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CELEBS TIP US OFF ON THEIR WORKOUT SECRETS

ABOVE: Carmen Electra works out with a sexy striptease

9th December 2009

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THE weather is rubbish and going out to exercise seems like way too much trouble.

So how do you stay in shape without leaving the comfort of your four walls?

New research shows that just doing puzzles like sudoku on your own comfy sofa burns 90 calories an hour - as much as a choc chip cookie.

Now JAMES MOORE has taken inspiration from celebs to come up with 12 other cracking workout ideas that you can do indoors.

And TV star and fitness trainer Ross Edgley from myprotein.co. uk gives us some top tips on how to take it to the max.

SEX IT UP

Star home hint: Model Carmen Electra, 37, works out with a sexy striptease. Carmen says: "I think that strippers have the best bodies. You can also use the moves in the bedroom."

Why it's good: Dancing and saucy striptease are both great for toning the legs and hips as well as burning off flab. Stripping to music can burn 350 calories or two packets of crisps.

Ross says: "Dancing and sex are both great all-round exercises, so combining the two makes for a hot workout."

BODY FIX

Star home hint: Liverpool ace Fernando Torres, 25, helps keep his body in great shape on and off the pitch by being a fan of home maintenance "I'm actually pretty good at DIY, " he claims.

Why it's good: Putting together flatpack furniture and hammering are both good exercises for your arms.

Painting burns 300 calories and tones your bingo wings, while sawing burns a whopping 510 calories - enough to work off a burger.

Ross says: "Sawing is probably the most vigorous DIY exercise you can do at home. It's brilliant for toning your arms. It can be done in short bursts and gives your metabolism a boost too."

GET SETTEE FOR RESULTS

Star home hint: Soap hottie Kym Marsh, 33, loves working out at home so much she brought out a special fitness DVD showing you how to do exercises using your sofa and having fun with workouts like pillow boxing.

Why it's good: Boxing, using a pillow held by your partner or friend, could burn up to 300 calories in half an hour while you can use the sofa to tone everything from your legs to your tum.

Ross says: "Try a leg lift, like Britney Spears, to work your inner thighs.

"Lie on the sofa on your side with one leg on top of the other. Then, slowly raise and lower the upper leg - heel first with toes pointing down towards the lounger.

"Repeat 15 times and then turn the other way so that you can change legs."

STEP T IT

Star home hint: Corrie favourite, Jennie McAlpine, 25, who plays Fiz in the soap, has shed two stone to show off a fab new physique.

She says: "I've got one of those plastic step exercisers at home and I do exercises while I'm watching Coronation Street. That's my kind of workout."

Why it's good: You can burn up to 500 calories an hour, which is as much as two chocolate bars.

Ross says: "You can adjust the height of the step. A higher step will tone hamstrings and your bum. A lower one will help you work your calves - great for getting legs in shape for high heels. Aim to work both legs for 20 minutes three times a week. You can use the stairs if you haven't got a stepper like Jennie."

HOUSE ABOUT THIS

Star home hint: Footie star David Beckham, 34, tones up by doing chores at home. He says: "I'm very passionate about cleanliness and housework. I love to vacuum."

Why it's good: Vacuuming burns 100 calories per 30 minutes - enough to work off a couple of biscuits.

Ross says: "Hoovering and cleaning windows will burn 250 calories an hour. Even dusting burns nine calories a minute."

JOIN THE PRESS GANG

Star home hint: Sexy singer Katy Perry, 25, is a fan of push-ups to help get her boobs in good shape. She says:
"The push-ups keep them good and not like armpit pancakes."

Why it's good: Great strength training which works your pecs. Good for helping keep breasts toned if you're a woman or giving you a well defined chest if you're a man. You can burn 400 calories an hour.

Ross says: "Try to keep your stomach and back straight when you're doing push-ups and aim to do 20 in a session.
They can boost your metabolism meaning that they help you burn calories up to 48 hours later."

HOME FIT SQUAD

Star home hint: Hollywood star Jessica Simpson, 29, got her bum in great shape by doing lots of lunges and squats with 45-minute sessions, up to six days a week.

Why it's good: While not a cardio exercise, they are great for toning up.

Ross says: "The wider you squat and the longer stride you take in the lunge the more it will work your butt. A shorter lunge will concentrate on toning the legs.

"Go for a 20-minute session three times a week."

PEDAL POWER

Star home hint: Celebs like Cheryl Cole, 26, use an exercise bike at home to stay in shape. The X Factor star is said to use the pricey Hypoxi Trainer S120, but you can pick one up for about £200.

Why it's good: A great fat burning exercise which can work off 250 calories in 30 minutes.

Ross says: "Lower the seat so your knees come up higher if you want to give your bottom a great workout.

A rowing machine is also worth investing in, working all your muscle groups and burning 125 calories, a glass of wine, in 15 minutes."

HAVE A BALL

Star home hint: Celebs including Jessica Alba, 28, have used a balance ball, perfect for toning up in your living room.

Why it's good: The ball is fantastic for doing crunches while lying on it to tone your abs.

Ross says: "You can sit on the ball and watch TV and do a whole host of exercises."

STAND UP FOR YOURSELF

Star home hint: Strictly Come Dancing host Tess Daly, 38, right, hates the gym but says her secret for staying fit is not turning into a couch potato.

She says: "I try to never sit down."

Why it's good:Standing requires 0.3 calories per minute more than sitting down, so the more you can stay upright the more calories you'll burn, helping you to lose weight.

Ross says: "Standing watching TV while you do the ironing is a great way to stay fit.

"Ironing burns 150 calories itself but standing stretches muscles and puts your body under strain so you use more energy."