After almost three years at Gerdahallen and close to a thousand aerobic and spinning classes Lundagård’s Annika Skogar decided it was time to try something new. Follow her when she heads out on a hunt for a new type of exercise in Lund.
In the struggle against water and opponents
In the locker room at Högevallsbadet I have time to ask myself both one and two times if it really was a good idea to try underwater rugby. I start to doubt it even more when a few moments later I’m confronted with 15 men, with large bodies and small Speedos.
When I subsequently realise that we are going to be at the bottom of the five-metre-deep swimming pool I’m ready to surrender. But to my rescue a guy approaches me and gives me a survival guide and equipment that effectively removes all thoughts of dignity. I get ready to let myself go. I swallow about half of the swimming pool. Repeatedly forget to clear my ears.
Get dyspnoea at the moment I reach the ball. Find myself in total confusion. At the bottom all of the players are trying to force the ball into the goal basket of the opposite team. Even though I ‘m almost never close to the ball I’m encouraged with promises that you get better fast. The combination of swallowing a lot of water and dyspnoea distracts me from the fact that it is actually exhausting, and a sport that succeeds in doing that needs to be given a high grade. And it probably doesn’t take that much time to get better after all.
Underwater rugby
- For whom? For those who like to head out into deep water with the possibility of getting attacked from four angles and alternatively become a better diver.
- Price? For a whole year: 1280 SEK, for half a year: 810 SEK. However, you can come and try it for free the first time.
- Strength? Just like swimming all muscles are used for everything.
- Stamina? A lot. The larger your lungs the better.
- Dignity? Of less importance since you most of the time are at the bottom of the swimming pool.
- Sweat? Unnoticeable. As a beginner you swallow more water than what leaks out.
Exercise with ancestry
It may be that Gerdahallen is the most typical type of exercise that the student from Lund can use. But greater tradition and a higher level of academic prestige are to be found in fencing. This Wednesday in April, on premises by Bengtssons ost (Bengtsson’s Cheese) the Lund University’s fencing masters are to be found together with seven fencers ranging in ages from 20 to 40 years old.
The atmosphere is relaxed and through the wide-open window trickles twitter of birds. With the fencer jacket, the mask and an electric cord as a tail I’m instantly infused with the feeling of being much better than I actually am. Then, with the foil put in my hand I get the feeling that I’m ready to hit the heart of any opponent. Which I don’t. However, after a short private lesson I’m able to manage the basic position.
And by constantly disobeying the rules, which I don’t understand, I manage to hit my opponent about two times after trying 200. Who’s my opponent differs. The other fenders have practised for a range of two months to two decades, but irrespectively of experience and gender everybody is equal on the piste. The sweat is trickling, the foils tinkle, concentration is at the top. After two hours the right part of my body is exhausted. Never before did I realise that I was carrying the desire to feel like a knight.
Fending:
- For whom? For those who want to become strong, fast and agile and at the same time want to do it in style.
- Price? Membership fee 200 SEK/year. Workout fee 650 SEK/spring semester and 600 SEK/autumn semester.
- Strength? It is enough to be really strong in one arm. That could be both good and bad.
- Stamina? Above all the ability to concentrate. Think chess but physical.
- Dignity? Oh yes.
- Sweat? Different layers of clothing combined with being trapped in a mask. Prepare to get thirsty and drink litres of water.
Military-inspired sweat
The temperature has just struggled to reach above 4 degrees and through the air sprinkles delicate rain. It’s cold, raw and muddy. The conditions are therefore perfect for Nordic Military Training. I peddle to St Hans Backar expecting blood taste in my mouth and men stuffed with testosterone. One of my expectations comes completely to nought.
The only man present is the coach. His military inspired clothing though, compensate to a great extent the idea of manliness I was expected to find. The rest who have gathered are women. Powerful women who will prove not to give way after five minutes of the workout of nightmares, the plank. To emphasize the military in Nordic Military Training you don’t run in just any way but you run in files. Preferably at the same pace.
And when it’s time to stop, the coach shouts halt and people form into columns. It is rather absurd and I get all giggly. Despite my decent capacity to make push-ups a certain feeling of nervousness appear inside over getting shouted at for possible cheating (because that’s the way things work in the military service…?)
The feeling of nervousness is soon replaced though with total elation and the feeling of being at football practise before the season has begun where everybody helps each other to perform a little bit more. Push-ups are mixed with batons, running and take-offs. Though a heart that beats at 180, muddy clothes and arms that shake with tiredness it is a smile that bursts through at the finish.
Nordic Military Training
- For whom? For those who like the concept the-harder-the-better, like to take orders, and doesn’t have a problem with military green.
- Price? If you want to avoid a lock-in period the price is 650 SEK a month plus you will have to pay 500 SEK to become a member. That gives access to all classes in Lund and Malmö. As a student you get 20% off.
- Strength? Brute force, innumerable push-ups.
- Stamina? It is an advantage if you appreciate lactic acid.
- Dignity? There are probably those who think running in files and wearing a waistcoat is dignified however there are also those of us who think it’s completely undignified.
- Sweat? According to season. The wind is blowing, the wet ground is cooling you down but the sweat is trickling anyway.
Text: Annika Skogar
Photo: Jens Hunt och Jonas Jacobson
Translation: Mia Söllwander
