Summer is around the corner, the shorts come out, and everyone starts thinking about getting that beach body.

Men all want a six pack, ladies want a perfect bottom, and I'm often told their ideal choice would be one just like Kylie Minogue's.

I've no guarantee you will get one like hers but you certainly should exercise so you can tone up what you have.

There are myths that if you start exercising one of your biggest muscles, which is called the Gluteus Maximus, you will end up with a bigger rear than when you started - this isn't true.

Your body has different muscle fibres - slow and fast twitch. The slow twitch fibres (think marathon runners) are made for endurance and can't get very big. Fast twitch muscle fibres (think of bodybuilders) are made to lift heavy weights and grow larger.

So if you do a lot of aerobic exercise like treadmill, cycling or cross training, you're relying on your slow twitch muscles so they will not get bigger while doing cardiovascular exercise.

Also muscle building requires progressive resistance, which means increasing the weight with fewer repetitions to make you put more effort to lift the heavier weight.

So if you were to lift lighter weights but with more repetitions you will be just toning your rear. Women do tend to store fat in the glute area and it can be one of the most difficult areas to shift.

If you want to reduce the size, aerobic exercise is key as it raises your heart rate and will increase the rate you burn fat. Also diet needs to be looked at, especially your consumption of high fat, low nutrition foods and alcohol.

The best way to burn fat, shape and tone the bottom to combine diet, aerobic workouts and specific exercises which target your gluteus maximus muscles and maybe you'll get that Kylie bottom you have always wanted.

By LES SLINN, fitness instructor and personal trainer at JJB Fitness, Thamesdown Drive, Swindon. Call 01793 704044