Look wizard: Potter workout

It's amazing what you can do with a broomstick these days. As Harry Potter mania once again sweeps across the UK, so we show you how to do the "Harry Potter" home workout. This was devised by a fitness expert and inspired by the movie.

Designed to transform you in as little as 15 minutes a day by increasing lean muscle tissue and improving muscular tone using ballet and pilates
techniques, this wizard workout utilises an old-fashioned broomstick (or a Nimbus 2000 should you have one available).

"Using a broomstick to exercise with is not just a gimmick," explains Jay Lysycia, from LA Fitness. "It's a great prop as it aids support and balance, enabling you to concentrate on your internal alignment. It's a good way to learn technique before adding weights." So broomsticks to the ready and away you go.

ROLL-UPS: for abdominals, pelvic floor and postural muscles. This movement comes from ballet and pilates with the broomstick helping control movement.

Start by sitting on the floor with your knees bent. Hold the broomstick out in front of you with your arms straight at chest-level.

As you exhale, slowly roll back. The movement should be slow and controlled. Try and place your vertebrae one by one on the floor behind you.

When you reach the bottom, extend your arms up behind you on the floor. Inhale and then as you exhale roll up to the starting position, as slowly as possible.

Repeat eight to 12 times.

LUNGE: works the thighs, bottom and abdominals and tightens your whole lower body. Your broomstick will help you balance.

Stand with feet hipwidth apart, right foot about 2ft in front of left foot. Hold your broomstick on its end with your right hand and position it on your right side, level with your right (front) foot.

Inhale and lunge down through your back left leg to bring knees to a 90-degree angle. Your left heel will come off the ground. Make sure your front knee doesn't travel forwards - keep the weight evenly balanced over both legs.

Exhale and push through your front right foot and extend back left hip by lifting your back leg straight out behind. Pivot forwards through your hips as you extend the back leg away and hold balance, keeping abdominals tight. Inhale, releasing and lower back foot onto ground into the lunge position again.

Repeat eight to 12 times each side.

INNER THIGH TRIMMER: tones and lengthens the muscles in this area. As you get stronger, lighten your hold on the broomstick.

Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart with your right hand holding the broomstick on its end on your righthand side. Inhale and squat down as if to sit on a chair by bending your knees, keeping your abdominals pressed to your spine.

Exhale, and as you push up out of the squat, transfer your weight onto your right leg, sweeping your left leg inwards across your body towards your broomstick as if you were striking a ball.

Inhale, returning your leg back to the start position. Repeat eight to 12 times on each side.

CANOEING: for abdominals and spine. The broomstick acts as a balance aid and helps strengthen shoulders and arms. You can challenge yourself further by leaning back more.

Sit on the floor with legs comfortably bent, holding the broomstick in front of you, parallel and in line with your shoulders. As you exhale, rotate your waist and stick to the right side. Inhale to come back to centre and this time, as you exhale, rotate gently to the left.

The aim is to make a smooth, thin figure-ofeight movement, originating from your centre, trying to keep your body, apart from the shoulders, still.

Repeat eight to 12 times.