Compiled by Niamh Leonard-Bedwell. Photograph iStock
I f you want an efficient workout, incorporating mountain climbers into your routine could be the answer, says healthy’s own fitness expert Luisa Valenti. ‘Mountain climbers are a powerful and effective exercise, firing nearly every muscle in the body,’ she says. ‘In particular, they target your core, triceps, deltoids [shoulders], hip-flexors and quads. So in the modern world, where lack of time is a common feature, incorporating exercises such as mountain climbers could be the solution – they give you a lot more bang for your buck.’
And they’re versatile, too. As well as helping you build cardio endurance, burn calories and improve your strength and agility, mountain climbers can be used as a dynamic warm-up before a run. ‘The beauty of them is that they require no equipment – you only need your bodyweight and the floor,’ Valenti says. But before you start, make sure you’ve got the basic technique nailed.