome team, gracefully led by Sina, greeted everyone like old friends. First-timers, long-time HIIT30 regulars, and curious newcomers were all embraced with the same warmth.
Ticket sales were still flowing at the door — a testament to how word-of-mouth (and perhaps a little FOMO) brought even more people into the fold. By 4:15pm, the space was pulsing — not just with music, but with community.
People mingled, laughed, stretched, and snapped selfies with the Cape Town skyline as their backdrop. It wasn’t just a workout. It was a reunion. A homecoming. A dance of diverse lives coming together through movement. And just like that, the city gathered — ready to sweat, smile, and surrender to the experience.
Session 1: Grounded & Graceful with Kayla’s Pilates
When Vuyo took the mic to welcome everyone, the energy softened into focus. It was time to begin. The first session — a Pilates flow guided by the graceful and grounded Kayla Hotz — offered the perfect transition into collective movement.
As the music swelled, Kayla invited the crowd into breath and body awareness. The energy shifted — not into high gear yet, but into something just as powerful: presence. People moved together, flowing through controlled stretches and core work, anchored in intention and alignment.
Even those watching from the balcony weren’t left out. Tony from the HIIT30 team made sure everyone could follow along — a beautiful display of the inclusivity that defines this community.
Yes, it was challenging. But the room didn’t feel strained. It felt unified. As the session closed and we paused for a 10-minute break, there was a lightness in the air — not just from the movement, but from the connections being forged. Conversations sparked. Water bottles clinked. Smiles widened.
In that moment, it was clear: this wasn’t just a class. It was a coming together.
Break 1: Beyond Fitness — Conversations, Laughter & Connection
As Kayla’s Pilates session wrapped up and the crowd caught their breath, the first 10-minute break rolled in — but trust us, it wasn’t just about water and wiping sweat. All around Rooftop on Bree, there was a beautiful hum of voices and laughter. Strangers were now talking like old friends, sharing fitness stories, swapping hydration tips, and bonding over that one move Kayla made everyone hold just a bit too long.
This was more than a breather. This was HIIT30 in motion — a reminder that what we’re building here is a community. A space where people belong. Where you come for the workout but stay for the people. You could feel it: this wasn’t just about reps — it was about connection.
Session 2: From Warm-up to Warrior Mode
At exactly 5:10 PM, Unathi and Vuyo jumped on stage — literally — to kickstart the warm-up, and the vibe was instantly electric. Their energy was magnetic. From big shoulder rolls to cheeky dance breaks, they had us smiling and stretching at the same time. The balcony crew didn’t miss out either — thanks to Tony and the HIIT team making sure everyone outside was moving too.
Then the music shifted. It was go-time.
Akeem Leves, our founder, took over and turned things all the way up. His 15-minute HIIT challenge? Let’s just say you could feel the effort in the air. From jumping lunges to burpees, to plank holds that tested everyone’s will — Akeem brought the fire. The crowd responded in kind. Some powered through with warrior focus, others giggled through the burn, but everyone kept moving. And when Akeem shouted, “Let’s go HIIT30 family!” — you’d better believe the rooftop echoed back.
Zumba Ignites the Rooftop: Keagan’s Electric Set
If energy had a name, it would be Keagan Canterbury. As the HIIT session ended and the sweat barely had time to dry, Keagan stepped up — and suddenly, the rooftop turned into a dance floor.
It was vibes.
Zumba, HIIT30 style, is something else. With Tyla’s Water blasting and the city skyline sparkling in the background, people let go. There was jumping, twirling, singing, and full-on belly laughs. It didn’t matter if you had rhythm or not — you were moving. You were free.
Keagan was on fire — leading the charge with sass, style, and serious moves. People couldn’t stop raving. We overheard one participant say, “I didn’t know I needed that. But I did.”
This was joy. Collective, unfiltered joy. It was movement as medicine, and everyone drank it in.
Break 2: The Calm Before the Final Storm
After Keagan’s dance-fuelled blaze, we took a quick 10-minute pitstop to hydrate, stretch, and mentally prep for what was next. People were glowing — part from sweat, part from joy — and the air buzzed with anticipation.
Because up next? The closer. The storm. The man himself.
Main Event: Thulani Takes Over the Rooftop
You felt it the second Thulani Chipanga stepped on stage. This wasn’t just another session. This was a movement. Thulani’s energy is hard to describe — part coach, part hype man, part magician — pulling everyone in, body and soul.
From the first shout to the last squat, he had the entire rooftop in the palm of his hand. He didn’t stay on stage — no, Thulani was everywhere. Running down to the front row, climbing up to the balcony, even calling out names and pulling people into the action.
The exercises were no joke — think jumping squats, high knees, and full-body burners. But what truly stood out was the connection. When Thulani counted down, the whole crowd counted back. When he yelled “Push!”, people pushed harder. When he pointed to the sky, arms flew up in unison. It was powerful. Emotional.
This was the heart of HIIT30. More than just reps. It was unity. Family. Effort. Sweat. And love.
As the session wrapped, the applause was deafening. But the night wasn’t quite done yet…
The Surprise Twist: HIIT30 Community Games
ust when we thought the day couldn’t get any better, the HIIT30 team threw in a surprise that took everyone by joyful storm: the first-ever HIIT30 Community Games.
It started with a good old-fashioned Tug of War. Two teams. One thick rope. The goal? Pull your way to victory — but mostly, laugh your way through it. The crowd erupted as sneakers skidded and teammates screamed playful encouragement. The rope danced back and forth over the HIIT30 logo marker, until, at last, one side gave a mighty tug and claimed the win — and the prize: exclusive HIIT30 gifts.
But the fun wasn’t over. Next up: the Balance & Speed Race. Two women volunteered for what became one of the most entertaining highlights of the evening. The challenge? Pick up scattered items, one by one, and stack them on a podium. Speed met strategy. Laughter met competition. And when one participant crossed the finish line, grinning ear-to-ear with her trophy, the crowd roared as if we’d all won — because, honestly, we had.
These unexpected games weren’t just playful extras — they deepened what HIIT30 is all about: fun, togetherness, and movement beyond the workout.
Final Reflections: What the Rooftop Taught Us
As the sun dipped below the Cape Town skyline and the last beats of music faded into the evening air, something lingered — a feeling. A sense that we’d just been part of something bigger than ourselves.
This event wasn’t just a repeat of our December 2024 edition — it was a step forward. More experiences. More stories. A deeper, fuller expression of the HIIT30 spirit. We pushed harder, laughed louder, and connected deeper.
One team member put it perfectly:
“There’s something magical about sweating it out next to strangers and leaving as friends.”
As the guests slowly filtered out, saying their thank-yous and see-you-soons, the HIIT30 team rolled up their sleeves — not to rest, but to help clean. The Rooftop on Bree staff worked alongside them, wiping down surfaces, packing up mats, and stacking chairs. No one had to say it out loud, but everyone felt it: humility, gratitude, unity.
That’s how the evening ended — not with a big bang, but with quiet acts of service. The kind of ending that stays with you.
Closing: This Is Just the Beginning
So… what now?
If you felt something on that rooftop — joy, belonging, purpose, or just a whole lot of sweat — then know this: you were part of the beginning. HIIT30 World isn’t just a fitness event; it’s a movement. One that’s growing with every pulse of music, every rep, and every connection made in between.
We’re not stopping here. From more pop-up sessions to national events, from collaborations with trainers across the globe to new ways to move, laugh, and grow together — we’re only just getting started.
We’d love you to come along for the ride.
👉 Follow us, share your story, bring a friend next time. This isn’t just fitness. This is HIIT30 World — and you belong here.
