Dance your way to flatter abs

Dance often forces the spine into movements such as bending too far back (hyperextension), which can cause back pain through pressure on one of the many joints of the spine, most often in the lower back. This is a particular risk to anyone taking up dance who has not been a dancer or gymnast from a young age or to those with underlying back problems.

There have been lots of fitness videos focusing on dance in recent years which can give you a good dance workout in the comfort of your own living room. Martine McCutcheon's Dance Body DVD is a workout video that is suitable for those of us who aren't experts at dancing. It does help to have a little knowledge and experience of dance before you start so you don't injure yourself, but you certainly don't need to be a professional dancer to join in the fun.

For someone with a bit more dancing experience, Angela Griffin's Dance Mix Workout is good for a more intensive workout. The level of intensity and relative complexity of some of the dance moves means it might take a while to get the hang of things, but at the same time it isn't so challenging that you want to throw in the towel after the first session.

A Dirty Dancing Workout is loosely based on the hit film, and you can tackle either the beginners' workout or the advanced version. For the super-fit, you can do both for a more intensive fitness session. The dance routines gradually get more difficult as the video progresses, giving a good all-over workout by the time you've finished. The dance moves are quite complex, so this is not the best option for anyone who has never danced before.

The Hotpants Workout will really show you how dance can be both fun and rewarding. It's presented by Dan Karaty, who has choreographed dance routines for many celebrities, including Jessica Simpson and Kylie Minogue.

Toned abs have to start with an already flat stomach, but don't despair! If there is a layer of fat covering your abs at the moment it is just a case of working hard to remove this first.

Denise Van Outen lost around a stone while treading the boards in Chicago, but Anna warns that this had a lot to do with the intensive dance training she was undergoing during the musical, and was also combined with a healthy diet.

Nutrition expert Dr Sarah Brewer suggests that the usual healthy eating guidelines apply here.

Sarah says: 'That means a sensible intake of low to moderate glycemic index carbohydrates, a protein source with each meal, and at least five servings of fruit and vegetables per day. Fluid intake is also important'.

Dancing can be a fun way to tone your abs, but like any other exercise it requires patience and dedication to achieve the best results.