Steve Woods

My HOP® experience started with the original class 30 years ago at Westside health club in Kensington.  I was very fortunate and privileged to be encouraged by my great friend and mentor Dragan Radovic.  It was a fantastic time to be involved, I loved the camaraderie, the challenge and my own personal development.

The demand for the class was instant and very soon there were 6 sessions per week.  A small group of us were encouraged by Dragan to be instructors.  With a gradual introduction to teaching and lots of one-to-one training with Dragan, we were eventually ready to teach the classes ourselves.  Mine was a Tuesday evening class – which I kept running for about 8 years.  We also had classes at health clubs in Heston and Ealing.  One class, in particular, I remember experimenting with no music or was it because I forgot the tape (!).  The class liked the rhythm of their own breathing and we continued for months before reverting back.

After some time, my next regular classes were with Rajko when he started at Flex in Uxbridge and later in Slough.  This was very rewarding to train alongside this powerful guy using dumbbells far heavier than mine when I remember him first starting the class at Westside as a young boy.

Due to business and family commitments I no longer do HOP® classes, other than on my own or incorporating part of the concept into any other kind of training I do. As every other instructor will find out, the HOP® will always stay with you.  Unlike sports that provide fitness through the game or the end result, HOP® will provide you with a high level of fitness, discipline and a sense of well-being throughout your life.