Classes are tough, but left me wanting more (From Worcester News)

Classes are tough, but left me wanting more

10:48am Friday 27th August 2010 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(0)

IT happens to the best of us. A few chocolate biscuits here, a night out there and suddenly one day you wake up two stone overweight.

Many of us look to celebrities for weight-loss inspiration but daft diets and extreme surgery can be tough to emulate.

Kerry Katona and Jennifer Ellison are among the latest celebs who have unveiled sleeker, toned bodies after turning to Army fitness training sessions.

The results are impressive, but not particularly realistic for normal folk who would rather spend hard-earned holiday time on holiday. One man in Worcester is trying to change that and, unfortunately, he wants my help.

Matt Newman, a Paratrooper turned fitness instructor, has set up his own military-style exercise class which meets at Worcester’s Gheluvelt Park on Wednesday nights. Mr Newman, aged 35, of Blackpole, Worcester, has run the class for three months with the help of Robbie Harris, a former Royal Marine from Evesham, and has just started a second class on Monday nights.

“Why not come down and take part?” he asks.

I can think of several reasons to stay at home, but it’s an opportunity I can’t really pass up.

I’d like to say I’m carrying excess baby weight, but two years on I have to accept that I can’t blame the baby forever.

There is talk in the office of me crawling through mud and being barked at by scary sergeant major types – so I am genuinely nervous as I set off to the park.

However, when I arrive Mr Newman and Mr Harris, dressed in fatigues, are very reassuring.

Mr Newman says: “People think it’s all about shouting and bawling but it’s not. We encourage, but you do work to your own level.

“We are not going to destroy you, but we are not going to let you be lazy either and we are going to make sure you get the maximum benefit out of the hour.”

I’m relieved to hear the class, run in conjunction with Worcester City Council, includes men and women aged from 20 to 50 and of mixed ability level.

Mr Newman adds: “Some of them have been here from the start.

“You can see their level of fitness has improved, their stamina and their strength and it’s changed their physical appearance as well.”

He believes people get more from it than the gym as members encourage each other and there’s a feeling of camaraderie.

He also advocates exercising outdoors saying people are essentially animals who thrive if they are moving about in fresh air.

Fortunately it’s a mild evening as I join 14 fit-looking people who have gathered at the side of the park nearest the Pump House.

Regular Chris Oliver, aged 34, of Fernhill Heath, cannot speak highly enough of the class, which costs £4 a session. He says: “It’s excellent, really good. I’ve lost two stone. You do feel absolutely exhausted at the end of it and really rewarded.”

Soon I’m running around touching the ground with my hands or shoulders as directed.

My face is burning, my heart is pounding and I’m already out of breath. Our instructors split us into teams of three and mark out sprint runs of varying lengths.

They explain that as one of us sprints to the end and back the others will do exercises such as sit ups, squats and something called, rather bizarrely, a “burpy”.

“Work as a team,” we are instructed. “The quicker you run the less exercises your team do.”

They quickly talk us through the exercises and then Mr Harris, aged 27, yells, “Are you all briefed?

Happy days!”

His cheerfulness raises a smile from my team but it’s shortlived as I realise my sprinting ability is, frankly, dismal.

I’m amazed to see those taking part seem happy and super motivated but when one of the instructors shouts, “Come on, let’s get this done,” the penny finally drops. If I’m here anyway I may as well go for it.

Shortly after this revelation I jump (lumber) up from one set of exercises to discover my legs have gone all weak and wobbly.

Strangely, though, I push on, even though no one is preventing me from taking a breather.

The last 15 minutes are pretty tough but suddenly it’s warm down time and yes, as promised, I do feel really proud of myself. I’m thinking I might even go back.

Classes start at 6.30pm. For more information see fitnessjunkie.co.uk.