fighting-fit

If someone would have told me in the spring of 2008 that I would spend upwards of 6 hours a week training at any sport, I never would have believed it. I have never been a particularly sporty person and have tried various activities over the years in an effort to get fit but I never found anything that ever stuck for more than a few months.

I started at Fighting Fit by accident in early summer 2008 when my flatmate asked me to come along to a class with her. After a couple of taster sessions, I was completely hooked and joined the club. Fighting Fit continues to challenge me physically and mentally. Initially I was very unfit and focused on pushing myself to complete a class without having to stop for a rest. The next challenge on the list was beating my stage fright so I would be able to grade and move up through the belts.

Other challenges have included completing the Instructors Course for one; as well as some other courses which are ongoing, like learning to spar with the higher grades in the school and with people who have a longer arm reach than my leg reach!

My self confidence has grown so much during my time at Fighting Fit that I am now Assistant Instructor and have gone from stage fright and sleepless nights before grading, to standing in front of a class of children and their parents a couple of times a week, demonstrating techniques with the Instructors and helping the class aim towards achieving their belts.

The social element is important to me with anything I am involved in and I have made loads of good friends training at Fighting Fit, some of who are now more like family.

The social life is also brilliant for the extra bit of motivation that's sometimes needed to get me to class after a long day at work – I have found that it’s easier to really commit to the sport when you enjoy the training and also see your friends at the same time.
I went from being a couch potato, to Fighting Fit Female Martial Artist of the year 2009. I have given up (most of) my bad habits, including smoking – although I still have a pretty serious chocolate addiction. I am fitter, happier, more confident and in better shape than I have ever been and have exceeded all of my own expectations.

To anyone not sure whether they should give Martial Arts a go, I would just encourage you to come down to class and join in - you never know until you try and you might surprise yourself.