Treads carefully

The new fad is called V-treads, otherwise known as treadmill trekking.

This month sees the latest craze hit six gyms across the country which includes one in Canford Heath.

The basic idea is very much like group cycling (spinning), only on a treadmill instead of a static bike.

Just like spinning, where you join a class for 30 minutes to an hour and you peddle your way on a static cycle journey adjusting your speeds and pressure along the way, trekking encourages you out of your comfort zone.

After a short trial, Virgin Active Gym (formerly known as Holmes Place) decided to introduce the V-Tread class to their timetable.

I decided to pop down and see what all the fuss was about.

I wouldn't say I'm a natural runner. In fact cycling is my forte and I adore spinning. I love the fact that you sweat within five minutes of the class, are barked orders at throughout and you work in time to music.

Could V-treads really compare?

I meet with V-tread instructor Neal George, who shows me to one of the six running machines. He asks me if I have any injuries and my history of running and then enquires what my natural running pace is.

Now I'm tempted to lie here as I'm feeling slightly lazy today, but decide against it.

It works out that I run happily around 5.5 to 5.8 (on their machine), but Neal decides to be kind and start me on 5.5.

Unlike group cycling, where the instructor takes part, Neal is standing in front of the machines, barking orders at us.

This means there's no chance of cheating, if you're feeling the strain.

Neal tells us he will do intervals where he increases our speed by 15 and then 30 per cent, and also our incline, so we work more muscles.

I'm joined by Paula Sweet; a very fit lady who tells me she finds V-treads the hardest and most rewarding class she's done.

We start at a steady pace and Neal checks we feel comfortable. Then he begins with the motivational aspect, telling us to increase our pace by 15 per cent - that means I have to run at 6.3. Thirty seconds later and we're upping the pace again by 30 per cent.

Within five minutes, I'm feeling small beads of perspiration forming on my brow. Not bad, considering I sometimes run outside for 40 minutes and don't perspire.

Then we start the incline, we keep to our maximum speed and begin to climb. Neal tells us that we are working our quads here. The incline goes up to four per cent and our speed varies for the next three minutes.

Then comes the hard part. Fifteen minutes in and I'm trying to conduct an interview, but my sentences are coming in small gasps.

Neal shouts to increase the incline to eight, then nine, then 10 and finally 12 per cent, with small recovery breaks of 30 seconds in between.

I must admit, as running doesn't come naturally to me, I try and avoid hills. This time, I have no way out and I've just got to keep going. I start trying to think of some excuse to get off. Perhaps my shoe laces will come undone, even though they're elastic?

This is exactly the same feeling I get whilst spinning.

After 20 minutes we begin with the sprints - starting off at one minute, with a small recovery break, then one minute 20 and finally one minute 30.

I'm sweating all over now, but I can see light at the end of the tunnel.

Neal is watching our run and tweaking things as we go along. There's no wimping out now. I can see the finish line.

It's nearing 30 minutes and we start to cool down, settling back into a gentle walk. The workout is finished and I feel great.

For once I feel like I've pushed myself with running. Neal has forced me out of my comfort zone. It's almost like having your own personal trainer, only more fun because you're sharing it with other people.

I ask Neal if it's suitable for people who can't run. He says: "The great thing about V-treads is that once we've established your comfortable walking or running speed, we work from there. So if you don't run, we can get you doing a good fast walk, walking uphill to work muscles you may not necessarily use normally.

"It helps break down barriers in the gym. People of different abilities can work out in the same class.

"It also takes away the boredom of going on the treadmill, or going for a run. I can give guidance on running techniques and make sure no-one is slacking by going from one to the next. Often people stick to running 5k at their comfortable speed. By just upping the speed by just a few per cent can make a massive difference."

By the end of the class I feel energised.

I'd say that it couldn't replace spinning for me, because I love the loud music, feeling the beat, and watching the instructor drip from head to foot as they take part in the class. It gives you a goal to keep up with.

There's also no dimming of the lights or spinning disco balls, but Neal tells me that there is a possibility of this in many gyms, and could well be the way forward.

Let's hope so - now that would make it fun!

V-treads is currently available in Dorset at Virgin Active Health Club, Holmes Place, Wareham Road, Canford Heath.