Places Features

Commuters travelling from Bedford can now enjoy a work out before they hop on the train.

Bedford train station has become the first in the country to offer commuters a fitness pod which gives travellers who don't normally have time for the gym, the opportunity to get fit on their way to work.

The sitting pose

And if you’re worried that you’d upset other commuters by getting on a train all hot and sweaty, then there’s no need, because this machine can tone your muscles while you just stand there!

Tone

Rhys Peakman, a personal trainer for Vibe, the makers of the pod, explained how it works.

“You stand on the machine and it causes the muscles to contract and at the same time tone them, while doing different poses” he said.

“It gives commuters the opportunity to stand on a machine in their suits” he continued.

“When you stand on the machine you don’t sweat at all, you can just stand there while the muscles contract and that’s why it’s so great. People are doing it in their work clothes. I know it’s a hard concept to try and imagine really but you can stand on the machine with your clothes on and not sweat at all.

“Ten minutes on one of these machines is equivalent to an hour in the gym because we can target every single muscle group in the body” he added.

“Once you’ve finished on the machine it can leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated for your trip into London.”

Commuters

So far, commuters do seem to be taking advantage of the machine, so do they plan to put machines in other stations?

“We’ll see how it goes” said Rhys.

“The concept is catching on really quickly. I had a gentleman on it this morning at 6.00am before the 6.15 train and one at 6.15am before the 6.30am train.

“People are loving it, so fingers crossed.”

Commuter Rose Parks is certainly one satisfied customer.

“I don’t always have the time to get to the gym” she said, “and if I’m commuting and want to fit in some exercise just before I dash for the train, this is ideal.”