FORMER England captain and Newcastle striker Alan Shearer has been put through his paces with a heart-racing workout in a North-East gym.

The local hero and living football legend visited Darlington’s Bannatyne’s Health Club to take part in a Speedflex session – a high intensity circuit training routine – led by personal trainers.

Shearer, who is an ambassador for Speedflex, was in town to officially open a studio dedicated to the exercise that mixes cardio and resistance training.

The 46-year-old joined the Darlington gyms’ members of all ages and fitness levels who got stuck in with Shearer during a 45-minute workout.

The ex-footballer turned Match of the Day pundit said: “I’ve got bad knees and ankles after playing football for the last 25 years and Speedflex is the only type of exercise that I can do that has a low impact afterwards.”

Shearer added: “I’ve just been working out with 77-year-old Pat, who was loving it and said she felt great, it’s changed her life.

“She’s given up everything that she’s always done for the last 25 years because she loves it so much and she’s been doing it for a month now.

“That tells you that for my age, for her age, and for 18 years of age, it works. If it works for me then I’m pretty sure it’s good enough for everyone.”

For more information, visit speedflex.com