Cycling is a gentle non-weight-bearing, low impact activity that tones your legs, bottom and thigh muscles, as well as your back and shoulders, and can burn 500 calories an hour. If you have a bicycle already, it's a great way to exercise as well as getting you from A to B. If not, perhaps you could borrow one to try it out - you might love it!

Depending on where you live, you could go on a bicycle adventure in a park and round town, or have a mountain bike adventure in the country. Try to start out with at least a 20 minute ride, or up to 40 minutes if you're feeling great once you start.

To make it even more enjoyable, why not recruit a friend, or if you have a dog take him too, as they'd almost certainly enjoy running freely off the lead nearby while you cycle - if you're somewhere safe, like a park or open countryside.

It's not just the gradients that increase your energy expenditure – when you rock the bike side to side to get up a steep slope or 'loft' (pull up the handlebars to get the front wheel over obstacles in the path), you work your upper-body muscles as well as your legs, bottom and thigh muscles.

If possible, try cycling 3 to 4 times a week, it's a great workout!