Former England football captain Alan Shearer has helped launch the second of seven new Speedflex studios planned by Bannatyne Group before the end of the year.

Shearer, who is also a director of the boutique operator, opened the studio at Bannatyne Health Club and Spa Mansfield, with five more set to follow over the next month, although locations have not been disclosed.

Speedflex uses hydraulic machine-based technology to offer high-intensity interval training at low impact, generating personalised resistance levels.

"It's the only thing I've been able to do since I retired in 2006 that has given me no pain whatsoever because of my knees, my back and ankles after playing football for 20 years," said Shearer.

“More than £1m [€1.1m, US$1.3m] has been invested in our Mansfield health club to vastly increase the offering to clients and members," said Justin Musgrove, chief executive of the Bannatyne Group.

"We want to provide members with the latest fitness workouts and trends, and the addition of the Speedflex studio is part of this ambition.”

Bannatyne’s is the first national health club operator in the UK to offer Speedflex training and opened its first studio in Darlington, County Durham, in January.

Speedflex has separate studios in London, Reigate, West Byfleet, Newcastle, Cork, as well as Dallas in the US and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.

Shearer spoke to Health Club Management about plans for Speedflex earlier this year. For the full interview click here.