Punch it like Klitschko

As the Schueberfouer draws to a close, I find myself struggling to do the same with my jeans. Racked by an omni-present guilty conscience for overindulging on the fouer's many delicious treats , I just about convinced myself to dive into the sweaty world of sports.

The problem is though that I truly, deeply hate sports.

Well at least I did, until I found myself in the midst of the lush, green Pétrusse valley, wearing a pair of bright-red boxing gloves.

Surrounded by twenty or so adrenalin-high women, punching and kicking out all pent-up frustration, there was no way out. The otherwise idyllic mini-golf space suddenly turned into a boxing camp and, just as I was about to discreetly flee to my car and escape, I was energetically welcomed to JessBoxing.

“Black eyes and broken noses are not my type of fun”

Jess Lampeitl started Fitness Boxing or “Boxercise”, as the trend is more commonly known, in 2003. “I've always been into rough, boy sports; Wrestling, Karate, Rugby and so on,“ explains the petite but toned instructor, adding: “But, black eyes and broken noses are not my type of fun”.

Lucky me. My hopes for the next hour begin to pick up.

Born in Sweden, Jessica knows what she's talking of. After being knocked out in an amateur fight in front of her husband and newborn son she realised that “sore heads, blood and tears do not go well with being a responsible mother”.

So, she opted for boxing minus the rearranged nose and that's essentially what Boxercise is about. Beside the stress release in a safe outlet, participants benefit from “the most laser-sharp shape of your life in just four weeks”.

Alright then, now I was convinced and cast thoughts of fleeing out of my mind.

Uppercuts and Jabs, Cross or Hooks?

I was paired-up with a lady of around my mum's age – what a relief, I ignorantly assumed. It only took a couple of seconds to be taught a lesson by my new partner. Fit as a fiddle she told me: “I've been boxing here since the first day.”

I grinned back in an effort not to look scared.

For the next painful 55 minutes, we took turns in boxing or holding pads. By now, holding the pads against the blows she threw at me was almost more tiring than punching itself. I had barely understood the first exercise when Jess blew the whistle. Off I hurried to the next 'station', a new exercise and always “More Power!”.

It took years, but Hollywood's Rocky Balboa and his infinite sequels finally proved somewhat useful. Terms such as Uppercuts, Jabs, Cross or Hooks dashed down on me fiercely and even before I got it right, the whistle was blown again – the next step was waiting. “Boxing is an old sport and still there for a reason. Flexibility, toning and agility still matter,” Jess explained later on, pointing at the smooth, almost floating moves of a boxer. “

“Jogging or spin cycling are nothing short of pointless”

JessBoxing is all about quick and sharp exercises that effectively burn fat from your body and use every single one of your 600 muscles. Ditching deadly long hours of low intensity workouts, the successful personal trainer believes that “jogging or spin cycling are nothing short of pointless.”

(Finally, someone understands!).

At the same time, the mother of three loves to push people out of their comfort zone. “I love working with committed people. The classes are hard but fair and most importantly fun! Your body is the best and only equipment you need,” she continues, “add a pair of boxing gloves and pads, come along with a like-minded partner and you'll have the best possible work-out”.

With an age-span ranging from as young as 16 up to 60 (majority between 25 and 45), there is always space in the tough classes to adjust to your own level.

With a fitness-level as low as Davy Jones' locker, there were several occasions when I thought I might drop dead. But, thanks to my encouraging partner and the quickly changing exercises, time virtually flew by.

Punching pads won't get you sacked

Jess explained at the end: “The evening classes are perfect after long stressful days at work. Imagine the pad is your boss's head and release all your aggressions. Punching pads is deeply satisfying and – here comes the best – they won't get you sacked.”

Jess' words never rang truer than when we finally laid down on our backs in the warm grass, dripping with sweat, I felt every single muscle pumping. Looking up to the bridge that shone resplendent in the evening sun, I was deeply relaxed and freed from all bad energy and frustrations.

During winter, Jess' Fitness-boxing classes move into an old school building in the Montée de Clausen.

Besides workouts in the forest or exclusive personal training, Jess offers another rather exceptional class called Baby PT: a basic postnatal training program for women who recently gave birth. After the mothers have had their doctor check-up, usually after six weeks, “we concentrate on reconnecting the pelvic floor and core muscles, rebuilding them after the stress of pregnancy and giving birth”.

Thankfully, I won't be needing that class just yet, I thought and limped off along the Pétrusse river.

Want to punch too?

E-mail: jess@getfit.lu

Or visit her website: www.jessboxing.com