This week sees the 40th anniversary edition of the Tour of Tameside and, in preparation, Reporter editor Nigel Skinner gives us his account as personal trainer Zam Hussein put him through his paces...

The time had come (well it was long overdue really) for one man in his prime to get ‘Tour’ ready. 

Many might say I’m well past my prime actually and I wouldn’t necessarily disagree with them. But with this year marking the 40th anniversary of the Tour of Tameside, it was time to stop talking about taking part and actually be a part of it for my very first time.

‘Active, happy and healthy’ is the phrase banded about the office as the countdown continues to this year’s Tour. 

But with the clock ticking I had only 28 days to go to be ‘Tour ready’! 

However, I’ve watched the film - twice in fact at Hyde Town Hall and Dukinfield Town Hall - plus I’ve got the ‘retro’ T-shirt. 

Just how difficult could this possibly be?

It was then that I spotted a promo for a 28-day programme for the over-50s at 360 Fitness in Stalybridge. 

Yes, I know it might be hard to believe that the guy in these pictures could possibly be a day over 50 and those who know me certainly say I very rarely act that way. In reality, I’m already halfway to 60 (can you believe that?) but as a keen am dram man I always say you’re only as old as you act.

After a brief telephone conversation and question and answer session with 360 Fitness personal trainer Zam Hussein, we met up at the Stalybridge-based gym so he could put me through my paces.

Although I have spent most of my working life slaving over a hot computer in a sedentary position, I did manage to shed about a stone after taking part in the Tameside sugar free diet led by Tameside Hospital a few years back.

You are, as they say, what you eat and I’ve managed to stay away from too many sweets ever since, but as my idea of exercise is getting up out of my office chair moaning that my legs are aching and then promptly sitting back down again, or at the very best cutting the grass, I knew there was (considerable) room for improvement.

I joked that my waistline was a similar size to Zam’s 360 logo on his wall. He replied (seriously) that I needed to lose around two stone  - but in 28 days with the right diet (low carbs and high in protein) losing half a stone should be my goal.

As well as regular sessions in the gym, I’d also have to get walking and needed to be aiming to complete a minimum 20,000 steps a week.

My first workout on the bike, lifting weights and medicine balls and doing press-ups was fun - but seriously hard work.

However, the number of exercises I’m now getting through after just a couple of weeks has more than doubled as Zam firmly pushes me on.

Plus the great thing about being in a class for my age group means you absolutely don’t feel inhibited in any way - in fact genuine support is all around in a really friendly atmosphere - something I hadn’t experienced in bigger gyms.

So, will I be Tour ready? Well of course I have no intention of running the full marathon - or in fact anywhere - and at this late stage that would be just ludicrous and totally inadvisable anyway. 

No, I’m signing up for the ‘Walking Tour’. One is the charity fundraising memorial walk in memory of PC Nicola Hughes on the final day of the Tour, while another is on the Saturday along the Longdendale Trail - and I will definitely be ready for both - and thanks to Zam for getting me there!

Do I feel fitter, healthier and happier? It has to be said yes - not only do I feel far better in myself but the one thing that is evident is that feeling such helps you think so much more clearly too.

If you want to take part in the Tour of Tameside, you can find out more here: https://www.runningbeefoundation.co.uk/events-calendar/tour-of-tameside-2/. 

Images by Nigel Wood

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