Gordon Brown may have an indoor rowing machine on his wish list this Christmas after taking up a new fitness training regime.

The Prime Minister was recently spotted out jogging in a central London park with a personal minder in tow.

He follows in the footsteps of US President Barack Obama and French President Nicolas Sarkozy, both of whom have been seen pounding the pavement in an attempt to keep fit.

However, while health experts have applauded his decision to get fit, they have questioned whether he has chosen the best method.

"Jogging is a high impact activity which places a great deal of stress on joints, often creating knee, hip and lower back problems," person fitness trainer Kirsten de Bouter told the Telegraph.

Ms de Bouter added that while running is a good way to get fit and lose weight it is best when combined with proper stretching and resistance training.

Mr Brown might then consider varying runs with sessions on an air resistance indoor rower, which offers a low-impact workout which is highly effective at burning fat.