One of the worst things about working out is how boring it can be.

Squats, lunges, sit-ups, yawn. We do it because we know it’s important – but wouldn’t it be better if we could find a way to make fitness really, genuinely fun?

Figure 8 Fitness could be the answer. It’s the home workout that brings passion, flair and fun to your living room – and promises to tone your entire body. Bonus.

Created by a fully fledged Latin ballroom dancing professional, Laana Kunitz, the Figure 8 workout has been popular for years, and fitness fans are still loving it.

So how does it actually work? Well, all you need is access to YouTube and a bit of clear floor space in your living room or your bedroom, and you can let your inner Latin spirit fly free.

Although it’s dancing – the key focus of this workout is your core. Your abdominal muscles. So if you’re after a six-pack or a flatter tummy, this could be a good place to start.

It incorporates three-dimensional core exercises that target your core muscles, all of them, from your transverse abdominis, rectus abdominis, internal oblique, external oblique, and even your back.

The workout has your core working forwards, backwards, rotational, and side-to-side to really engage those muscles that are difficult to target.

But, unlike a brutal set of crunches, you won’t even realise that you’re working your core because you’ll be so distracted by the music, the movement, and getting the steps right. That is the beauty of dance.

The Figure 8 name comes from the movement that you make with your hips during the workout – they swing side to side like a pendulum, you circle your spine, then your hips hit invisible corners while you rotate your core.

‘Use your obliques to pump your hip corner and take it back,’ explains Laana in one of her YouTube videos. She then adds the footwork, and once you’ve got the core movement down, you’ll be feeling the benefits in no time.

What are the benefits of Figure 8 Fitness?

You can do it from home

It’s an incredibly accessible workout because you can do it from home at a time that suits you – so you don’t have to lug your gym kit to work or get up at 5.30am to run to the gym.

It’s ideal if you have young children or travel a lot with work – you can even do it in a hotel room on your summer holiday.

It’s simple

You don’t have to be a professional Latin dancer to get your head around these moves. Even if you’re lacking in natural rhythm, you’ll be able to keep in step because it’s really pretty basic.

No complicated equipment or weights are needed, and you don’t have to be really fit either – anyone at any stage of their fitness journey will be able to give it a try.

You have access to support

When you sign up to Figure 8 Fitness, it means you will also have access to the Facebook group for members, so you can chat to other enthusiasts and ask any questions you might have about the programme.

Stronger stomach muscles

If you’re aiming for abs, but don’t like crunches or sit-ups, this workout is ideal. Tone your core muscles without having to do endless, punishing moves – Laana even calls this workout a ‘tradmill for your abs’.

Overall fitness

As well as being an effective standing core workout, Figure 8 will also get your heart pumping and burn calories.

The key thing to remember is to just keep going.If you’re struggling with a particular step – who cares? You’re in you’re living room! Improvise and keep your feet moving.