Our core muscles are key for controlling just about every part of our bodies, but they’re particularly important for lower body movement. Working on your glutes, lower back, quads and hamstrings is the perfect way to work the core without putting too much pressure on an already stressed area. “What people often don’t know is that by doing glute work, you’re stabilising your pelvis,” says Sam Hull, a PT specialising in pre-and postnatal wellbeing and fitness.

Your pelvis sits at the base of your core and stabilising it will help you to do more effective core work in the future. A stable pelvis also helps to improve your posture and reduce back pain – win, win! So, what lower body exercises work that deep core?

SQUATS (12 reps x 3)

Standing with feet shoulder-width apart, bend the knees as if you’re about to sit in a chair. When your quads are parallel to the floor, hold the position and come back to standing – squeezing your glutes when you get there. Go down for a count of three and come up for a count of one.

CLAMS (15 reps each side)

Lie on your right side. Bend your right elbow and rest your head on your hand. Stack your legs on top of each other, bending your knees to be at a 45° angle. Keeping your heels together and without moving the pelvis or lower leg, raise your upper knee. Pull the belly button towards your spine, Squeeze your glutes, close your knees and then switch sides.

TOE TAPS (15 reps each side)

Lie on your back with your lower back flat on the floor. Bring the legs up to a 90° angle and one leg at a time, extend to tap the floor with your toes – keeping the back flat on the floor. Return to the tabletop position and repeat on the other side.

Everything you need to know training with diastasis recti