Is not futile

this type of exercise, I started feeling the burn in my legs and bum almost immediately.

But I pushed on and got the sets done. The good thing about resistance training is you can keep it within your limits by reducing or increasing the weight you are lifting,

We then moved on to the free weights in the gym.

As I had never lifted weights before, having Lauri there to show me the ropes definitely helped.

We started with clean and press lifts. I used a 12.5kg bar and although that might not seem like a lot to some, I certainly felt it.

Starting with the bar placed on the ground, Laur i instructed me to squat down and bring the bar up in three stages, first to hip height, then to my shoulders and finally above my head. Again we completed three sets of six repetitions. By the last repetition, I was struggling! Lauri said that was a good sign as we knew I was using the right level of weights. We then completed some lunges and squats using weights to provide a harder workout. Having not done any form of hard training before, I was really feeling the strain in my legs, bum and arms. But Lochee leisure centre has the perfect cure — a sauna and steam room are available to soothe those aching post-workout muscles. I made a swift exit to get changed.

The large sauna was amazing, with multicoloured lights creating a relaxed environment, perfect for a post-gym chill.

Sean Johnston, lifeguard and swim teacher at the centre, said: “I think the new sauna and steam room definitely draws people to the centre.

“All we are missing is a jacuzzi and then I think we would be getting more custom.”

The punchbag located in the gym is also sacred. Duty manager Davie Morris said: “The punchbag is a Lochee tradition and it has been for the 34 years I have worked here.

“If it is down for any reason, there are always complaints.”

I had a fantastic workout and I’m really keen to continue my training.

However, I must admit my legs did not feel great the next day!

chilling out in the sauna, right.