Mel C is always impressing her followers with workouts that transform her body shape and amp up her fitness – even on hot, heatwave days. Now, she’s taking her workout outdoors in preparation for her tour – not only getting stronger, but also benefitting from a flood of natural light and fresh air.

On Instagram, she shared a post wearing a sunhat and sunglasses, using a beach-side, outdoor gym – and convenient nearby bench for a series of perfect press-ups. Mel performs a series of challenging strength moves including leg lifts, single leg squats as well as press-ups – but despite the heat, stays cool, calm and collected throughout.

‘Working out alfresco brings with it plenty of benefits and can take almost any form,’ says GH fitness expert Kim Hawley. ‘Whether it’s power walking, tennis, jogging or, as Mel demonstrates, strength training, the best workout is the one you’re actually enjoy doing because then you will keep doing it. As an added bonus you also get fresh air, natural light and a welcome break from the four walls of the gym and queuing for the treadmill.’

Many parks now have free fitness equipment including benches, balance beams, pull-up bars and parallel bars – but if there isn’t an outdoor gym near you, there’s no problem, says Kim. ‘You don’t need equipment to get a great workout. A good old park bench is enough. Use it for push-ups, Bulgarian split squats (perfectly demonstrated by Mel in the clip), triceps dips and step-ups; just try to avoid muddy trainers if you don’t want to make yourself unpopular!

Mel’s workout is intense but it doesn’t have to be – try this simple full-body circuit:

• 1 minute of star jumps
• 1 minute of push-ups
• 1 minute of jogging (on the spot or around the park)
• 1 minute of squats
• 1 minute of triceps dips

Repeat the circuit four times, resting for 30 seconds between rounds if needed.

In the summer heat, I’d recommend doing this first thing in the morning or later in the evening, choosing a shady bench – and finishing with plenty of water’ This is a simple full-body workout that costs nothing more than a trip to your local park… just bypass the ice cream van on the way out!’