As you may well know by now, members of the Spabreaks.com team have been training since January for a 10k run in July in aid of Cancer Research UK; but alongside all the positive side effects, there have naturally, been a few aches and pains along the way.

When it comes to sport and exercise, the bodily maintenance that comes with it sometimes feels like the equivalent of fine print – no one really told you that it was anything more than having a go – well, they did, but it didn’t really sink in until your knees started swelling up and your calf muscles had an argument with your shins.

When it comes to running in particular, your knees and legs take a serious battering, so anything that can help soothe them, limit the damage and boost the beneficial effects of exercise is always welcome – particularly if it can help prevent injury, which is always infinitely easier than repairing it, and this is where Bodypro50 comes in with their Ice Flow Gel.

Claiming to be a natural solution to tackling joint and muscle pain, it is a fusion of plant extracts and essential oils that can be used at home as well as in treatments including reflexology and ultrasound.

Initially, I have to say it sounded like a variation on Deep Heat – all fine, but retailing at nearly £30 per bottle, I really hoped it was going to do a little more than inflict unusual temperature sensations whilst simultaneously making me smell like a pharmacy … as it happened, I smelled less like a pharmacy and more like a packed of menthol lozenges, but alongside that the gel does do exactly what it says on the tin – not only was it cooling, it’s the bottled equivalent of jumping into a plunge pool.

The recommendation is to apply the gel before, during and after exercise as desired.  Personally applying before exercise did not go down well – cold legs against a bracing wind was not an incentive to perform any better, and during exercise isn’t terribly practical, especially when you are running outside.

However, applying it immediately after exercise before you start stretching had a rather more impressive impact: instantly cooling, the herbal combination went a long way to soothing habitual muscular complaints, swelling and discomfort along the legs, and often suffering from back pain it was extremely soothing between the shoulder blades as well with a noticeable lack of immobile repercussions the following day.

Trying it at different times during exercise routines, two of us who tested the product came to the conclusion that applying it immediately after exercise, before showering was the best time to use it so that it had time to work and was not impinged upon by any other products, moisturisers or in the case of pre-run applications, rubbed off by your clothing.

Ultimately, the £30 price tag is still a bit of an off-put when there are cheaper products or the age-old cold bath to produce similar effects – but to be honest, this is a lot more convenient and pleasant than that – it’s easy to apply and although other products do induce similar sensations, you do feel the effects of Ice Flow Gel for a considerably longer period of time after use than most … so ultimately it has proven an extremely welcome addition to our 10k training routine!

To support the team in their 10k run visit: Justgiving.com or text SPAB86 £3 (or the amount you would like to donate) to 70070.