Tired of the gym? Trainer points to a 'hugely effective' alternative to help reach your goals

The approach is being championed by experts such as personal trainer Carly Harvey as an optimal way to boost heart health and longevity.

"VILPA is hugely effective in comparison to workouts when trying to improve cardiovascular health and longevity," she told GB News, adding that it is also significantly easier to stick with than traditional gym sessions.

Carly explained that maintaining a regular workout routine proves challenging for many people juggling demanding lives, but daily movement is something everyone already does.

The concept involves making everyday movements more vigorous, so you can reap the rewards without carving out extra time in your diary.

"Taking the stairs & speed walking up and down them rather than an elevator or lift, carrying smaller loads of washing upstairs at a quicker speed to increase movement & heart rate are just a couple of examples of how VILPA can be incorporated without needing any extra time," Carly shared

It is about transforming mundane tasks into mini fitness opportunities that get your heart pumping throughout the day.

And if you are wondering whether you're pushing yourself hard enough for these bursts to count as VILPA, the key is to trust what your body is telling you.

Carly explained: "You can tell if you're working hard enough simply by your feelings; you need to be getting out of breath, heart pumping & body warming. RPE scale 7 to 9 out of 10 effort."

Essentially, your regular daily activities need to become intense enough that your body works significantly harder for brief periods, rather than coasting through at your usual pace.

However, Carly cautioned VILPA is not suitable for everyone straight away.

"People who have a history of heart conditions, suffer with dizziness, joint or tendon injuries, and those who have lived a very sedentary lifestyle should be cautious of incorporating VILPA into their lives," she said.

"I would recommend easing into it at a slower rate to keep them safe and avoid injuries."

For those in these categories, a gradual introduction to more intense daily movement is the safest path forward.