Let the wedding countdown begin! This full-body workout is the perfect addition to any wedding-day prep. Whether you're looking to get in shape for your big day or you just want an added boost of confidence, begin with this workout.
Directions: Start with a dynamic warm-up consisting of the following exercises:
Now it's time to get started! If you need to make any modifications to the exercises/repetitions, please do so. Don't forget to cool down after your workout with a stretch and/or foam rolling.
1Squat to Overhead Press
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Kyle Hartman
Stand with your legs just slightly wider than hip-distance apart, arms raised to shoulder height with elbows bent, holding weights by your ears.
Bend your knees as if you were sitting in a chair, keeping weight on your heels.
Press the dumbbells overhead as you straighten your knees to return to standing. This completes one rep.
Holding the barbell (or two dumbbells at your side), keep your arms straight and knees slightly bent.
Slowly bend at your hip joint, not your waist, and lower the weights as far as possible without rounding your back, which should remain straight. Looking forward, not at the ground, will help you avoid rounding your back. Keep the weights close to, almost touching, your legs.
Squeeze your glutes to slowly pull yourself up. Be sure not to use your back or round your spine!
With a pair of dumbbells and your feet hip-width distance apart, bend at the waist. Keep your back parallel to the floor with a neutral spine — not rounded.
With a slight bend in your knees, hold your arms and the dumbbells extended in front of you.
Engage your abs and squeeze your shoulder blades together as you bring the weights to your torso. Be sure to keep your elbows in and pointed upward.
Slowly lower the weights back to the starting position to complete one rep. Do three sets of 12 reps.
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4Forward-Backward Lunge
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Stand with the feet together.
Put weight on the left foot, lift your right knee up, and step into a forward lunge. The front knee should be at a 90-degree angle, with the left knee just barely hovering above the ground.
Push into your right heel, come to stand, and immediately step the right foot behind you into a reverse lunge with the left knee at a 90-degree angle.
This counts as one rep.
Do three sets of 12 reps on each leg.
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5Single-Leg Bridges
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Lie on your back and place your hands on the floor for stability as you bend one leg and lift the other leg off the ground.
Pressing your heel into the floor, lift your pelvis up, keeping your body in a stiff bridge position.
Slowly lower your body to the floor. This completes one rep.
Do three sets of 12 reps on each leg.
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6Elbow Plank With Reach
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Kyle Hartman
Begin in an elbow plank with your feet set slightly wider than your hips.
Keeping your torso stable, reach your left arm forward, then return to starting position. Then repeat on the other side. This completes one rep.
Lie on your back, and reach your arms rigidly to your side, off the floor. Lift your legs off the floor, and point them, so they are at about a 45-degree angle. Lift your head, so your shoulders are off the floor as well.
When you're ready to begin, lift your upper torso off the floor and bend your knees. You can lean back to make this move harder or come up more to make it easier. Slowly lower your upper body back down to the floor, straightening out your legs as you do so. Stop when your back is on the floor, but not your head, shoulders, or legs.