Pilates is a great workout for strengthening your core and getting a sleeker physique. You'll become more aware of your alignment and posture -- which contributes to better body awareness and image while you're out in your swimsuit. We talked to Cassey Ho, Pilates instructor and founder of POP Pilates, about some of her favorite floor exercises to get bikini-ready:

Elevated Corkscrew
Start by lying on your back. Then prop yourself up on your elbows and engage your abs. Straighten your back so you can lift your legs up at an angle (about 45 degrees from the mat). Circle your legs in a clockwise direction, then go counter clockwise, trying five circles each way. For an easier modification, bend your legs instead of keeping them straight.

Teaser with Circle Arms
Sit on your tailbone with arms straight out in front of you, engage your abs and lift your chest so your torso is at a 45-degree angle from the mat. Then lift up bent legs so your shins are parallel to the mat (with toes pointed) and balance on your tailbone in this modified "V" position. While you're balancing, circle your arms in a clockwise direction, and then go counter clockwise. Repeat 20 times in each direction while keeping the rest of your body still.

Scissor Crunch
Start by lying on your back, with your hands behind your head, and your bent elbows facing out. Make sure you press your lower back into the mat as you lift the right leg up towards the sky and keep the left leg low and parallel to the floor. Keeping your upper body lifted a few inches off the floor (while also keeping your abs engaged and drawn down into the mat), switch your legs up and down 20 times.

Like I said, cardio is still an important (albeit smaller) part of a bikini-ready workout. But for this we're focusing on interval training, which is different from going steady on the elliptical for 40 minutes. Alternating high-intensity exercise with low-intensity recovery periods actually improves the body's ability to burn fat. So in addition to sculpting and weight-training exercises, these bursts of interval cardio will help reduce flab. Take an interval training spin class, or test out an interval course on the elliptical on your own. For the treadmill-lovers, try alternating between 3 minutes of running and 1.5 minutes of sprinting for 30 minutes (or walking and running if you're a beginner).