Move of the Week: Hip lift

Start on the floor with the weight on your hips. Satish Kumar / The National

Inger Larson, the head nutritionist and trainer at Scandinavian Health & Performance (SHP) in Dubai, demonstrates the first exercise in our eight-part weekly series of workouts, while the gym's owner and head trainer Ian Houghton provides a step-by-step below. Do this move alone or incorporate it into your own fitness routine.

"An excellent exercise for developing the glutes, hamstrings and lower back muscles."

Start on the floor with the weight on your hips. It may also help to use some kind of padding such as a towel beneath the bar, which can be heavy.

Lift your hips as high as you can to make a horizontal line between your shoulder, hips and knees. Keep your head and shoulders relaxed.

Hold the top position for about three seconds, then come back down. Your bottom should briefly touch the ground before you aggressively push your hips back up.

• Top tips If you are not in the gym, rest your back against a chair or sofa. If you don't have a weighted pole (available at Ace Hardware stores), your body weight is adequate.

SHP is in Unit 1304, Swiss Tower, Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai. Call 050 464 9396 or visit www.shpdubai.com

Follow us