Bikini weather has finally arrived; spurring our annual pilgrimage to bag the hottest beachwear on the high street, and a renewed commitment to our fitness regime so we look and feel great once we’ve got it. With #fitspiration a constant reminder of the shapes we aspire to, who better to provide their tips to help you get there than a glamorous athlete with a killer physique and not just one, but two Olympic gold medals under her belt?

English track and road cyclist Laura Trott has seven titles to her name; making her the most successful rider (male or female) in European Track Championship history. That kind of accomplishment only comes from dedicated training and practiced knowledge of how to fuel your body right. To help you harness what she knows, we’ve gone behind the scenes to find out Laura’s top tips to a winning workout routine…

• Goal guidance

“Set yourself realistic goals and visualise where you want to get to,” she advises. “If you have unrealistic expectations, you’re setting yourself up for failure.”

It can help to structure your goals into phases too – for example, extending your run for two minutes every week. If you consistently do this, you’ll be running 10km before you know it!

• What to choose

“Listen to your instincts. A fitness programme should be designed to improve your overall wellbeing, so choose something that you really enjoy,” says Laura. “Be it Zumba classes, spinning or jogging around the block, it’s all about listening to your body and doing something that’s fun and makes you happy.”

She continues, “It also helps to mix things up so keep it varied by trying new exercise classes, eating a varied diet or working out with new instructors.”

Heeding Laura’s advice will not only improve your focus and motivation, it also helps to make exercise more interesting and encourages you to step out of your comfort zone.

• Keep it up

While you may be bursting with motivation at the beginning, sustaining your programme can be a challenge. Keeping track of your progress is Laura’s top tip.

“It’s so motivating to see yourself improving and getting fitter,” she says of her past experience. “Documenting your workouts means you can assess your development and identify any areas for improvement. There are apps that can help you do this too.”

The accomplished athlete also suggests making exercise a part of your daily routine (e.g. cycling to work), and turning fitness into a social occasion. “It can really help to have a workout buddy so that you can encourage each other,” she explains. “Plus you get to spend quality time with a friend!”

• Fuel it right

Staying hydrated is important at any time, but in warm weather and during workouts, it is particularly key; “You can lose up to a litre of water an hour while exercising so it’s fundamental to keep your fluid levels topped up.”

Nutrition also plays a huge role. As well as protein to help build lean muscle mass, you need a balance of ‘clean’ carbohydrates, healthy fats, vitamins and minerals to fuel your body for both workouts and recovery.

However, depriving your taste buds of their favourite flavours is a one-way ticket to your dietary downfall. Laura’s easy-to-follow tip of “choosing the right foods that you enjoy” involves experimenting and preparing healthy foods in different ways to find how you like them best.

‘Cheating clean’ is also a great way to stay motivated. “I love Ohso probiotic Belgian chocolate for a delicious, daily treat,” admits Laura. “It’s clinically proven to be three times more effective at delivering good bacteria to the gut than milk-based probiotic products.”

• The experts know best

No matter how many classes you go to, compiling your own workout and doing it safely is something that can only really come from a certified fitness instructor.

Laura adds, “It’s helpful to have a consultation with a professional trainer who can assess what workout routine will be the most beneficial for you. It also helps identify your areas for development so you can hone in on them to improve your overall fitness and strength.”

Whether you’ve just decided to make a change or are already seeing results, it all comes down to dedication, hard work and a tailored approach that’s right for you. Nothing comes easy; so make a commitment to your regime, and stick to it! Your holiday photos will thank you…