The word Core (whether in apples or anything else) refers to a centre; so we just as easily say strengthen the centre (ie centre of the body).

You might class it as a Strictly gobbledegook term, but all teachers of dance use it, as much as anything because it is a darn sight easier to explain and remember than all the absolutely correct technical terms of the various parts of the body.

Not just dance teachers; I've heard it used by both tennis and swimming coaches, and a occupational therapist.

I thought other sports trainers would also use the term core, but I've no experience of them so decided to play safe and just stick to dance!

ach jeez, its another aspect of strictly destined to inhabit the goldilocks zone... between 'core' being something that only dance experts, teachers, gurus and the otherwise forum godly can even mouth with any sort of credibility and respect, to something that any old swimming teacher knows about.

when i say 'core', you can be sure its the municipal baths that are evoked, but when the word drops like a pearl from the keyboard of a forum goldilocks read ISTD platinum award, 50 years at the barre at whitelodge and a sabbatical at tanztheatre wuppertal

i wouldn't even mind if the forum goldilocks zone were inhabited by some georgeous blonde in a pair of fetching yellow trousers, a la rachel, but sadly its populated by those more akin to baby jane who could dessicate an entire tropical island at 500 paces and somehow manage to make unit 1 at fukushima daiichi look positively and welcomingly non toxic.

I'm only 36 (37 on Saturday!) but I'm hoping to achieve this in the future!

As for gentle help for one's everyday (non dancing!) core, swimming is pretty good.

My core strength is polishing off the crisps and ice-cream. This is what I tell shareholders of Walkers and Hagen Daz when trying to get staff discount anyway.

Core strength actually has little utility in ballroom dancing. Darcey is actually recommending it for the post-show Fight Club they hold in her dressing room.

I thought that ended when Len refused to fight without a knife?

I don't think most of the contestants can really change how they are in a few months. Someone like Fiona starts the series with poor core strength and will be voted off because of it. I doubt one ballet class or whatever would change much.

A ballet class may help in some cases, but it would certainly need on-going regular classes to make a real difference.

However, the strictly pros will show their celeb partners how to correct their posture - at least for the duration of a dance - and a decent posture will give the impression of a strong core.

happy birthday betty