Pilates may have originally been created as a form of physical therapy [1], but many of us love it for its ability to tone our physique. Though it's known to help build core strength [2], Pilates can also help sculpt the booty with a few focused exercises. To find out exactly which moves are best for this goal, Pilates instructor and owner of Real Pilates [3] studios Alycea Ungaro created a Pilates butt workout for POPSUGAR that she recommends doing three to four times per week.

See each move broken down ahead!

Shoulder Bridge

• Lie flat on your mat with knees bent and feet flat, hip-width apart.
• Press your hips up to create a straight line from shoulders to knees.
• Hold for 15 seconds. Lower the hips and repeat.
• Extend one leg up and repeat the move standing on just one leg.
• Hold for 15 seconds, then switch.
• Hug both knees into your chest.
• Complete one to two sets of each variation.

Form check: Try not to overarch your back. When extending one leg, keep your hips level.
Modification: Stick with the first part and hold progressively longer. Work up to one minute.

Wall Chair

• Stand against a wall with your feet two steps in front of you.
• Align your spine from head to tail firmly against the wall.
• Slide down the wall until you make a chair shape with your body. Keep your arms down by your sides.
• Hold for 30 seconds.
• Repeat with your arms straight out in front of you.
• Repeat once more and attempt to extend one leg out in front of you.

Form check: Keep your back and hips fully pressed to the wall and your legs aligned. Your knees, heels, and toes should all be in a straight line.

Grasshopper

• Lie face down on your mat with your head on your hands and legs together in one long line.
• Squeeze both legs up off the mat.
• Keeping the thighs high off the mat, bend the knees so your heels come in toward the glutes.
• Straighten the legs back out even higher.
• Lower the legs.
• Complete four to six sets.

Form check: Keep your abs lifted and avoid hunching the shoulders.
Modification: Try the exercises with your legs apart.

Cross-Legged Squat

• Begin standing with your arms stacked on top of each other.
• Take one foot behind the other and perch on the ball of the foot.
• Begin bending both knees, lowering the hips as though you mean to sit on the floor.
• Go to your lowest point and return to the top smoothly.
• Complete six to eight reps on each leg.

Form check: Keep your torso upright — don't lean forward.
Modification: Find a chair or counter and place both hands securely to provide better balance.