MATCHA + MOVEMENT
Why More Coaches are Choosing Matcha with Maria Eleftheriou, Psycle London Director of Concepts.
Psycle London is one of London's leading boutique fitness studios, offering seven workouts across the city. Their new London Bridge studio is a short five minute walk from JENKI Borough Market and home to two of their most effective workouts - Ride and Lagree.
Ride delivers an immersive, music-led cardio workout that builds endurance and clears the mind, while Lagree develops strength, stability and muscular endurance.
We spoke to their Director of Concepts, Maria Eleftheriou, about how matcha fits into their routines around classes, the habits they rely on and the small choices that help them perform at their best.
Continue reading for an exclusive psycle discount.
SO, WHY MATCHA & MOVEMENT?
Matcha naturally contains both caffeine and L-theanine, an amino acid found in tea leaves. Together, they create a smoother, more sustained feeling of alertness, without the sharper spike and crash often associated with coffee. It's one of the reasons matcha has become a popular choice before training, between classes and as an afternoon reset.
PSYCLE COACHES: INSIDE THE DAILY RITUALS
For Psycle's Coaches, staying energised isn't only about the hour spent teaching a class. It's about maintaining that energy throughout the day, class after class, and finding routines that are sustainable.
JENKI Team: "Why has matcha become part of your routine?"
Maria: "I've always been intentional about how I fuel my body properly before and after movement, and matcha has become a natural part of that. I love that it gives me a boost in energy without the crash I sometimes get from coffee. It helps me feel focused, whether i'm heading into a workout or tackling a busy day."
There is growing interest in how this combination may support performance. Research suggests that caffeine combined with L-theanine may help maintain focus and reaction time, particularly as fatigue begins to set in, often the point in a workout where alertness really most.
For coaches, often teaching multiple classes a day, maintaining consistent energy is key.
JENKI Team: "When do you usually reach for matcha during your day?"
Maria: "Usually before a morning class or workout when I want to feel energised and focused, but I also love it in the afternoon as my energy naturally starts to dip."
MATCHA FOR RECOVERY
The benefits of matcha don't necessarily end when your workout does. Matcha is naturally rich in catechins, a group of powerful antioxidants found in green tea, particularly EGCG. While no drink replaces good nutrition, quality sleep or a solid recovery routine, emerging research suggests these compounds may help reduce exercise-induced oxidative stress and support the body's natural recovery processes.
JENKI Team:
"What's one recovery habit you never skip?"
Maria: "Cooling down properly. It's tempting to rush off after a class, but taking a few extra minutes to stretch, slow my breathing and let my heart rate come down makes such a difference. Recovery is just as important as the workout itself, and it's something I always try to prioritise."
EXCLUSIVE OFFER: 50% OFF AT PSYCLE
From now until Thursday 20th August, you can experience Ride at Psycle London Bridge for 50% off. Simply purchase a single standard credit and enter the code JENKI50 at checkout to redeem your discount.
Psycle has seven studios across London offering seven workouts. Discover their locations here.
QUICK FIRE QUESTIONS WITH MARIA
What's your go-to JENKI order? A Rose and Collagen matcha latte with coconut milk.
Iced or hot? Hot.
Before class or after class? Before class.
Favourite Psycle workout? It’s so hard to choose but recently I’ve been loving Lagree at London Bridge. It’s the ultimate full-body workout and one of my favourite areas of London.
Morning or evening workouts? Morning - I’m an early bird!
One wellness habit you never skip? Getting good quality sleep. It's essential for making sure I coach, train, recover and feel my best.