How To Get A Body Like A 'Strictly Come Dancing' Dancer (Without Spending Hours Actually Dancing)

How To Get A Body Like A 'Strictly Come Dancing' Dancer
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Whether you watch "Strictly Come Dancing" voluntarily or because someone else has commandeered the remote, the same thing is running through all our minds: man, the dancers have amazing bodies.

Clearly they have achieved those toned tummies and legs by zipping about for eight hours a day, but Fitness First trainer Amanda O'Hare says there's a way of getting that lean-yet-strong look without needing to do the same.

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1. For toned legs, look at doing multi-directional lunges to hit the thighs and bum from every angle. Kick off with a lunge on the right leg, moving around each point of the compass aiming to keep your knees at 90 degrees and your torso upright. Once you’ve completed one rotation, switch to your left leg.

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2. To achieve the ultimate six-pack stomach, try a dynamic plank workout. Start on your tip toes and with your elbows on the ground before rising up onto your hands, keeping your body rigid and your glutes squeezed tight to protect your back. Not only will this give you great abs but also strong shoulders too.

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3. Coordination exercises are also key to improving balance and performance – something all dancers need. Jumping jacks and skipping are both great workouts that will help with your leg and feet coordination, as well as toning your calves.

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4. Lastly, to improve your posture and keep the abs tight, jump on the TRX machine and do some ‘rows’. By holding the straps close either side of your chest, lean back and fully extend the arms before pulling yourself up to the top again. Repeat this for eight reps while making sure to keep the hips high to ensure your abs are engaged.

'Strictly' Curse Victims
Rachel Riley(01 of10)
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The 'Countdown' presenter announced her split from her husband just weeks after her stint on the show. Earlier this year, it was confirmed that Rachel and her partner Pasha Kovalev are dating, however, she remains insistent that 'Strictly' had nothing to do with her marriage split. (credit:Joe Giddens/PA Archive)
Sunetra Sarker(02 of10)
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Sunetra split from her husband of 10 years just before filming for the 2014 series began. (credit:Eamonn M. McCormack via Getty Images)
Susanna Reid(03 of10)
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Susanna's marriage ended in February 2014, weeks after she finished as a runner-up in the competition. Susanna is still living with her ex, Dominic Cotton, and their two children. (credit:Ian West/PA Archive)
Caroline Flack(04 of10)
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Flackers and boyfriend Jack Street have called time on their relationship, according to reports. The former 'Xtra Factor' presenter dated the music manager for 18 months. (credit:Danny Martindale via Getty Images)
Ben Cohen(05 of10)
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Ben denied rumours that he was romancing his pro partner Kristina Rihanoff, though he later split from his wife Abby days after photos of him and Kristina looking cosy on the tube were posted online. (credit:Steve Thorne via Getty Images)
Matt Di Angelo(06 of10)
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The 'EastEnders' star reportedly first hooked up with Flavia Cacace during their time dancing together on the 2008 series - on which Flavia's boyfriend Vincent Simone was also a dancer.However, they weren't together for long... (credit:Jon Furniss via Getty Images)
Jimi Mistry(07 of10)
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Just a year after getting together with Matt, Flavia ended the relationship after finding love with her new dance partner Jimi. The couple married in 2013. (credit:Dave Hogan via Getty Images)
Joe Calzaghe(08 of10)
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Boxer Joe and pro dancer Kristina Rihanoff initally denied romance rumours when they were paired together in 2009, however Joe split from his girlfriend just weeks later. Joe and Kristina later confirmed that they were a couple, before splitting after four years together. (credit:Mark Cuthbert via Getty Images)
Dani Harmer (09 of10)
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'Tracey Beaker' star Dani split from her boyfriend just days after filming began in 2012. (credit:John Phillips via Getty Images)
Natasha Kaplinsky (10 of10)
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Newsreader Natasha and Brendan were plagued by romance rumours when they were paired up for the first ever series of 'Strictly' in 2004. Despite being insistent that they weer just friends, Natasha and Brendan both split from their partners shortly after winning the series. (credit:MJ Kim via Getty Images)