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Workouts to make you stand out in short shorts

By Daisy Carrington, amNewYork Deputy Features Editor | dcarrington@am-ny.com

May 21, 2008

Step 2 of the "Pilates Side Kick Series-2" exercise of the "Show off your Daisy Dukes" workout, demonstrated by Center for Movement trainer Elle Jardim. (Dennis W. Ho / May 20, 2008)

If you've been into a department store lately, you've probably noticed that short shorts are slated to be all the rage this season. While this may be good news for some of the guys out there who are in store for a summer's worth of eye-candy, it's a little daunting for us ladies.

Fortunately, Elle Jardim, a trainer at the Upper East Side pilates studio Center for Movement, has devised a workout to get you looking hot in your new Daisy Ddukes.

1. Bent knee leg lift Support your head with your arm and lie on your side with your knees together and bent, as if you are sitting in a chair. Keep your hips stacked. Lift your top leg a few inches, then lower it. Do 10 reps.

2. Diamond legs When finished with the bent knee leg lifts, stay in the same position you were in, only keep your heels together and open your top knee, so that your legs form a diamond shape, then bring your knees together. Do 10 reps, making sure to not rock backwards.

3. Classic leg lifts Now lift your top leg and extend it forward. Lower and lift your extended leg 10 times.

4. Scissors Unfold your legs at a 45 degree angle in front of your body. Lift your top leg up and swing it to the front of your body, then to the back of your body, without letting your body move. Repeat 10 times.

5. Butt kicks Move onto your stomach and lie straight in one long line. Rest your forehead on your hands and keep your elbows bent out to the side. Keep your abdominals engaged. Lift both of your legs a few inches off the ground and begin to beat your heels and inner thighs together briskly. Repeat 20 times.