A close encounter with a drunk in Oxford's city centre did not have the traumatic effect receptionist Natalie Stowell expected, writes GEMMA SIMMS.

And the 25-year-old puts that down to her new-found confidence - thanks to a novel self-defence course.

She said: "One night I was in Oxford city centre with a friend and her husband when my friend started getting abuse from a drunk man in Queen Street.

"Her husband hadn't noticed because he was walking ahead and I wanted to protect my friend so I went to kick the drunk man because he was being so abusive.

"He grabbed me and pulled me to the floor before dragging me down the road. I was eventually saved by my friend's husband but I wasn't frightened at all and I think that's because I go to Striking Fitness."

Striking Fitness is a weekly, non-contact training session designed for women looking for something a little different from conventional fitness classes.

Run by qualified instructor Rob King, the class uses techniques borrowed from other self-defence sports to help boost women's confidence.

Natalie, who lives in Spare Acre Lane, Eynsham, said: "This is totally different from karate, although I do karate as well.

"I took it up as a child but stopped when Rob went away to college. "We met up in a pub when he returned and he told me he was going to start a self-defence class for women."

She finds the class excellent for getting her body into shape as well as building up her strength.

But she added: "Not everyone is well-toned in the class and you can wear anything from tracksuit bottoms and trainers to leggings.

"I think it has helped me quite a lot and given me the confidence I need to walk with my head held high."

Mum-of-five Sheila Weaver, 53, from Garden City, Kidlington, also feels the class has given her confidence.

"I have no problems walking around on my own now because of the skills I have learned," said Sheila, who helps out at West Kidlington School.

"I wasn't put off by the other people in the class because there were quite a few people who, like me, are not too thin.

"I really do feel more energetic. My muscles have strengthened and we do things like skipping, sit-ups, press-ups, and although we do get out of breath, we are raring to go once we finish."

There are about 20 women in the class from a wide cross-section of the community. Among the teenagers and grandparents there are those simply looking for a different way to keep fit, as well as victims of assault who are looking to rebuild their confidence.

Natalie added: "If anyone is thinking about joining, they should just come along to one of the sessions and see what they think." VERSED IN ANCIENT ART

Instructor Rob King has an honours degree in sports science and is a qualified PE teacher.

As a professional fitness and self-defence instructor, Rob designed the class format with a view to encourage women of all ages and fitness abilities to train in the martial arts.

"About 75 per cent of the students I teach each week are male, but women are just as keen to train in self-defence skills as men, and the large gender gap in the numbers presently training is off-putting to potential female students.

"Many men are reluctant to join a predominantly female aerobics class and the same is true for women and martial arts classes," said Rob, who has more than 20 years' experience.

Striking Fitness seeks to address the problem by providing a training environment that is more student-friendly and less intimidating than the inevitably male-dominated classical martial arts classes.

"We hope that at the end of the class, pupils feel energised and educated, having practised the skills of an ancient art.

"Most of all, we are in the business of building confidence, and if the students can return to their bicycles and cars with their heads held just a little higher, then we have done our job," he added.

Striking Fitness takes place at the Douglas Bader Sports Centre, Woodstock Road, Oxford, on Mondays at 7.30pm.

For more details phone Rob on 01865 370339.

WHAT IS IT?

*Striking Fitness is a non-contact fitness training session

*It uses the training techniques of kick boxing and karate in an hour-long, action-packed session

*It comprises shadow-boxing, skipping, circuit training, kick pad and punchbag work

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