Even in the busiest gyms the oddly shaped E-Z bar usually sits idle because people don't know what to do with it. But if you need to hit the gym for a time-saving, fat-burning workout that uses only a single piece of kit, consider the E-Z bar your new best friend.

These bars are designed to be kinder to bicep-curling wrists than straight bars but the shape also makes the bar shorter and easier to handle from any angle, increasing its versatility. And those wrist-friendly bends also make the E-Z bar great for exercises that involve putting the bar behind you.

Do this E-Z bar circuit twice a week to burn fat and increase muscle tone from some unusual angles. After four weeks you'll have mastered another piece of exercise equipment and have a slimmer, leaner body to show for it.

How to do this workout

Select an E-Z bar and test the weight. Either leave it unweighted or add some light weight plates. Stand near to a bench and an exercise mat. Remember you're crunching calories rather than building muscles in this workout.

Perform the exercises in order, taking no rest between stations. Once you've completed one circuit, rest for two to three minutes before going again. You should complete at least two circuits. Leave at least one day between workouts.

Start
Warm up gently with ten minutes on the treadmill.

Warm down
End with some light cardio and stretches.