There's a common belief—or myth, rather—that if you want to tone your legs and boost your butt, you should devote all your energy to squats and leg lifts of every kind. The problem: While you'll build sleek muscle (score!), no one will notice if it's hidden under a layer of body fat. (Search: Foods that burn fat)

To reveal a slimmer bottom half, you need to add a fat-burning total-body routine to those targeted moves that reshape your hips, thighs, and butt. Luckily for you, we've got both right here! Stick to these workouts and you'll be shimmying into those skinny jeans with ease in no time. (Related: Find out why skinny jeans are good for your heart!)

Get your leg-focused Blast Your Lower Half workout right here (the four exercises above will work wonders on your legs!) and then check out the Slim Down All Over workout to tackle your total body.

The Best Exercises You're Not Doing

Blast Your Lower Half
Perform this workout once or twice a week: Starting with the first exercise, slowly complete five reps (it should take about 10 seconds per rep: five up, five down). Continue until you've done every exercise. Do two to four total circuits, switching sides (when necessary) every other set. Increase the challenge by adding a resistance band loop around your ankles or thighs for each move.

Side Leg Raise

Step 1

Step 2

Lie on your left side, rest your head on your left arm, and place your right hand on the floor in front of your chest. Your legs should be straight with your right leg on top of your left leg.
Without moving any other part of your body, slowly raise your right leg as high as you can. Pause, then return to the starting position.

This move works:
Hips, Inner Thighs

Photo Credit: MCKIBILLO

Clamshell

Step 1

Step 2

Lie on your left side with your hips and knees bent 45 degrees. Stack your right leg on top of your left leg, heels together.
Keeping your feet together and left leg on the floor, raise your right knee as high as you can without your heels coming apart. Pause, then return to the starting position.

This move works:
Glutes, Hamstrings, Hips

Photo Credit: MCKIBILLO

Hip Raise

Step 1

Step 2

Lie faceup on the floor with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor.
Squeeze your glutes and press into your heels to raise your hips until your body forms a straight line from your shoulders to your knees. Pause, then slowly lower back to the starting position. That's one rep.

This move works:
Core, Glutes, Hamstrings, Hips, Lower Back

Photo Credit: MCKIBILLO

Cross-Body Mountain Climber

Step 1

Step 2

Start at the top of the pushup position, with your body forming a straight line from head to heels.
Keeping your abs braced, pick up your right foot and slowly bring your right knee toward your left shoulder. Then return to start.

Quick Tip Keep your back flat throughout the exercise. (Only your leg should move.)

This move works:
Abs, Chest, Core, Hamstrings, Hips, Lower Back, Obliques, Quadriceps, Shoulders, Upper Back

Photo Credit: MCKIBILLO

Leaner Legs, Tighter Butt

Side Leg Raise

Clamshell

Hip Raise

Cross-Body Mountain Climber