Perfect abs for a perfect summer

It's bikini season. Which means it's bikini-body article season — you know, the whole "get a beach body in just two weeks" thing. Personally, I don't believe in quick fixes. But I do believe that just a few minutes of exercise, done regularly, can make a difference.

So with that in mind, here's my bikini-body piece — my "10 minutes a day top tips to banish your muffin top".

The set-up for every exercise is the same: turn your tummy muscles on and keep them on. Pull your tummy into your spine and inhale. (Think holding on when you need the loo.)

The time for each exercise excludes time to rest if you're out of position. Try to do a minimum of 20 seconds at a time, and don't forget to breathe!
Plank: From all fours, rest elbows on the ground, straighten legs behind you so you are on your toes. Two minutes.

Leg crossovers: Lie on your back, feet together, legs to the ceiling, toes pointed. Slowly drop your legs until your abs contract, then crisscross your feet. Three minutes.

Rollbacks: Sit on a pillow with knees bent at 45 degrees. You have 10 seconds to roll down until you are flat on your back. Repeat. Three minutes.

Seated pike: Continuing on from the rollback, stop halfway and hold. Lift one leg up (both if you can), back straight, extend your arms straight and pulse up and down. Two minutes.

By working the core, these exercises not only flatten the stomach but help you stand taller, making you look slimmer straight away.

David Higgins is co-founder of TENPilates (tenpilates.com)