Traveling to Watford to meet up with Leon Popplewell at the Westfeild Sport Leisure Community Centre was the easy part, going through the Intermediate and then a training session with Ben Stroud was the hard part.

Ben works as a PTI (Physical Training Instructor) for the Prison Service - by his own admission it is a dream job. He serves the community, he encourages fitness for the inmates, and he himself trains occasionally at work - nothing can be more pleasurable to Ben, who is definitely one to look out for in the future of X Training.

So it came as no surprise to me that when I asked him to pop down for a nice little jolly at Watford and show the manager there what X Training is all about he readily agreed. Any opportunity that promotes X Training is a good opportunity he remarked.

We met Leon early in the day and was greeted warmly , he appreciated the fact that we had traveled somewhat to be there and was a genuinely interested in the merits of X Training.

What can it do for this gym and how will it benefit my members ? Was basically his first line of enquiry

Well, well do you start? Ben and I looked at each other and basically it's how long have you got? We boiled it down to a brief summary though. All the points that promote a healthy lifestyle are needed to become a good X Trainer. Good diet, dedication, motivation and focus. If you can install this in to your members then you will reap the benefits.

Ben and I walked through to the gym. It was laden with new equipment from Technogym. We knew already that we would be in or a slower time then normal as the bikes cadence on Techongym equipment is far slower then Life Fitness. But we did need to find out how much slower, so Ben eagerly went off to find out. The idea was that Ben did the Advance course and I did the Intermediate. Leon was to time the event and basically see how the event could be set up in the gym and then marvel at the incredible fitness levels of what Ben could achieve - and also take on board how versatile the sport is with the Intermediate section.

Advanced

Ben's time on the bike was noticeably slower as predicted (almost a minute) but apart from that he flew through the challenge , like a hot knife through butter, cutting into each section in one hit until he reached the treadmill - where if he was cutting through butter before he was now slicing through it now with the grit and determination to get a fast time in. Meanwhile a bemused Leon is looking on not really knowing what to make it of it all. He is witnessing one of the fastest times in the country on technogym equipment but not really understanding just how hard that is (having not completed a X Training Challenge before) .

After ben had finished , with the noticeable sweat and shortness of breath and a few pants here and there - Leon, I think it would be fair to say was impressed. He couldn't really comprehend what he had seen but he has been in the business long enough to realise that it was exceptionally good.

Training for everybody

But that is at the top end. What about guys and girls that just like a challenge in the gym - a little more to focus when they train, well let's introduce the Beginner and the Intermediate - it is at this level where the majority of X Training will be achieved - these are the fun runners for the marathon, they love to run so to speak, but will never be Paula Ratcliffe!

As I started the bike, the local school lesson in the gym commenced. A few curious glances over in our direction and the kids continues their session in the gym , each to them there own piece of equipment or in little groups watching or supporting each other in what they were doing. You can't help but me reminded of how it was when you were at school and the difference there is today - on one hand there is a obesity problem, on the other hand there is a class full of kids loving the gym environment - what a fantastic opportunity to introduce X Training to the younger market - ok obviously not to the degree that is on competition level, but interval training and a bit of competiveness. It's as my good friend Eddie Fletcher says , "Children need to play athletes need to train" But right now - as I look around the and see the kids really enjoying themselves and supporting one another, it's hard not to see why there isn't a more focused attempt on increasing gym sport. I put one issue to the test too - whilst on my stretch for the row, I asked the kid next to me for a race. His smile lit up and already he was putting a little more effort into the concept 2 rowing machine as he tried to out do me on the rower. Point made - a bit of fun and a bit of competiveness.

I finished my race as equally exhausted as Ben. Flushed face, panting for air and feeling pretty damn tired! Another bonus for a gym if you think about it - a full body work out in under 15 min's and also importantly adding in that vigorous activity that the American College of Sport Medicine says is so critical now to improving your health and fitness

The Benefits of X Training

Another bonus, it free's up the machinery as well and lets other crack on in the gym without you hogging equipment. Got a lunch break? But not too long in the gym? Well here's the answer. Finding it too tough? Well here's another answer, train and use the equipment in the gym to get better ? It's all good news!

Benefits to the gym

But getting back to the issue. Leon myself and Ben went back to his office, He was shown briefly how easy it is to set up a challenge in the gym for his members and how beneficial the site could be for them, because not only are there X Training events to compete in , but also, many other gym challenges too.

It must have been that a shift change was occurring as a bundle of Personal Trainers were now hovering around the office, they glanced curiously at what was going on - what's happening? they enquired. Well X Training is being introduced to your gym and if you've got what it takes then how about giving it go? That's gets their attention, they are looking at the poster, saying to themselves, yeah I'll give this a go, looks good, looks interesting and I will have to do the Advance. Ben and I look at each other both thinking the same thing - it may look easy but put it all together and then you know the difference between looking easy and actual easy. I mention to them casually, guys, honestly if you want to try this, I urge you to look at the Intermediate first it's what will will make you enjoy the sport first and not be too put off by it. This is a three training program to bring longevity to your training program, if you treat it with respect it will repay you in the strongest way possible - you will be fitter then you have ever been in your life.

Training with Ben

Shortly after we went back into the gym for a training session. Ben and I working shoulders, Abs and a bit of cardio. The gap between Intermediate and Advanced time wise is immense, but as training partners, you train together and push your selves that little bit harder. I certainly worked harder with Ben then I do normally, not only because, he has the added quality about him that inspires you to train, but also not wanting to let yourself down and try that little bit more. I think the interval running on the treadmill at the end was the hardest. And one of the reasons that X Training has it's own very unique way of training and why we need it to be a recognised sport - because the treadmill that so may people use and so may people put their hands and walk aimlessly on , is a sinister beast masquerading innocently in the gym - believe me a few interval sessions of no then 15 minutes work and suddenly you have new respect for it - I guarantee you, like the indoor rower, this is one machine you will never beat. It will always win - but that's not the point is it? It's the challenge to do well that keeps you going .... in simple terms, you will not find Davina McCall doing interval sessions like this!

Conclusion

So we left after a few hearty handshakes and the promise to return if they should need any help in setting up an event. It waits to be seen if X Training will catch on there, but early indications are good. A follow up phone call this morning was met by one of the Personal Trainers, telling me he was just about to try and do the challenge - well I wish him luck and if just one more athlete turns to this incredible sport, it has made the trip worth while because Westfeild Sport Centre is a community gym, used by schools, partly funded by the council and for the community to enjoy. And if the message for X Training is not getting out to the masses by the events that are taking part, that it is up to us as X Trainers to get the message into the gyms and let them know just what a good opportunity this is to get the sport recognised.

My grateful thanks to Ben Stroud and leon Popplewell of Fusion Lifestyle.