While physicians and fitness folks emphasize that there's no such thing as spot reducing, spot toning is possible. We asked Eric Okamura, owner of Fit for Life, who is also a certified personal trainer and massage therapist, for some exercises that will help achieve shapely legs.

He said it's neither necessary nor desirable to exercise obsessively — or excessively — to get great gams. He recommends these four exercises, with the leg curl being optional in case you don't have a stability ball. Rest between each set for 45 seconds to one minute. For each exercise, start with one set of 15 and build up to three to four sets of 20.

• Squats: Works the entire lower body. Place a bar on your shoulders. (If you don't have a bar, or broomstick, simply hold your arms in front of you at shoulder height.) Place legs shoulder width apart, with weight evenly balanced on both legs and at the center of the foot. Keep your abdominals tight by pressing your belly button towards your spine. Lower your body until the top of your thigh is parallel to the floor. Be sure to keep your knees above your toes and not in front of them. Stand up and tighten the butt and thigh muscles. Breathe in going down and out going up.

• Reverse lunges: Good for overall lower body workout: glutes, thighs, lower back, hamstrings and abs. Keeping your abs tight, lunge backwards until the top of your front thigh is parallel to the floor. Keep your knee above your toes, not in front of them. Weight should be on the center of the foot of your front leg. Keep as little weight as possible on your back foot. From the front view, the spine is perpendicular to the floor. Stand up using the front leg only (no pushing off the back leg). Tighten the butt and thigh muscles of the front leg. Breathe in going down and breathe out going up.

• Heel raises: Good for shaping calves. Place feet directly under your hips. Raise up on your toes and hold the pose for one second, keeping your weight on your big toes. Exhale on the way up and inhale on the way down.