I'VE arranged to head over to Manchester's National Squash Centre, thinking I'll be learning how to grunt and jerk my way round a squash court.

But when I get to the centre of excellence over at Sportcity, they take one look at my less-than-agile form and decide I'll be learning racquetball instead.

Apparently it's almost identical rules to squash, but that little bit easier for beginners like me because the ball is bouncier.

I meet with Head Coach for Manchester Chris Lengthorn for my introduction to racquetball.

He tells me it is the UK's fastest growing ball sport – and, conveniently for me, its something for all ages and abilities.

He helps to win me over by telling me an average fast-paced hour of racquetball fun can burn up to 600 calories.

And as well as a good old cardio workout which will boost my aerobic fitness, it also helps to improve flexibility and develop strength and power in my muscles. Sounds good.

He takes me through the rules of play, which are similar to those of squash – ie you hit a ball against a wall.

After a bit of a bat around, he says we're ready to play a proper game. First to 12 wins. And all to played out within the world championship all-glass court at the heart of the sports complex. Gulp.

Chris rather admirably tries to let me get into the game, until we are even tied 10-10. But after I send the ball flying over the glass box rim for about the eleventh time Chris decides to put me out of my misery and clinches the game 12-10.

After 40 minutes zipping around the court, I have to say it felt like a really good workout – but I was so busy concentrating on the game I hardly noticed at the time.

It's certainly won me over – and I've even dragged my other half to our local leisure centre squash courts to have a bat around too.

Most leisure centres will hire you a racket and ball for a nominal charge of around £1, and court hire starts from £3 at Manchester centres.

To find your nearest club see englandsquashandracketball.com