Hannah Pepprock never thought she would be interested in boxing, a sport that is about as synonymous with testosterone as it gets. However, she was convinced by her roommates to try out Pink Gloves Boxing, an all-female physical fitness program hosted by the University of Montana that focuses on Olympic-style boxing technique.

Inside a sweaty gym on Valentines Day at the Campus Recreation Center, Pepprock and 15 other young women go through a circuit training regimen that includes shadow boxing, punching a heavy bag, jump-rope, a footwork ladder, and pad work with two women instructors who are teaching them uppercuts and jabs, among other techniques.

I had friends that had done it and it sounded like a lot of fun, Pepprock recalls. They convinced me and it sounded like a great way to get myself in the gym a couple times a week and also burn off a lot of anger or just good energy."

I like that its a good workout but its also just a really positive feeling, she said. When were in there, were just smiling and I feel strong. I feel like I know how to throw a punch, which is really cool. I always felt like I didnt know how to fight. Its just kind of an empowering feeling.

The class isnt focused on self-defense, according to instructor Vickie Rectenwald.

Its not something thats promoted, but if you know how to throw a punch correctly, you can throw a punch correctly, she says, grinning. The focus of the program is really two-pronged. The first part is a good technical boxing workout and a really positive challenging atmosphere."

She said nobody competes against the other people in the program. "Everybodys focused on being better than they were yesterday and never comparing themselves. You just push yourself harder.

Pepprock said that is a big part of the appeal for her.

You dont really feel intimidated by anyone, she said, wrapping her wrist in preparation for the class. Were all kind of on a level playing field. Theres no competition against anyone, except for yourself, which I think is really cool.

The energy of the class is palpable. Theres loud music playing, and the women seem to be bouncing on their feet and grinning for the entire hour.

Its really fast-paced and it really gets your cardio going, Rectenwald said. Its structured like a martial arts program, so you do challenges and test out to the next level. Theres specific goals and specific skills for you to master to get to the next level.

The Pink Gloves Boxing program was founded seven years ago in Montana by Garret Garrels and Nick Milodragovich, who were football teammates at Carroll College in Helena. They noticed that a lot of women in his boxing classes felt like they were being compared to men and competing instead of focusing on themselves, according to Rectenwald.

He found that was a common element that many women were searching for in their personal fitness classes, she said. Its definitely very focused on empowerment.

Now, the program has gone global, with its popularity exploding in places as far away as Sweden. Garrels came to give a demonstration class in Missoula a few weeks ago, and Pepprock attended.

I had only been in the class a couple weeks, but he said we were doing well, Pepprock said. I feel like Im learning a lot really fast.

Rectenwald was a student studying marketing at UM last year when she enrolled in the program. She said it helped her balance her huge 21-credit course load. She was so enthralled, she decided to become an instructor this year.

Co-instructor Emily Hamant said the program will allow more women to get into a traditionally male-dominated sport.

Because (the class is) all girls, she said. If you box with guys, its totally different.

Rectenwald says the response from students is overwhelmingly positive.

We get a lot of, I love seeing how much my body has changed over the course of the semester, and I love the positive atmosphere and the friends Ive made, and I love just coming here and having fun, she said. Theres camaraderie.

In fact, positive reinforcement is part of the mission.

One specific tenet of the program is you pay attention to everyone around you and compliment them and notice what theyre doing well so we have that positive feedback, she said.

The 14-week program is held on Tuesdays and Thursdays and costs $125 per semester for first-timers, which includes gear. Its only $75 for returning boxers. The class is only for students and staff at the University of Montana.

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Pink Gloves Boxing: Women's class focuses on empowerment ... - The Missoulian