This move targets the whole posterior chain of muscles from your calves to your upper back, including your hamstrings and glutes. It also hits the quads and core, and because there are so many muscles involved it prompts the endocrine system to release muscle growth hormone into your blood.

Bevan Viljoen, personal trainer at LA Fitness in London's Piccadilly, offers his deadlift tips…

• ‘Keep the bar close to your shins as you lift it, and then to your hips, to make sure that you are generating force vertically and not sending it horizontally into your lower back.’

• ‘Make sure you’re breathing regularly by exhaling forcefully as you lift and inhaling continuously while you lower the bar.’

• ‘Brace your deep core muscles by tensing your abs, and keep them braced throughout the exercise.’

• ‘The lift isn’t finished until you draw back your shoulders at the top of the move to fully engage the upper back muscles.’