Mail Head of Features Chris Cordner has become a fitness junkie and he's loving it. This week, he reveals the great strides he's made in the gym.

I'M a record breaker!

Okay, so Sir Steve Redgrave may have nothing to worry about but I have set a new personal best on the rowing machine.

Four minutes and 30 seconds for 1,000 metres. Woohoo!

I am now about a month into my get-fit regime at the Springs health venue on Hartlepool Marina.

Personal trainer Chris I'Anson has been pushing me hard and it's paying dividends.

People are telling me I'm losing weight and looking generally fitter. It's just the spur I need to keep me going.

Did I mention I'd set a new personal best on the rowing machine.

As I prepared to start the 1,000 metre row, Chris told me he'd be happy with a time of around five minutes to five minutes 30. Pah! Forget that. I was going for it big style and I knew I could do better.

Off I went. I was flying. The metres flew by and the time was going to be a good one.
Then the burning sensation kicked in with more than 200 metres still to go.

I hit the infamous wall. Correction. I didn't so much hit it as slam into it full face on.

"Go on Chris!" yelled my personal trainer. "You can do it!"

I was dying a thousand deaths as I pushed myself for the finish line.
One hundred metres to go. "Go on!" yelled Chris again. "If you've got anything left in the engine, go for it now!"

And surprisingly, I found something left in my body to absolutely go for it in those last few metres.

I was rowing as if my life depended on it and at last – the finish line.

I collapsed in my seat as my personal trainer commented "you've got to be pleased with that".

As I gulped in huge gasps of air, I realised he was right. Four minutes 30 seconds.

I had pushed myself hard and got the rewards.

As the pain died away it dawned on me that I was making progress. Big strides. I had just done something which was beyond me just weeks earlier.

I was shattered for the rest of that day.

But I have to admit, as I sat at home and reflected on the day gone by, I remembered what I achieved on that rowing machine - and punched the air with a jubilant "yes!"

By the way, did I mention I'd set a new personal best.

Next week: On a diet – and it's five meals a day!

HAVE you set a personal best on the rowing machine?
Or perhaps you've battered your own previous record on the cross trainer.

The static cycle may be your thing or even the weights.
Whatever your record, well done!

It's an achievement you should shout about.

Mail2 today starts a new column where we encourage people to send in their records in the gym.

Each week, we will publish a list of those times, weights and distances you are really proud of.

So come on. Get sending your personal bests to the Mail's head of features Chris Cordner by emailing chris.cordner@northeast-press.co.uk