The Premier League's all-time top-goalscorer has opened a new fitness studio in Harpenden.

Alan Shearer cut the ribbon for a new 'FORTIS' studio at Everyone Active's Harpenden Leisure Centre yesterday (Monday, January 16).

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During the event, the Newcastle United legend and SpeedFlex ambassador took part in a fitness session and held a meet and greet with invited guests.

Prior to the event, The Herts Advertiser spoke with Alan about the type of training that the studio will be used for: "Well, first of all it keeps me fit and healthy.

St Albans & Harpenden Review: Alan spoke of how this type of training has helped him to continue exercising with injuries.Alan spoke of how this type of training has helped him to continue exercising with injuries. (Image: Marcel Grabowski)

"The other thing is that, because of my injuries, I can't run.

"Knees, ankles, back, I've always had problems with them.

"When I finished playing in 2006, I was determined that, because I'd trained every day for almost 20 years, I wasn't going to do anything.

"After about two months you realise that you've got to do something, you've got to keep fit.

St Albans & Harpenden Review: The FORTIS sessions allow anyone, regardless of their fitness level, to reach the highest score.The FORTIS sessions allow anyone, regardless of their fitness level, to reach the highest score. (Image: Marcel Grabowski)

"After a couple of years, this came along! It's low impact, high intensity, it's ideal.

"It's great for me and it works for everyone, at whatever age.

"I'm 53 in August, and I still get the buzz now as I did all those years ago!"

The FORTIS studio's HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) workouts feature a heart rate monitor, which scores each participant on how hard they are working.

St Albans & Harpenden Review: The FORTIS studio utilises SpeedFlex machines for its workouts.The FORTIS studio utilises SpeedFlex machines for its workouts. (Image: Marcel Grabowski)

This means that anyone, regardless of their fitness levels, can reach the highest score in a session.

SpeedFlex machines are also utilised during the workout.

On how important facilities such as these are to Harpenden and the surrounding area, Alan continued: "It's a community hub isn't it (the Leisure Centre), for an area?

"I think it's typical for an area like this, that if you've got a bit of a hub where you can get here, you can meet here, you can do your exercise, you can do whatever you want!

"You can have a coffee, you can chill and relax, I think it's a big part of the community hub."

St Albans & Harpenden Review: Alan spoke of how he has visited Hertfordshire in the past, with a variety of teams.Alan spoke of how he has visited Hertfordshire in the past, with a variety of teams. (Image: Marcel Grabowski)

When asked about his memories of Hertfordshire from his playing days, the former striker added: "We used to meet here for the England team sometimes.

"I've stayed here several times over the years, whether it was with Newcastle, Blackburn, Southampton on away trips playing in London.

"Some good memories, some not so good in terms of results!"

Lastly, asked whether he would follow in Gary Lineker's footsteps - after his Match of the Day co-star presented the show in his underwear after Leicester won the league - Alan replied: "I definitely won't be doing anything as stupid as that!

"At the minute Newcastle United are third, so there's a chance they could do it.

"It's unlikely, but I won't be doing anything like that, definitely not."