It's said that French women swear by cold showers in their quest to keep breasts looking firm and young. Personally, I'm not sure a daily drenching of ice-cold water is really worth the reward, so I had a look around for some other, gentler, remedies.

Breasts — as we refer to those oversized mammary glands that somehow have become the ultimate symbol of feminity — are delicate objects, tender to the touch and quick to take offence. Much like their owners, one might say…

Unfortunately there's not much we can do about the size of our breasts — apart from surgery and the application of dubious herbal remedies — as bosoms are made up of fatty tissue. Size depends on the amount of fat you store in that area, but there's no way we can direct those extra calories here rather than to hips and thighs.

But one way to perk up a little is to concentrate on working out. Liz Neporent, writing on the iVillage.co.uk website, recommends focusing on the pectoral, or chest, muscles. She suggests three exercises, to be repeated 8-15 times each in sets of between one and three, two to three times a week.

On the mat

The first exercise is a 'ladies’ push up', performed with crossed ankles. Balance on your palms and knees, then lower yourself in a straight line until your upper arms are parallel to the floor, rather than trying to touch your chest to the ground. Neporent says you shouldn't lock your arms at the top of the move.

Next is some weightlifting. You can use dumbbells or even food tins for this, one in each hand. Lie on the floor and raise the tins above your head, so your arms are perpendicular to your shoulders and your palms face away from your body. Pull your abdominals in, advises Neporent, but keep your back straight. Don't push it into the floor or let it arch.

Now, lower the tins down and to the side, so your arms form a right angle and your elbows lightly touch the floor. Push the weights back up, but don’t lock your elbows and keep the shoulder blades on the floor.

Repeat this exercise , but with your upper body propped up with cushions, and have your palms face towards each other when raising the tins. Then, spread your arms apart, and lower the weights until your elbows touch the floor. Lift the weights back up, always keeping your elbows bent. Neporent suggests imagining you are trying to reach your arms around a large barrel on your chest.

Now you've toned your pecs, why not finish off with some sit-ups and bicep curls for all-round toning?

Support, please!

Invest in some decent sports bras. Anna Kournikova is better known for her shapely assets than for her ability to hit a tennis ball, but the young star has a point. Breasts need protection in order to stay shapely, especially if you're going to be bobbing up and down. Plus, they're really comfy.

Once you've got your assets in great shape, keep them blemish-free with some simple beauty tips.

Enhance your assets

If you've got mild acne, Cosmopolitan magazine suggests washing the affected area with a drying cleanser and then applying an acne treatment. Prevent perspiration by wearing loose, cotton clothing. A mud or clay mask twice a week will help unclog pores. Don't rub or scratch the area, thus further irritating already sensitive skin. If your pimples aren't clearing up, consult a dermatologist.

Hot date coming up? Accentuate what’s already there with some judicious application of blusher. Get some sexy lingerie, if necessary of the uplifting and enhancing kind.

You'll look great, but even more importantly, you'll feel fantastic too.