Former England man Alan Shearer leads Watford fitness class

Speedflex say their FORTIS classes offer a kind of resistance training that does not tear muscles and therefore prevents pain.

The Match of the Day pundit said the low impact workout was the only way he could keep fit nowadays, due to lasting injuries from his playing career.

“There’s still life in the old dog yet. I can’t play football, so that’s what I have to do for my training and it’s really enjoyable,” said Shearer, who is a Speedflex ambassador.

Alan Shearer runs a fitness class at Watford Leisure Centre Woodside

“You’re not tearing any muscles, the machine is giving you what you give it, you can work as hard as you want and you can push yourself as hard as you want and that’s why it works for everyone.”

The sessions involve groups working out together while wearing tags that are connected to a screen that show how hard each individual is working.

The Watford class is just one of many Shearer has launched across the country, as he promotes the pain-free exercise.

"This is one of several we’ve done around the country, we’re looking to do a lot more and I’m sure we will," he continued. "It’s a great session, for me, for anyone, it’s the only thing I can do because of my injuries to my knees, my ankle and my back. It keeps me ticking over, keeps me fit.

Alan Shearer in Watford

"You’ve got to do something, you’ve got to exercise and this for me works for all shapes sizes ages.

"It’s fun, it’s a group session, a team session. I couldn’t go in the gym on my own when I was playing, so I was never going to do that when I finished playing and it’s my way of keeping fit and without doubt it works.

"There’s no pain, no stiffness and it works for everyone."

Mayor of Watford Peter Taylor was among those taking part in the fitness class.

He said: “This is a really exciting addition to Woodside Leisure Centre, and will bring something different to the local community. It’s great to have a well-known ambassador like Alan Shearer backing this new work out programme, and we hope this will inspire even more people to get fit and healthy in the new year.”