Cristina Galafate
Updated Saturday, February 3, 2024-08:53
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He is not a dancer. Neither is a personal trainer. But businessman
Daniel Bermeo
is willing to revolutionize Madrid with the latest proposal from London. His charming boutique center combines fitness and Latin rhythms in the same space. "It all started because of
Despacito
," he says, about the reason that led him to start the project. The great song by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee that broke all records involving Justin Bieber himself made him move his body a lot and enjoy.
"I noticed three problems in society." The first, he says, about
80% of people don't do sports
because they find it very boring. "The least
fit
are the ones who need to move the most. And you're not going to convince them by taking them to a conventional gym."
The second is that
the dance industry is very old-fashioned
, with giant mirrors where you can see your wrinkles in that hospital light. "Still, they do well but either they are intimidating to the general public because the people are very professional, or more of the same, as happens with Zumba, with all due respect, but they are movement patterns that become monotonous and repetitive ".
And finally,
there is a lot of loneliness and depression
. "It's terrible, although there are people who don't like to admit it, how sad and unaccompanied some people feel, without that network or community from before."
Faced with this need to practice more exercise, dynamically, in group classes suitable for beginners, he developed a concept that he called DAN'S, Spanishizing the verb to dance, from the English
dance
, just as it sounds when pronounced. "Although I am from Quito (Ecuador), I lived for 14 years in the city of London, very hectic and somewhat gray, and I wanted to
inject Latin culture
, an effective antidote to the mental health epidemic."
MORE THAN DANCE
The entrepreneur has been designing the concept for years, which first opened in London, United Kingdom.BERNARDO DÍAZ
He had a fresh, modern, inclusive vision without the need for previous experience, which he took to Oxford Circus, in the heart of the city. It worked well but the pandemic arrived. And, with his experience as an entrepreneur, he decided to go to Spain. "I wanted a change and
I knew the idea was good
. I didn't want to let it die."
Before, he had had other companies, such as Terrafertil, with two brothers and two cousins. "We founded the healthy
snack
brand
Nature's Heart and became present in four Latin American countries, with distribution in twenty, and employing a
team of more than 1,000 people
."
In 2018, they sold it to Nestlé. "One of the greatest entrepreneurship stories in the region," she defends. And the reason why a
life mission dedicated to well-being has been so important to him.
"We all know how current gyms live on thousands of members who pay for memberships, but hardly use them. Madrid is the perfect place to put an end to that culture, plus, those who came to classes in London the most were Spaniards. It was in my plans of expansion because it is at its peak," he laughs.
A SPORTS LOVER
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Bermeo was also a professional tennis player while studying Economics and Political Science at Davidson College in North Carolina (United States). "I played in the Division I NCAA in the USA. I have always liked the world of sports and nutrition, taking care of ourselves to feel good.
I got into dancing to brighten my life
and I got hooked until I didn't want to miss a day," he remembers.
Now, with colorful murals by Celia Cruz in the background, it offers a huge platform from which to release your body while dancing and release emotions. But not only. "I don't want people taking
selfies
in the mirror saying how cool my muscles are, the idea is to socialize having a drink after class at this bar. And end up making friends.
Create human connections
."
BAR AND WORKOUT
The place is a colorful room with a mural by Celia Cruz, a huge platform and a fitness room to train strength next to the dance floor.EM
It doesn't matter the origin, age, language or sex. "Here we come to feel free and let ourselves go, living in the moment.
It's a party! Pure happiness
."
It has two types of classes: Groove, to learn to dance, and the Sweat program, which is divided into strength exercises that work different parts of the body combined with the cardio of dancing. In addition, it has a room for more private sessions. "
Dancers are actors.
I like that they encourage, that they have attitude. If you have fun, you come back. It stops being an obligation and becomes the best time of your day."
DNA
DAN'S is at 7 Barceló Street.
Strength and dance classes
Personal training
Bar with smoothies, juices and snacks
Membership from €59 per month