Squashercise is part of England Squash and Racketball's (ESR) Big Hit campaign, which is a national programme by the sport's governing body designed to engage the public and increase participation in squash.

Squashercise has been devised by ESR after research revealed how women can become bored with a standard gym routine when exercising individually and is a fun, female-friendly activity class for all ages which is based on squash and racketball fitness, movements and skills.

"The programme was devised to break down the barriers of the sport, and get more ladies involved in the game because squash can be seen as a very male orientated environment," said Powley, a coach for 15 years.

"Squashercise is primarily targeted at women but it can be adapted to anybody as coaches have found who have delivered it.

"It's carried out to music, and its light exercise and people are learning squash without actually realising it.

"A lot of the stuff is squash specific and it's a lot of fun."


Launched in January of this year, the Big Hit Campaign has already visited a number of cities across the country, primarily setting up "pop-up" courts in empty retail spaces in shopping centres, giving members of the public an opportunity to take part in racket sports and increase awareness.

The latest "pop-up" court was situated in the Square Shopping Centre in Birmingham city centre earlier this month, and passersby had the opportunity to take part in games and coaching sessions in the company of world number 18 and 2009 European junior champion, Sarah-Jane Perry.

Squashercise is a new element of the nationwide campaign.

A typical class begins with a gentle warm-up to raise the heart rate before moving onto major muscle groups and improves the range of squash-specific movements, followed by some fun routines to develop squash and racketball skills, and fitness fanatic Hull enjoyed her workout in the squash court.

"I really enjoyed it, it was great fun," said the Made in Chelsea star.

"When you go to the gym you are usually on your own and it was great to do something with a group of women, it really felt like a team in there.

"This is something you can go to with friends, you can burn the calories and you can have fun while you are doing it.

"I will be recommending it to people - and I will definitely be doing it again.

"It was interesting in the way it used short, quick exercises so you didn't get bored, it was constantly changing.

"But you are getting a proper workout from it, definitely."


Hull and the rest of the women were wielding their rackets in the shadow of Wimbledon Centre Court, the scene of Andy Murray's historic win in the men's singles final this year and also where he claimed Olympic gold against Roger Federer at London 2012.

Powley, who played on the professional squash circuit for five years, would love to see future British stars have the chance to emulate Murray if squash is added to the Olympic programme for 2020.

Squash is vying with baseball-softball and wrestling to be on the 2020 programme and a decision will be made at the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session in Buenos Aires in September.

"For squash to get into the Olympics is massive," said the 41-year-old, who has been playing squash since he was eight.

"I think it would just change the outlook and the dynamics of our game.

"You can see the effect [being on the Olympic programme] has on other sports, and we just want to be a part of that.

"You've got tennis, you've got table tennis and you've got badminton, so why not squash?"

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related Stories
July 2013: Birmingham shoppers treated to free squash and racketball sessions as part of Big Hit tour