Banish that fat fast: 9 simple workouts that burn 400 calories

Burning off some unwanted calories needn't be a long slog. These easy workouts will shift around 400 calories a session and not involve you wasting three hours of torture staring at a grey wall in the gym.

Walk it off
That's right - not running - just plain old walking one foot in front of the other. Preferably outdoors to get some good old fashion fresh air.
Going for a brisk walk (at a pace of 3.5 miles an hour) will shift just shy of 300 calories. Add in a few steep hills and and you're on target.

Ramp it up with a run
To achieve more in less time, you have to up the pace. Running for 35 minutes at an average of 6mph will shift those 400 calories (which is about the same as an average slice of cake with icing).

Go for a swim session
Be a water baby and swim lengths at a moderate pace for 50 minutes. In under an hour - you'll have earned enough calories back to eat 100 salted crisps.

Hop, skip & a jump
Skipping with a rope (not just merrily down the street) can burn 400 calories in 20 minutes. Release your inner Rocky.

Reorganise your life
Multitask and re-arrange the furniture in your home. If you tidy and move furniture around for 59 minutes, you'll have burnt off about 400 calories. Why that's the same as two Milky Bars.

Put on an aerobics DVD
Just 30 minutes of busting-a-move with an intense aerobics DVD or fitness class can shift 444 calories - that's just over five 125ml glasses of red wine. Seems a fair trade.

Pretend you're David Beckham
Take up football with your mates and you can shift around 500 calories an hour - if you start a proper team and play competitively, that can rise to about 700 calories an hour.

Go for a bike ride
Dust off your bike and go for a leisurely cycle round - just 60 minutes can get you to that 400 calorie goal.

Get a partner
Playing doubles tennis for an hour can burn 422 calories. That's about the same as one burger.