weights in the gym – you can benefit from as little as 15 minutes of core stability work if you manage to do a selection of exercises regularly. Exercises you can do at home are ideal for rest days too when your body needs time to recover. Remember

first, then do one of the workouts below, alternating between them. Each takes 20 to 30 minutes. Except where noted, do three sets of 20 reps. Increase the reps each week until you get to 50, then increase resistance.Workout 1 Overhead press and squat

and competitive runners were put to the test. After initial evaluation of ground reaction forces, lower-extremity stability scores and 5,000m running performance, half participated in a six-week core strength training programme while the other half did not. All

crunches, you may find you have slipped into a routine. "You need to constantly challenge your muscles to get results," says running coach Sam Murphy, co-author of Running Well (Human Kinetics Publishers; £14.99). The fix Mix it up. Fine-tune your

most runners have been told to lift. “Start with a weight that you can only lift 6-8 times, and increase that weight once you can lift it 10 times,” says Wayne Westcott, a strength-training coach. This will ensure you are continuously taxing the muscle

from goodnessdirect.co.uk (£2.29 for 170g).Eat It Use equal parts almond butter, olive oil, balsamic vinegar and honey for dressing. Add to shakes or a stir-fry.Out BeefIn Bison Good For Heart health, mineral-rich, muscle-boosting Don't be buffaloed

already have the weapons you need to win the battle of the bulge. To ensure ultimate victory, you can see all 29 here. Otherwise, enjoy these 10 as a preview - and if you want to subscribe, you can save save 30% right here.Run Off The PoundsAdd 15 minutes

successor, Usain Bolt, is not, but that is because he's 200ft tall and runs on wheels. How elite athletes' BMIs comparePaula RadcliffeHeight 5'7" Weight (kg) 54BMI 18.0 (Underweight) Haile GebrselassieHeight 5'4" Weight (kg) 56BMI 20.5 (Normal Weight

in bed breathing - a 70kg 25-year-old male may have a BMR of roughly 1500-1600 calories a day." Keeping track of the amount of calories you take in is important. "To maintain weight throughout an off-season you have to watch what you eat," says Suffredin

, stomach pulled in, and extend your arm and leg. Hold for 15 to 30 seconds, then change sides. Do two sets with a 10- to 20-second rest between.Run the first running segment, then finish with five minutes of easy running.LOWER-BODY BLAST (45 mins)Find a