Poor posture and lower back pain are often the result of a lack of core strength in our torsos. While many strength training routines focus on muscles that are visible, such as the abs, a more rounded routine including back strengthening exercises will also target the deeper abdominal muscles, such as the transverse abdominis, as well as other muscles used to support the torso and hold the spine erect. These include the hips, pelvis and ribs, as well as the more obvious muscles, such as lower back, abs and shoulder blades.

Part of the problem relates to our modern lifestyle, in which we're given little opportunity to participate in activities that naturally activate the core muscles, as we spend rather more time at a desk at work, driving or watching TV. All these promote a poor posture, slumped in front of the computer with no thought at all for how we are sitting.

However exercise can help - just think of how straight professional dancers stand, as does anyone who has practiced yoga for any length of time. Both of these activities are excellent for strengthening the core muscles and therefore improving posture and reducing the chances of suffering back pain.

While becoming conscious of our posture is certainly a good step in the right direction, we do need to start to build up our core strength. Dance and yoga are two ways, and Pilates can also be beneficial; but there are also a number of exercises we can practice either at home or in the gym to build up our core strength.

These include the Pelvic Tilt, Russian Twist, Swiss Ball Crunch and Back Extension.

Pelvic Tilt

Lie on a mat with your knees bend, feet flat on the floor and arms to your sides. Tighten your stomach as you push your lower back into the floor and tighten your hips and thighs to pull slightly forward the pubic bone - the movement should be very slight. Hold for 5 seconds and relax. Repeat 5-20 times.

Russian Twist

This is quite a tough exercise to do, but well worth it for the benefits to your core muscles. Sit on an exercise mat with your legs bent and feet on the floor. Lean back until your torso is about 45 degrees to the floor and hold both arms our straight from your body. Slowly twist your body as far as you can to the right and hold briefly, before twisting all the way to the left. Repeat the entire movement 5-10 times.

Swiss Ball Crunch

Performing crunches on a Swiss ball means you also activate your core muscles to help stabilise you on the balll. To perform this exercise, lie on a Swiss ball with your feet flat on the floor. With your hands held beside your head - not clasped behind your neck - tighten your abs and roll your head and chest forward. Hold for a couple of seconds and relax. Repeat for 10-20 reps.

Back Extension

The Back Extension is another subtle movement that targets the lats. To do it lie face down on a mat with your hands held to the side of your head. Tighten your stomach and activate your lower back so that your chest lifts a few inches off the floor. Hold and release. Repeat for 10-20 reps.