PIPPA Middleton’s figure – especially her derriere – made her the envy of millions of women when she walked down the aisle at the royal wedding. Her posterior even has her own Facebook fan page.

Her shape is reportedly due to regular sessions of Pilates, a form of exercise which emphasises the balanced development of the body through core strength and flexibility and promotes graceful posture.

Its array of celebrity devotees include Oscar-winner Kate Winslet who says her 20-minute daily Pilates workouts have recently helped her tone and slim, while Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer Lopez and Rachel Weisz also sing the praises of the regime.

Actress Felicity Kendal, 64, showcased her impressive flexibility on last year’s Strictly Come Dancing, when she proved she could literally bend over backwards thanks to the effects of her intensive Pilates regime.

“As someone who’s always ‘on the go’ Pilates has been a wonderful escape from my busy lifestyle in London,” Pippa, 26, reportedly said recently.

“Over the past few months I’ve noticed a huge difference in my core strength and posture.

“From breathing techniques, muscle toning to overall flexibility and relaxation, the Pilates sessions have become something of a weekly necessity that keeps me fit, happy and energised.”

While the discipline is excellent for toning, it doesn’t provide cardiovascular fitness, so party planner Pippa teams the classes with workouts including swimming, jogging and tennis.

Lynne Robinson, Pilates instructor at Chelsea Football Club, is the author of the Pilates Bible, £18.99 and Pilates For Weight Loss, £12.99, both of which feature illustrated step-by-step moves and are available from Kyle Cathie at kylecathie.co.uk Take your pick of a range of Pilates products at QVC: an Introduction To Pilates DVD For The True Beginner, £21.25 or another which includes useful kit, the Pilates Spacemate Portable Pilates Gym In A Bag with resistance cords, mat & DVD, £44. Contact 0800 504 030 or qvcuk.com

Quick Calorie Burners

IF you want to follow Pippa Middleton’s example – swimming and jogging, and playing tennis regularly – or would just like to be generally more active it’s motivating to know how many calories you can burn off in a session.

Author Alex Buckley reveals what you can burn off in even a short session of activity in his book, Ssh! Lose Weight in 20 Minutes (£9.99, MX Publishing).

A 20-minute session of swimming can burn off 150 kcals, he says, while the same period spent jogging shifts 130kcals; tennis: 144; gardening: 106; dancing: 90; walking: 70; playing pool: 66; cleaning windows: 56; and ironing: 30.

Tried and Tested

IT’S essential to get enough fluid so we don’t dehydrate, particularly in the heat of summer. But with the vast range of drinks around, all promising different benefits, making a choice can be a sweat. Sarah Marshall tests two.

What are they?

Kulau Coconut Water is certified organic and free from additives.

ROK Natural Energy claims to be an energy booster drink containing only 100 per cent natural ingredients such as lychee and grape juice as well as health-boosting botanicals.

What are they like?

With a busy lifestyle, often eating on the go, I’m always on the hunt for drinks that aren’t merely thirst-quenching but also give me a boost.

I particularly liked ROK Natural Energy, which was a useful pick-me-up when I experienced those mid-afternoon energy slumps.

It avoids the sickly sweet taste of many other energy drinks on the market, so I didn’t experience a ‘sugar rush’ and the resulting crash.

Ingredients include natural caffeine, guarana, ginseng and ginkgo biloba.

Coconut water has long been a favourite healthy tipple enjoyed by celebrities, as it is a natural drink full of electrolytes, and is considered free of fat and cholesterol. Kulau Coconut Water comes in three flavours: Pure with a nutty flavour, Renew with added pomegranate, and Relax with elderflower.

These are delicious and an alternative to fizzy, sweet drinks which can pile on the calories.

• ROK Natural Energy is £2.50 for 330ml bottle: for stockists visit rokenergy.com Kulau Coconut Water is £2.65 for a 330ml carton, ethicallyessential.coop.