The miniskirt is back. You can deal with this fact in one of two ways: You can cover your legs, ignore it and hope it goes away. Or you can put your best leg forward. If you'd like to do the latter, then it's time to shake a leg and get in shape.

Use this easy-to-follow and effective routine to get all those muscles south of your belly button mini-ready in the shortest time possible. You'll find leg-chiseling sculpting, cardio and stretching moves that can be done at the gym, outdoors and at home. Stick with one locale or mix and match our recommended exercises to suit your lifestyle. For instance, you could do your sculpting exercises at the health club, your cardio in the park and your stretching in the comfort of your living room. Make sure you check out our training secrets and suggestions, too, so you get a complete leg up on your leg training before the weather warms up and the hemlines drift upward.

Sculpting Moves

AT THE GYM

Leg press machine
(Works your butt and thighs, front and back)

1. Set the machine so that when you lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the foot plate, your shoulders fit snugly under the shoulder pads and your knees are bent to an inch or so below parallel to the foot plate. Place your feet as wide as your hips with your toes pointing forward and your heels directly behind your toes. Grasp the handles. Pull your abdominals in and keep your head and neck on the back pad.

2. Pressing through your heels, push against the platform until your legs are straight. Then bend your knees until your thighs are parallel with the platform and the weight plates you are lifting are hovering just above the weight stack.

Leg extension machine
(Works your front-of-thigh muscles)

1. Set the machine so that your back sits comfortably against the back rest, the center of your knee is lined up with the machine's pulley, and your shins are flush against the ankle pads. (On most machines you can move the back rest forward and back and the ankle pads up and down.) Sit down and swing your legs around so that your knees are bent and the tops of your shins are resting against the underside of the ankle pads. Hold onto the handles. Sit up tall and pull your abdominals in.

2. Straighten your legs to lift the ankle bar until your knees are straight. Hold for a second at the top position, and then slowly bend your knees.

Leg curl machine
(Works your back-of-thigh muscles)

1. Set the ankle pads of the machine so that when you lie on your stomach, the undersides of the pads are flush with the tops of your heels. Lie down, rest the side of your face on the support pad, and grasp the handles. Gently flex your feet. Pull your abdominals in and tuck your hips down so that your hip bones press into the pad.

2. Bend your knees to lift the ankle bar until your calves are perpendicular to the floor. Then slowly straighten your legs.

Inner-thigh machine
(Works your inner-thigh muscles)

1. Set the machine so that the leg mechanisms are comfortably apart and the knee and ankle pads are rotated to the inside. Sit up tall in the seat, and bend your knees so that they rest against the thigh pads and the insides of your ankles rest against the ankle pads. If there's a seat belt, wear it to help keep you from popping out of the machine. Pull your abdominals in and sit up tall.

2. Press your knees inward until you feel tension in your inner thighs. Hold the position for a moment, and then slowly allow your legs to move apart once again.

Outer-thigh machine
(Works your outer-thigh muscles)

1. Set the machine so that the leg mechanisms are together and the knee and ankle pads are rotated to the outside. Sit up tall in the seat, and bend your knees so that they rest against the thigh pads and the outsides of your ankles rest against the ankle pads. If there's a seat belt, wear it to help keep you from popping out of the machine. Pull your abdominals in and sit up tall.

2. Press your knees outward until you feel tension in your outer thighs and sides of hips. Hold the position for a moment, and then slowly allow your legs to move inward once again.

Standing calf-raise machine
(Works your calf muscles)

1. Stand tall in the machine so that your shoulders are securely beneath the shoulder pads and your heels are hanging off the edge of the foot platform. Keep your back straight, abs pulled inward and knees locked.

2. Raise up on your tiptoes as high as you can go. Hold a moment and lower your heels back down past the start and below the platform so that you feel a good stretch throughout the length of your calf. Hold a moment before moving into the next repetition.

OUTDOORS

Traveling lunge
(Works your butt, thighs and calves)

1. Stand tall with your feet hip width apart, arms bent at right angles at your sides.

2. Leading with your heel, step your right foot forward about a stride's length in front of you. As your foot touches the ground, bend both knees until your right thigh is parallel to the floor and your left thigh is perpendicular to it. Swing your left arm up until your hand is level with your breastbone to help direct the movement. Now repeat with your right leg and keep alternating legs so that you move forward with each repetition.

Plié Squat
(Works your butt and thighs, particularly inner thighs)

1. Stand tall with your feet about two feet wider than hip width apart and your toes angled outward. Place your hands on your hips or up and out in front of you for balance.

2. While maintaining good posture, bend your knees until your thighs are parallel to the floor. Don't allow your knees to move forward of your toes. Hold a moment and return to the start.

Stand and curl
(Works your back-of-thigh muscles)

1. Stand tall with your feet straddled about a stride's length apart. Bend your front knee slightly and lift your back heel up so that you are balanced on your pointed toe. Place your hands on your hips and pull your abs inward.

2. Curl the back leg up by bending your knee and moving your heel towards your buttocks. Lower to the start. Repeat all reps before switching legs.

Leg Sweeps
(Works your inner-thigh muscles)

1. Stand tall with your feet hip width apart and hands on hips. Pull your abdominals inward. Lift your right heel off the ground so that you are balanced on your right toe.

2. Keeping your toe pointed, sweep your right leg up and across your body as high as you feel comfortable. Hold a moment at the top of the movement before lowering to the start. Complete all reps before repeating the exercise with the left leg.

Step Outs
(Works your butt and thighs -- particularly outer thighs)

1. Stand tall with your feet hip width apart and your hands on your hips.

2. Step out to the side about a stride's length and, as your foot makes contact with the ground, bend your knees until your thighs are parallel to the ground. Don't let your knees travel over your toes.

3. Push up off your outside foot to return to the start and then repeat the same move to the other side. Alternate sides until you have completed all reps.

Running Calf Raises
(Works your calves)

1. Lean against a tree, post or some other sturdy object with your legs out behind you and your pressing your palms firmly into the surface for stability. Lift up your right heel and bend your right knee.

2. Straighten your right knee and press your heel into the ground as you bend your left knee and lift your left heel off the ground. Continue this running-like motion until you have completed all reps.

AT HOME

Lunge
(Works your butt, front and back of thighs and calves)

1. Stand with your feet as wide as your hips and your weight back a little on your heels, and place your hands on your hips. Pull your abdominals in and stand up tall with square shoulders.

2. Lift your right toe slightly and, leading with your heel, step your right foot forward about a stride's length, as if you're trying to step over a crack on the sidewalk. As your foot touches the floor, bend both knees until your right thigh is parallel to the floor and your left thigh is perpendicular to it. Your left heel will lift off the floor. Press off the ball of your foot and step back to the standing position.

Quad press
(Works your front-of-thigh muscles)

1. Roll up a bath towel. Sit on the floor and lean against a wall with your legs straight out in front of you. (Or bend the non-working knee into your chest if that's more comfortable.) Place the towel underneath the well of your right knee.

2. Squeeze your quadriceps tightly and press down on the towel. Hold for five slow counts, relax, and repeat until you complete the set. Then switch legs.

Kneeling leg curl
(Works your back-of-thigh muscles)

1. Kneel on your elbows and knees on a mat or thick towel, with your knees directly under your hips and your elbows directly under your shoulders. Clasp your hands together or turn your palms toward the floor. Flex your right foot so that it is perpendicular to the floor. Keeping your knee bent, lift your right leg and raise your knee up to hip level. Tilt your chin slightly toward your chest and pull your abdominals in so your back doesn't sag.

2. Straighten your leg and then bend your knee. Complete all of the repetitions with one leg before switching sides.

Inner thigh lift
(Works your inner-thigh muscles)

1. Roll up a bath towel (or use a step aerobics platform). Lie on your right side with your head resting on your outstretched arm. Bend your left leg and rest your knee on top of the rolled towel so that your knee is level with your hip and your top hip is directly over your bottom hip. Place your left hand on the floor in front of your chest for support. Pull your abdominals in.

2. Lift your bottom (right) leg a few inches off the floor. Pause briefly at the top of the movement, and slowly lower your leg back down. Switch sides and do the same number of repetitions with your left leg.

Outer thigh lift
(Works your outer thigh muscles)

1. Lie on the floor on your left side with your legs a few inches in front of you, knees bent slightly, and head resting on your outstretched arm. Bend your right arm and place your palm on the floor in front of your chest for support. Align your right hip directly over your left hip and pull your abdominals in so your back isn't arched.

2. Keeping your knee slightly bent, raise your right leg until your foot reaches shoulder height. Then slowly lower your leg back down. Switch sides and do the same number of repetitions with your left leg.

Standing calf raise
(Works your calf muscles)