Czech fitness instructor leads new mini-trampolining class at Hampstead Norreys

Village residents are over the moon with their new trampoline class.

The national mini-trampoline franchise, ((BOUNCE)), has been running classes at Hampstead Norreys Village Hall for almost a month.

The new class is the first in West Berkshire and was started to provide rural residents with more opportunities to have fun and exercise — without having to travel far.

Each class involves 45 minutes of cardio followed by 15 minutes of toning, combining high-energy routines with uplifting music.

And the face behind this latest fitness offering?

Katerina Clarke, 38, came to the UK from the Czech Republic.

She settled with her husband and two daughters in Hampstead Norreys five years ago, trading the mountains of Ostrava for the peaceful West Berkshire countryside.

Growing up, Mrs Clarke had a strong sporting background playing tennis, swimming and dance.

But she says her stern father and a demanding dance teacher caused her to spiral into an unhealthy relationship with food and anxiety, almost killing her passion for fitness.

However, Mrs Clarke underwent a remarkable transformation after the births of her two children, losing a significant amount of weight through adopting healthier habits.

She attended her first ((BOUNCE)) class in January. Impressed by what she experienced; she signed up to become an instructor in April.

“The supportive atmosphere of the class changed a lot,” said Mrs Clarke. “I was so pleased because I felt how I felt 20 years ago, except the way the instructors treated the people attending was different.

“The social life when you walk into the class is different. You make so many friends.”

Speaking about why she started her own class, Mrs Clarke added: “I asked myself what I could bring to this community.

“It was very difficult for me to find any fitness classes.”

And she soon realized she wasn’t alone.

Commenting on her class’s progress so far, Mrs Clarke said: “It’s been going great. I am very pleased I had the opportunity to bring classes here.

“I feel extremely lucky. I think the people coming here have fun and that’s the point of my classes.”

She is also planning to host outdoor ((BOUNCE)) events in the village, plus a possible expansion into other sites in the county.

“I want attendees to switch off for one hour and have fun.

“That’s what I got from ((BOUNCE)) the first time I walked in.”

Eight-year-old Millie, from Hampstead Norreys, completed her second session on Thursday (August 31).

She said she enjoys the classes and is excited to be continuing with PE at school.

“It’s really good fun,” added her aunt, Sarah Jones. “It’s good to get us active. It is exhausting though.

“I’ve done something similar before, but this is really handy because it's local and we don’t have to travel far.”

The child-friendly, body-positive classes take place three times a week. Each session can take up to 15 attendees.

To find out more or to sign up, please contact Mrs Clarke on 07584891125, email katerina.clarke@icloud.com or follow her Facebook page.