THE PILATES TRAINER

‘Strength is as important as good posture and flexibility,’ says Lynne Robinson, who’s been doing Pilates for 30 years and has trained many celebrities. When doing the exercises, use your core to control movement by drawing your pelvic floor muscles back to front and up inside until you feel your abdominals hollow.

HIP ROLLS

Age-defying benefits: This exercise will help to trim your waist.

l Lie on your back with your knees bent, feet together, pelvis level and spine retaining its natural curves, with a folded towel beneath your head if it’s more comfortable. Reach your arms out on the mat slightly lower than shoulder height with your palms facing upwards.

l Breathe in wide and, keeping the inner thighs together, roll your pelvis to the right, rolling first through your hips, waist and finally lower ribs. The left side of your pelvis and the lower left ribs will peel slightly off the mat. Your legs move as one unit as you roll.

l Breathe out as you return your pelvis and legs back to the starting position, lower ribs first, then waist and hips, starting from your centre.

l Repeat on the other side, then repeat the sequence up to six times.