More women are heading out of the house and going to the gym to get in shape and feel good. Kate Thompson and Sarah Lefebve decided to join the throng and find out the fascination...

THERE'S something oh, so satisfying about thumping a punch bag just as hard as you can.

Suddenly all the cares of the day disappear as you focus all your energy on whacking the suspended weight in front of you.

More and more women are opting for classes that take the moves from the boxing ring in a bid to get in shape.

At LA Fitness in Winchester Road, Boxercise and Khaibo are some of their most popular sessions.

Studio co-ordinator Simon Stovell explained the classes are open to any age group and they will help to make you feel really fit and more confident.

"They are a great de-stresser too and they really are good fun.

"If you do these classes you will get fit and tone up - as well as increasing your flexibility.

"Women shouldn't worry that if they do this they will get bigger or more muscley - it will just make them feel fitter," he said.

Combining Boxercise - a warm-up and circuits of boxing style exercise (including bashing that punch bag) - with Khaibo - an upbeat mix of punching and kicking to music - is a great mix, said Simon.

"If you do the two classes together you will really notice the difference," he said.

Boxercise really is good fun. You team up with a partner and after the warm-up, you do two circuits of 15 different exercises. You spend a minute on each one and you can work or be a slacker depending on how you are feeling.

Khaibo is a frantic mix of kicking and punching moves put together in an aerobic workout that leaves you panting for breath.

It may be hard work but the feeling afterwards is great as all those endorphins course through you.

For more details contact LA Fitness on 8077 8777.

Get into the Groove - and get into shape

WHEN I agreed to review an aerobics class for LIVING, having the photographer standing inches away from me was not what I had bargained for, dressed as I was in my cycling shorts and baggy T-shirt!

But I like to think I am a good sport, so I didn't make too much of a fuss.

Instead, Jenny - my fellow volunteer in public humiliation - and I tried to get lost in the crowd. It was, however, in vain, as we were quickly dragged to the front - slap bang in front of a mirrored wall, just to add to our humiliation.

Just to add insult to injury, behind us were all the other members of the class, who appeared to know exactly what they were doing.

We, on the other hand, did not!

Groove FX is an aerobics dance class, described in the programme at The Quays leisure centre as a "selection of street workouts set to a diverse mix of club sounds - an aerobic class with a helping of urbandance moves.'

The description also suggests the class is suitable for beginners.

I am inclined to disagree, however.

This class was definitely not for the badly co-ordinated. And I am certainly lacking in co-ordination.

After we had warmed up, the instructor demonstrated each stage of each dance routine for the class to copy.

Stage one rarely gave me any bother - even I can cope with putting one foot in front of the other. Stage two, which required a little more co-ordination, was manageable. But by stage three I had invariably lost it!

But do not let me put you off. For those with a bit of co-ordination - and the experts behind me were proof they do exist - Groove FX is fantastic. You are kept moving with sequences of dancing, hip swivelling and pivoting.

Whether you have co-ordination or not, it is great fun. And with a bit of practise on the moves it can be a great workout.

The only thing is - I'm told that after ten sessions the moves are changed completely.

I think I'll go for a run!

For more information about exercise classes contact The Quays on 023 8072 0900.