You remember the scene — that one in Sex and the City [1] when Richard's assistant walks in on Samantha in the shower.

He jumps back — aghast — and responds with a simple, "Wow." Samantha shrugs, crediting her killer physique to a dedicated Pilates routine. I remember that as a pivotal moment in my childhood . . . one of the first times I understood the unstoppable power of a confident woman. And sure, in the end Samantha may have used that scene to trick her boyfriend into saying, "I love you," but let's focus on the female-empowerment bit, shall we?

Whether you're a SATC fan or not, most of us know that Pilates is a standout form of exercise. Like yoga, it strengthens your core while improving flexibility. But like strength training, it has the muscle-boosting benefits you need to look toned. It also just so happens to be the best thing you can do to get that Summer-ready booty. All you need is a magic circle [2], which costs less than $30 on Amazon. Most of these exercises can even be done in the comfort of your own home.

Read on for my favorite glute-improving routine. We might not all be Kim Kardashian [3], but that doesn't mean we can't have a boastful backside.

One-­Legged Squats

• Hold the magic circle between your palms, with fingers stretched forward. Press lightly inward on the magic circle.
• Stand on one leg, and straighten the other out behind you, with your toes pointed to the floor. Distribute the weight evenly across your supporting foot.
• Bend your standing knee so it comes directly over and not beyond your toes.
• Hold the position for five seconds (that's "Mississippi" seconds!), then straighten.
• Repeat 10 times. Switch legs and repeat.
• Complete three sets of 10 reps on each leg.

Leg Lifts

• Lie on your stomach with the magic circle between your legs, just above the ankles. Place your hands flat on the mat beneath your forehead.
• Bend knees into a right angle. Flex feet so they're as parallel to the ceiling as possible.
• Using your glutes and hamstrings, lift your knees off the mat. Lower, and repeat. It should feel as if you're pulsing your feet toward the ceiling.
• Complete three sets of 10 reps — or four if you're planning to wear a body-con that evening!

Swimming

• Lie on your stomach holding the magic circle with your legs, just above the ankles.
• Place your hands flat on the mat beneath your forehead.
• Keeping your legs straight, lift your thighs off the mat so only your pelvis is touching the mat.
• Hold the position, and squeeze the magic circle 10 times. You should feel this in your inner­ thighs and glutes.
• Lower your legs.
• Complete three sets of 10 squeezes.

Modified Swimming

• Lie on your stomach with the magic circle between your legs, just above the ankles.
• Place your arms out to the sides making a "T" shape (you can hold two-pound weights to work your arms too).
• Lift both the arms and the legs off the ground, so only your pelvis is touching the mat. Keep your stomach lifted so your abs are engaged.
• While holding your legs above the ground, slowly move your arms down by your side with your palms facing the floor.
• Repeat 10 times total, then rest.
• Do four sets of 10 reps each.

Modified Bridging

• Lie on your back with your hands firmly on the mat, on either side of your body, and place the magic circle between your legs just above the knees.
• Curl up — vertebrae by vertebrae — into a bridge position, keeping your body in a straight line from your chest to your knees.
• Hold the bridge and squeeze the magic circle 10 times. You should feel it in your inner ­thighs and glutes.
• Complete three sets of 10 squeezes.