Comet reporter Martin Elvery was invited to the new Air Space Stevenage trampolining centre to try it out. Here’s what he thought...

The Comet: Air Space Stevenage opened on Wednesday at Stevenage Leisure Park.Air Space Stevenage opened on Wednesday at Stevenage Leisure Park. (Image: Archant)

So let me put you in the picture. I am 40 years old, I have the beginnings of a rather embarrassing middle aged spread and my daily commute to work means I exercise much less frequently than I should – or at least that’s my excuse.

A fortnight ago, I offered to fill in for the Comet six-a-side football team as goalkeeper and dislocated my little finger.

All in all, I could be forgiven for feeling some trepidation when I was offered the chance to try out the new Air Space freestyle trampolining centre at Stevenage Leisure Park.

I arrived at 10am after a McDonald’s coffee to perk me up and – dressed in my work shirt and trousers – I prepared myself for the humiliation I believed was to come.

The Comet: The Comet's Martin Elvery plays some dodgeball at Air Space.The Comet's Martin Elvery plays some dodgeball at Air Space. (Image: Archant)

But once I was greeted by Hannah Nightingale, the bright and breezy marketing officer for the centre, my morning soon began to improve. I was introduced to Nathan Cook, a level two coach and staff member Liam Hill, and despite being hugely intimidated by their impressive muscular physiques, I watched in awe as they performed a series of flips, pikes and rolls which would have had Olympic divers and gymnasts taking a good hard look at their routines.

They soon had me jumping and, despite feeling slightly queasy as my cornflakes shifted uncomfortably inside my stomach, the adrenaline kicked in and I was bouncing around nicely.

I was okay jumping straight in the air, but I couldn’t quite master the star jumps and butt sits they tried to teach me, largely due to the total inflexibility of my body. But the tuition was first class and someone with a more pliable frame would do just fine.

I did however come into my own on the giant airbag where, after some coaching, I performed an almost faultless forward leap, and even a forward roll.

The highlight was a furious game of dodgeball where – with Hannah as my teammate – we took on Liam and Nathan and almost held our own.

My chest was heaving by the end, but I was left in no doubt by the sweat that began to pour off me that even 20 minutes of this is a fantastic workout, which really gives you same great cardio and tests just about every muscle in your body.

It’s also fantastic fun and, whether you want to just have a bit of a bounce with your kids or mates, or develop your skills and fitness to become a bit of a pro, it is all possible here.

Where you might spend hours sweating and swearing on a conventional run or treadmill, you will burn some serious calories here in no time.

The young and glamorous, who look cool without trying, will love it from the off. For the slightly more middle aged and rounded among us, it might take an initial effort of willpower, but once you see how quickly you can burn fat here and get rid of that bouncing belly – you might well become addicted.

For more information about the centre at Stevenage Leisure Park and to book visit www.air-space.co.uk.