Lately, I’ve been feeling like every day is blending into the next, caught in a routine that feels a bit too predictable. I found myself craving something fresh to shake things up while still staying active. I wanted a challenge that would push me out of my comfort zone. So, this year, I promised myself I’d step out a bit and try something different. I have this running joke where I say I’m only good at swimming because it’s the only sport I’ve ever really done. And while I am genuinely good at it, I don’t want to box myself in.
This thought-process was actually sparked when my therapist suggested exercises that would help me to be okay with not being brilliant at something immediately and to let go of my good friend, perfectionism. If you struggle with that too, I can highly recommend a bit of exposure therapy! Here are some ideas for you to try.
Medieval Sword Fighting
Wondering what to do on a free Monday evening? Why not try medieval sword fighting? Yes, this is a real thing in Maastricht! There’s a new club called Historisch Schermgilde Limburg, where the first three lessons are free and non-binding. You can try it out, see if it’s for you, or just have a laugh for a few sessions. Membership is €25 a month, collected quarterly, and they practice every Monday from 7:30 to 9:30 pm, with classes in Longsword (a powerful two-handed sword known for its versatility) and Rapier (a lighter, one-handed sword focused on precision and agility). I loved the class – especially the bit of history they taught us about medieval sword fighting. It felt like stepping right into an episode of Game of Thrones. Just a little tip: start training your arms. The rapier was a bit on the heavy side – at least for this girlie.
SnowWorld
As an Italian, it’s always a shock for people to discover that I’ve never skied in my life. But hey, I’m from the south – we’ve got beaches, not the Alps! So, last year, I decided to save up and try this boujiee sport. I joined a ski trip organised by my student association. Now, you might say, “Luisa, why would you spend big money just to see if you like it?” Fair question. Luckily, I had actually tried it before, at SnowWorld, a skiing and snowboarding facility in Landgraaf near Maastricht. I went because UM Sports organised a group trip there, covering transport and a pass, with rental equipment available on-site. It was about €40 in total, which was pretty reasonable. I tried snowboarding, fell a lot, but had an absolute blast. I even enjoyed the ski trip so much that this year, I’m in charge of organising our next one. My advice: don’t be discouraged if you fall a lot – yes, it hurts, but you’ll get the hang of it eventually.
Sensual Bachata Workshop
If you want to add a bit of spice to your life, what could be better than a sensual bachata workshop? Now, I’m not a dancer by any means, but I am a reggaeton party girl, so this caught my attention. The workshop, run by Dance Revolution Studio and promoted by the student association Let’s Dance, was open to everyone. It was just 7,50 euros and you didn’t have to commit to a whole course. We learned a full bachata routine, and even though I was rather stiff, I had a great time dancing to all the bachata music. It was the perfect start to a Friday evening. After that, we went to a dance bar called Bernaards, where we could try out our moves on the dance floor, surrounded by talented dancers – it was so beautiful to watch!
HIIT Training at Boutique Gym
When I joined the mymaastricht team as a social media coordinator, I didn’t realise the job description included a 9 am HIIT workout class! But there I was, biking at 8:30 am with my colleagues, ready to try out this workout routine. Now, I’m not much of a cardio or gym person – as I mentioned, swimming is my thing, and my athlete days are well behind me – so this was a challenge. It was 45 minutes of non-stop sweat – jumping, running, push-ups, a bit of boxing – but I survived and felt amazing afterward. However, this is accessible to many levels since you can decide how intense you want to make it. And the Boutique Gym’s atmosphere was so luxurious!
Pole Dancing
I haven’t tried this one yet, but stay tuned for the next episode of “Luisa tries random sports and realises she should probably stick to swimming” – coming soon to our Instagram stories and reels, so make sure you’re following us! Here’s a sneak peek: we’re off to Wild Wavy Studio to see what pole dancing is all about.
Alright, that’s it for now! If you’ve got any other suggestions for things I should try, send us a DM on Instagram – I’m all ears!
