Balancing act

Work on your core strength and body control with these stability-enhancing exercises

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The gym might be your first port of call after Easter indulgences, but before you WOD away your chocolate-egg paunch, consider first taking the time to correct your form and balance out any instabilities.

Future you - stronger and more stable as a result - will thank you for it. The following exercises, though they target different body parts, are primarily designed to activate your core and teach your body - particularly the less-heralded stabilising muscles - how to handle unstable movement patterns. This type of stability training may not be sexy or particularly fun, but consistent application will create coordination, massively reduce your risk of injury and eliminate any overcompensations you've built up over the years. Pick and choose from this list, or throw all the moves together into a once-a-week conditioning circuit.

How to:

Complete the moves as standalone warm-up drills or combine for a full-body workout.

Aim for 10-15 reps of each exercise, for 2-4 sets.

Keep rest time between 30 and 90 secs.

Reverse lunge to front kick

Main benefits: Hip mobility, and unilateral leg strength and stability.

Stand with feet shoulderwidth apart. Keep your core stable.

• Take a large step back with your right foot, planting and then lowering your body until both legs are bent at right angles.

• Exhale as you extend your legs. Lift your right foot, bringing your right knee toward your chest, then kick your front kick out.

Repeat with the other leg.

Bench pistol squat

Main benefits: Ankle mobility, unilateral quad strength and full recruitment of the posterior chain.

• Stand in front of a bench or chair.

• Lift one foot off the floor, with the toes of your grounded foot pointing forward.