whole body market

Are you getting married? Concerned with how your body will look on the biggest day of your life? Well, you’re not alone. If you are motivated to tone up, you will see results. Your bridal fitness program may consist of cardio, strengthening moves, flexibility, and resistance training, but try choosing moves to match your dress by targeting the muscles that will be revealed. If your dress is strapless or reveals your bare back, the Xertube Trainer is one of many training tools to help get your upper body in bridal fitness shape.

Having trouble starting your buff bride workout? Get your maid of honor to join you in the workouts. A workout buddy will keep you motivated and help you keep an eye toward the wedding day. If you want to try Pilates, tone your body with an exercise DVD that simulates the spring resistance of a Pilates reformer. Or try working out at home with a simple flex band to strengthen arm muscles and give them definition. Use your free weights or try soft weighted balls for a new strength training experience.

Using the tools mentioned above, here are two exercises:

1. Rows: For that upper body reveal, use a Flex band for this exercise. Seated with your legs stretched out in front of you, place the band broadly across your feet and grab the ends with both hands. Pull your elbows back behind you brushing the sides of your body with your arms. Hold for a moment, and release. Repeat 10-15 x 3x a week for better posture.

2. Biceps: Using the Xertube Trainer, stand holding the handles in each hand. Place your right foot in the middle of the tube and stand firmly on it staggering the left foot back. Pull up on the tube bending at the elbow. Hold at the top, and release. Repeat 10-15 x, 3x a week for more toned arms.

Fitness Tips:

Good posture on your wedding day will make you look like a princess! Form counts when doing your workouts. Stand tall, shoulders back, glutes engaged and when lifting weights, always soften at the knees. Better form equals better and safer workouts means a winning bridal fitness formula.

Susannah Marchese is a certified Pilates instructor and writer.