Sculpt Your Trouble Zones for Summer

You love summer, with one exception -- putting on a bathing suit. It's bad enough you have to go through the agony of buying one, let alone wearing it. Not this summer, though. You're going to bare that body with confidence, thanks to the following workout designed by Violet Zaki, fitness instructor at Equinox in New York City and creator of the Weight Loss: Cardio Kick and Weight Loss: Cardio Sculpt DVDs.

Just eight moves will help you sculpt your top trouble spots. The bonus? "Most of the moves target more than one muscle group, which will up the calorie burn," Zaki said.

Plus, we'll help you choose the swimwear that will flatter your shape best. Cyla Weiner, owner of women's lingerie and swimwear store Sylene of Washington in Chevy Chase, Md., shared her secrets for making each of these trouble spots look good in a bathing suit.

"There's a suit that will make every woman look fabulous," said Weiner. So, what are you waiting for? Give this program a try, and summer really could be your favorite time of year, bathing suit and all.

The workout: Choose your most troublesome body part and add those exercises to your program, or for head-to-toe conditioning, do all eight. Repeat the exercises three to four times a week on non-consecutive days, doing three sets of each exercise. (Note: You'll need a set of three to five-pound hand weights.) Then do all eight exercises, which will work your body from head to toe.

Trouble Zone 1: Arms
Single shoulder press with leg abduction
Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, holding a weight in each hand. Lift weights to shoulders, palms facing away from you. Contract abs. Transfer weight to right leg, keeping slight bend in right knee. Press right arm straight overhead as you lift left leg to side, flexing foot and lifting as high as you can without sacrificing posture, for two counts. Lower for two counts and repeat eight times. Switch sides and repeat.

Four-point push-up
Get on the floor in plank position, body in one long line supported only by feet and hands, hands directly under shoulders. Contracting abs, lower knees to floor, then lower chest toward floor until it's about an inch or two from floor, push chest back up and lift knees up. Hold plank for four counts. Repeat four times.

Swimsuit secret: If you're uncomfortable exposing your arms, find a sleeved cover-up that matches your suit. Button-down shirt styles and printed tunics are great options.


Trouble Zone 2: Abs
Seated bicep scoops
Sit on floor with knees bent, feet on floor. Contracting abs, lift feet off floor and lean torso back slightly. Hold a weight in each hand, arms extended down by sides and palms facing out. Keeping elbows tight to body, slowly lift weights toward shoulders. Release to start and repeat eight times.

Quadruped with elbow-to-knee touch
Kneel on floor and place hands flat on floor so your back is flat. Contract abs and keep head in line with spine. Lift right arm straight out in front of you to shoulder height. At the same time, extend left leg behind you and lift it to hip height. Bend left knee and move it toward chest while moving right elbow toward knee. Release to start and repeat with opposite arm and leg. Continue alternating 12 times on each side.

Swimsuit secret: Draw the eyes away from your midsection by wearing a suit with a v-neck or pattern near the neckline. Ruching detail around the waistline will also help to cinch you in.


Trouble Zone 3: Thighs
Alternating deadlift with curtsey squat
Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent and arms to sides. Bending from hips, lower torso until it's parallel to floor. Release to start. Now step left leg behind your right foot and bend knees into curtsey, lowering until right thigh is almost parallel with floor. Keep right knee behind toes. Return to start and repeat, this time curtseying on the opposite side. Repeat 10 times on each side.

Moving plie
Stand with feet hip-width apart, toes pointed to ten o'clock and two o'clock. Place hands on hips. Step a foot or two to the right, bending knees and lowering into squat. Keep knees in line with ankles, toes turned out, abs contracted and back straight. Step feet together and push back to start without locking knees. Repeat by stepping to your left and continue alternating 12 times on each side.

Swimsuit secret: Look for a suit that's cut high on the legs. "It makes your thigh area look thinner and your legs longer, giving you the appearance of being thinner," Weiner said.


Trouble zone 4: Butt
Donkey kick
Kneel on floor and place hands flat on floor so body forms a tabletop, wrists under shoulders. Keeping head in line with spine and contracting abs, lift right knee to hip level. Release to start and repeat eight times. Do another eight, this time bringing right knee to left heel. Switch legs and repeat.

Bridge with knee to chest
Lie face up on floor with feet flat on floor, feet hip-distance apart and arms to sides. Bend right knee and hug it toward chest, placing hands on shin. From this position, lift hips up two counts until body forms diagonal from chest to knees. Hold two counts. Lower four counts. Switch legs and repeat, alternating 10 times on each side.

Swimsuit secret: Opt for a skirted suit or tankini with a printed top and coordinating dark, solid bottom.

Looking for more motivation to get rid of those trouble spots? Find out how to begin an exercise routine.