There’s a new kid on the fitness block.

Active Souls is making its mark as the way to end every Monday and Wednesday right.

Instead of setting goals, which let’s be honest are often unrealistic, and rather than sticking to rigorous reps these fitness sessions encourage you to let your inner child loose with games that bring you back to your school days.

’You play kids’ games for an hour, like dodgeball and stuck in the mud. We’re going back next week!’ a colleague told me ecstatically.

She didn’t need to say any more. I was in.

I’ve been to four Monday sessions now, which are held at Ballakermeen High School in Douglas, and by the end of the hour I feel absolutely stress-free and seriously sweaty - proof of an excellent workout.

What I noticed in my first session was how immediately accepted I felt in the crowd of strangers who were of all ages and genders.

This week I decided to report on my experience. The participants - roughly 20 of us - were split into two teams.

We delved into the first game, which was similar to netball but with a soft dodgeball. The hunger for the ball was real! It was striking to see how a simple game brings out everyone’s competitive side despite there being no real score keeping.

A game of ’Hotdog’ was next with those who got tagged having to lie down on the floor and wait for two people to go either side effectively creating the bun to their sausage.

The sausage would then be set free.

Bench ball, an old classic, was played before a big yoga ball was brought out. The whole group formed two circles with a few running in between them trying to avoid the rolling ball.

Although these playground games reveal people’s competitive gurns, a shed load of laughter is shared.

There’s nothing clique-like about Active Souls. Sure you can bring your friends along, but the nature of the fitness class makes it so you immerse yourself into the group. It’s in the two-minute breaks between games that you speak to your friends or make new ones.

The way I see it is that these fitness sessions have emerged in defiance of popular exercise culture. This child’s play is the baby of Michael Haslett, which began in May this year.

’I always felt a bit of disenchantment with the health and fitness world.

’I think it’s quite goal orientated for people and I think that leads to short-term outcomes. I want to encourage people to enjoy themselves again,’ he said.

The athlete, who has represented the island in 400m hurdle racing, has worked with children over 10 years and has a degree in sports development and coaching.

He said: ’I’ve always wondered why adults don’t play. I found the benefits are still there and potentially more so in terms of stress-relief and mental health. I thought "why aren’t people doing this?".’

He added: ’I don’t want people to see me as an instructor. The beauty of play is freedom and it’s for people to express themselves, to create and to cheat if they need to. When you’re a child, play doesn’t exist with an adult stood on the side telling you how to do stuff.’

Search www.activesouls.co.uk for more.