The Teddington pilates teacher who has pioneered the development of exercise equipment for astronauts has been inspired by the Apple TV+ series Ted Lasso, filmed in nearby Richmond, Nub News can reveal.

Inventor John Kennett has used the famous Ted Lasso mantra BELIEVE for the latest series of tests and experiments whilst floating in zero gravity. The team will be wearing special flight suits with the distinctive yellow BELIEVE patch logo clearly visible on the sleeve for the mission, which is being run by the French Space Agency.

The exercise system is called HIFIm, which means High Frequency Impulse for Microgravity and supports the next generation of astronauts and para-astronauts during long space missions.

The HIFIm exercise machine invented by Teddington pilates teacher John Kennett is being tested on board the aircraft

"I was late to Ted Lasso," says John, who runs a pilates studio on Teddington High Street. "But once I started watching, I was hooked. 

"Ted passionately rails against those who showed a lack of faith in his team and I believe the same about HIFIm. 

"It has been eleven years in development and I have had to push my way into the European Space Agency, UK Space Agency, making all the connections myself flying throughout Europe and America and believing my design is the next generation of astronaut and para-astronaut exercise equipment needed for humans to travel through the solar system.

"Belief has been so important in making this happen and taking HIFIm this far. I have to pinch myself", says John. "When I remind myself how far we have come: It is only fitting that alongside our HIFIm mission patch, we wear a Ted Lasso BELIEVE mission patch."

John and the test team are currently in Bordeaux, France where a specially converted A310 airbus called Air Zero G will conduct a series of roller coaster manoeuvres where the aircraft will climb at an angle of 50 degrees throwing the team into zero gravity for 22 seconds when they will carry out a series of high impact jumps using his HIFIm exercise equipment on board.

The A310 Airbus which is being used for the astronaut exercise tests and experiments

The exercise programme is designed to help astronauts maintain bone and muscle mass during weightlessness. Astronauts can lose up to 1.5% of their bone mass per month when in space and the HIFIm exercise helps maintain both bone and muscle strength.

"Being in zero gravity is extraordinary," says John. "The aeroplane flies level then pulls up steeply for 30 seconds to nearly a 50 degrees angle. The G forces pushing you into the floor of the plane make you feel twice as heavy. I could feel my sinuses draining.

"Then the pilots throw you into zero gravity and surreally you float, everything floats and for that 22 second window we have the opportunity to do our research." 

HIFIm has huge terrestrial applications, helping those with osteoporosis to build bone density and muscle mass, reducing their fracture risk and improving the strength and stability, for pre and post operations rehabilitation.

John and his team have carried out feasibility studies for use with leg amputees to great success and paediatric consultants have asked if they can use HIFIm to help their young patients who have been bed bound for a long time. The British Army are also interested in HIFIm to help their soldiers.