KICKING and punching have never been my scene – at least, not since those long-ago, carefree childhood days when sibling rivalry got the better of me.

My fitness, however, is not what it was or should be, and gyms don’t suit me because I find them eye-rollingly boring, so I decided to try a Muay Thai class. Muay Thai is a combat sport, with its roots stretching back to 18th century Thailand, and it is known as the Art of Eight Limbs, because it involves punches, kicks, elbow and knee strikes. It calls on physical and mental discipline, and acts as an all-over work-out.

It’s always daunting to try something new like this and as a woman of a certain age, I could certainly feel a bit intimidated by the environment of the studio, which I feared might be full of fierce-looking young men with big muscles – but early Monday evening, at Gracie Barra in the Orbit Centre off Ashworth Road, it’s an all-women class. I am ready to give it a go.

My instructor is Becky Ball, and watching her practise with Muay Thai coach James Fisher, I’m impressed with just how strong, quick and focussed she looks. She took up the practice of Muay Thai four years ago, quickly became a committed student, and now trains several times a week – as well as teaching classes.

Monday’s session is straight after work, and made up of half a dozen women, ranging in age from 14 to 44. We start the class with a warm-up of circuit training, with various strength-training exercises to undertake for a minute at a time. The intervals mean it stays interesting. Once the warm-up is done, and having worked up a sweat, we pair up. One person dons gloves, while the other holds large pads, and we start to practise different sequences of punches and kicks. For a moment it feels awkward, throwing punches, but quickly it becomes surprisingly exciting.

Even though I’m all over the place, can’t remember the sequences very well, and hop onto the wrong leg and forget to keep my gloves in front of my face, the adrenalin is pumping. I am amazed how satisfying it is when you hit the pad as hard as you can. We swap partners, try new sequences, use and elbow or a knee, and pretty soon I feel like every muscle in my body is working harder then it has in a long time. Becky is very patient and encouraging, able to give clear and comprehensible instructions, and doesn’t make you feel like an idiot when you mistake your left from your right (and not for the first time). The hour races by, and when the session is over, I am not watching the clock, feeling exhausted or thinking ‘thank goodness’ – as is often the case after a gym session. In fact, I feel energised – more than energised – on a bit of a high.

Becky Willis, 44, who lives in Swindon, has been learning Muay Thai for four months and although she already has an impressive fitness regime, she says the combat sport has made an impact: “Everybody is really friendly here,” she said. “I’ve already noticed a difference in my fitness and strength.”

Two years into learning Muay Thai, Sorrel Richards, 43, from Highworth, followed in the footsteps of her 14-year-old daughter Ashleigh, who is also a member of the class.

“Ashleigh is a competitive fencer and wanted something to help build up her core. This works the whole body,” Sorrel said. “It’s great fun and I like the fitness side of it. It makes you feel so good about yourself.”

“It’s good for your body and your mind. It’s good to be so focussed on something – it’s a mental work-out and I would one-hundred per cent encourage other women to do it.”

When I leave the Gracie Barra studio, I am resolved to give Muay Thai a second try. Great instructor, friendly class, stress relieving all-over work-out and lots of fun – that’s a powerful combination.

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