I'm not writing this from the point of view of someone who loves health and fitness (although if you are someone who does, ((BOUNCE)) Hatherley is defo worth a try!). I’m writing this as someone who only 2 years ago shuddered at the thought of exercise. Was embarrassed about being out of breathe in front of other people and who was terrified of being labelled the ‘fat, unfit one’. I actually gave myself that label and quickly realised that as a larger lady exercising, people were actually really supportive and thought ‘good for her’. It’s strange how the fog in your own mind can be cleared by change and how looking back now I feel sad that I felt that inadequate. Nobody deserves to feel like that, however, we are the masters of our own destiny and if we want to change we are totally in control of making that change. It’s a bit like a drug, it’s addictive.
We don’t really go more than a day or two without the ‘obesity epidemic’ being covered in the news. Sensationalised for those reading, to terrify the people struggling with their weight and intensify the labels we think we are given. I would often think ‘I wish I could do some exercise, I really wish I could find something I can do and enjoy, without standing out like a sore thumb’. I can only assume that many people think and feel this. If you do, you seriously should consider ((BOUNCE)) Hatherley. This is why:
((BOUNCE)) is a trampoline workout. You have your own little trampette and bounce your way through an hour of choreographed workouts that last about 3 minutes each. All happening in a darkened room, with disco lights (it really is a bit like a party!) facing Louisa, the instructor.
I love ((BOUNCE)) because of the sense of community. It really is an ethos of ‘we are all in this together’ and despite having done ((BOUNCE)) quite a few times, I still can’t get the bounce and kick. I’d have thought I’d have died inside with embarrassment by this, but everyone is so focused on the fact that they can’t bounce and kick, nobody even notices. It’s discreet, any error doesn’t matter because everyone is so focused on their own movement, regardless of how much they have mastered it. When exercise classes advertise ‘any fitness level’, I’m dubious. There are just certain things I can’t (won’t) put myself through (even now) because I would be the one stood at the back who can’t keep up. With ((BOUNCE)) that doesn’t matter, nobody would know. You just do what you can do and ‘if in doubt, tap it out’.
Then there’s Louisa. ((BOUNCE)) Hatherley is her baby and my goodness you can feel the love. She is amazing. She’s bouncing at the front, putting every effort she has into the workouts, she does them with you. Constantly telling you what’s next, how to do it and giving encouragement and motivation to get you through. She shows new people what to do before hand and when she says choose your level, she means it. She is a friend to everyone and treats you like she’s known you for ages, if this isn’t a huge confidence boost, what is. During the breaks she works her way around the group checking in on everyone. She really does care that you are ok. I’ve not witnessed this is any exercise class I’ve been to. It makes ((BOUNCE)) Hatherley special. Then there’s the people who do it, every one I’ve met is friendly, supportive and chatty. I can only assume this is inspired by Louisa’s approach and the amazing community ethos she brings to every session. It’s unfaltering. The mix is huge. When I go, I take my 16 year old niece. It’s so nice to do something with her that you can laugh with each other about.
((BOUNCE)) Hatherley is also great because you don’t have to commit. You can book 1 session or 50. There is no sign up and you book online, so no embarrassing face to face discussions or awkward conversations, although Louisa is a message away and brilliantly responsive. You can engage as much or as little as you want.
At the end of each session we all stand together and take a group photo which Louisa then shares as a way to say well done to everyone involved. Louisa’s, ((BOUNCE)) Hatherley is in its infancy. She only started in September, it’s in a local community centre with loads of free parking, so access is incredibly easy. Having done some study in the psychology of exercise and having seen that the best way to increase activity in our ‘sedentary’ population is to offer an inclusive, accessible, non-competitive, enjoyable and community inspired class I really think ((BOUNCE)) ticks all of those boxes. Don’t let a lack of confidence hold you back. I know how you feel, I’ve been there and I promise giving it a try will be the best confidence boost to you. Your journey is yours to own, you are your only competition and as long as you are taking baby steps forward you are making progress and that is amazing.
N.B: Louisa hasn’t asked me to write this. I’m not writing it to sell ((BOUNCE)) Hatherley for her (the sessions are generally fully booked- so if you want to do it, get on and book). I’ve written it because I feel so passionate about being a voice of reassurance and encouragement to the population of people who feel the way I did. I’m stood on my soap box and saying ‘do it, I promise it could be the best thing you’ve done (something just for you) in a very long time’.
Louisa says:
So I launched ((BOUNCE)) Hatherley in September, I really wanted to make it accessible to everybody, I wanted free parking for my attendees and different class times so to hopefully suit everyone. What Kerrie says is so true, ((BOUNCE)) Hatherley is my baby, I’m so passionate about it, I know how amazing a ((BOUNCE)) class can make you feel and I want to share that feeling with everybody and I mean everybody ((BOUNCE)) is for everyone, all ages, all abilities. Seeing my lovely attendees leave smiling and sweaty after class gives me the best feeling......you just can’t beat ((BOUNCE))!!
visit ((BOUNCE)) Hatherley on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bouncehatherley/
follow ((BOUNCE)) Hatherley on instagram https://www.instagram.com/bouncehatherley/
Book a ((BOUNCE)) Hatherley session: https://bookwhen.com/bouncehatherley
댓글