Active Nation fitness coaches at Chamberlayne Leisure Centre are supporting the Daily Echo’s Staying Alive campaign, urging Sotonians to burn off those extra calories in a bid to battle killer diseases and illnesses.

We launched the campaign after revealing that 13,000 city residents died early from the four illnesses of cancer, heart disease and stroke, and lung disease and liver disease between 2009 and 2011.

The fitness coaches run RPM sessions at the leisure centre, and at the Quays Swimming and Diving Complex – these use stationary exercise bikes to a background of high tempo music.

The course, set by exercise guru Les Mills, takes traditional spinning classes to a higher gear by following a strictly choreographed routine.

The 45-minute routines begin with a warm-up followed by various riding positions, speeds and resistances to simulate hills, mountain climbs and mixed terrains, plus intervals and sprints.

They feature aerobic and anaerobic exercise, burning up to 620 calories, boosting, cardiovascular fitness, burning fat and toning and shaping legs, hips and buttocks.

Exercise leader Nathalie Humby said: “It’s a really good workout and the music creates a feel good factor making people work a lot harder.

“Anyone can do it and at the end of the day it’s your bike – you are in charge and you can maintain a certain speed or you can turn the resistance down.”

It also benefits riders unable to train during winter or in poor weather and can be adapted between terrains to work different muscle groups for specific amounts of time.

Backing the Echo’s campaign she added: “It’s a good idea because people are going to be influenced by what they read and hear and they will get ideas of how to be healthier.”

Centre fitness manager Pawel Duchnowski added: “We are trying to raise awareness that if exercise becomes part of your life it will help you live longer, become healthier and help you deal with stress.”

Find out more about RPM and the centre’s other sports and activities by visiting its open day on July 6.

See activenation.org.uk/leisure-centre/chamberlayne-leisure-centre-southampton/ for details.