New kickboxing classes have proved a hit in Malmesbury. Standard reporter Elliot Cass, a complete novice, went along for a hard-hitting lesson.

SINCE it started lessons four weeks ago, Malmesbury Martial Arts Academy has seen rising numbers attending classes at St Mary’s Hall so, as someone who likes hard-hitting stories, I wanted to see just what it was all about.  

Plus, it’s not every day you get the chance to train with a three-time British champion such as Ben ‘The Hammer’ Heap who, amazingly, walked into his first pro fight in the summer of 2013 not knowing it was for a title but left with the belt around his waist.

Ben, 24, was less calm and collected back then but now goes into fights with a confidence that is hard to knock, and has won 13 championships since he started the sport 16 years ago.

Knowing all of his accomplishments made walking into his class a daunting task, but I was quickly put at ease by seeing how great he is with his young students, beaming at their progress while practising spinning hook kicks.

With the classes for younger students going so well, the numbers of adults attending Ben’s classes has also risen as parents are inspired to take part themselves.

Although Ben’s demeanour made me less nervous, the first exercise in our class made my heart sink as skipping is, to put it mildly, not a strength of mine, but after a quick session with the rope we were soon getting out the pads to practice some punches.

Connecting a string of shots with a stationary target before adding some kicks helped my confidence and demonstrated the skill needed to strike a wily opponent.

After a set of push-ups, crunches and burpees that I won’t soon forget, Ben told me with a wry grin that I was welcome to spar with instructor Daryl Payne, 24,  to get the full experience. Too far from the exit to bolt, I accepted and donned a set of armour to provide me with some much-needed protection.

Daryl let me have a few jabs before kindly reminding me to keep my guard up with a swift punch to the face.

Feeling dazed, I ran down the clock by skirting around the hall, trying to dodge the rain of punches and kicks Daryl threw at me.

Wiping away the sweat, I asked Ben the question he had to be expecting: “Do you think I’m ready for the pros?”

He laughed and shook his head. “Not quite yet.”

Despite the toughness of the training, it was fun and a great workout, and Ben and Daryl are expert at making students feel at ease. After just one session, I could see why the classes are popular.

For details see www.facebook.com/MalmesburyMAA