Every bride has a different body. We all know this. The shape of the dress however, can determine what part of your body it accentuates. Every day at Amazing Alterations we have brides that are frustrated with how their arms look in a ball gown, or how their rear looks in a mermaid. As much as we try to alter the dress to show off your best features, sometimes a simple exercise is all you need. So here is a run-down of the workouts that you should be focusing on if you are looking to tone that certain ‘asset’.
First and foremost, with all exercise plans, you are more likely to succeed with a stable diet as well. I know, but what about Chipotle?? Maybe cut back a little!
Strapless Dress
When you look at a dress in a picture and you see that there is a gap between the top of the dress and the armpit, the dress is sitting too low and will start to fall down. We raise the dresses up and fit it higher. This typically will make the skin around the front of the armpits come over the dress a smidge. Strapless dresses also show off the shoulders, which is a great time to show off your great back muscles.
Your Plan: Focus on your shoulders, triceps, chest, back, and biceps.
Shoulders: vertical weight raises, front raises, and side arm lifts.
Triceps: bench dip, and triceps kickback.
Chest: pushups and dumbbell fly.
Back: Dumbbell pulldown, and bent-over row.
Empire-Waist Dress
An empire-waist is the most forgiving dress style that you can find. For this style, you need to focus more on the arms and upper chest just as you would if you have a strapless. This dress will allow a few more tacos if it goes straight to your stomach.
Your Plan: Focus on your shoulders, triceps, chest, back, and biceps.
Shoulders: vertical weight raises, front raises, and side arm lifts.
Triceps: bench dip, and triceps kickback.
Chest: pushups and dumbbell fly.
Back: Dumbbell pulldown, and bent-over row.
A-Line or Princess Ball Gown
These dresses are fitted at the stomach and flare out at the waist or more at the hips. To achieve the best body in this dress style you still want to be working on your arms but also your waist. This style accentuates the stomach by sucking the waist in and then going wider at the hips so your waist looks tiny. The best workout for this style is to focus on your core stomach muscles as well as working on your arms.
Your Plan: Focus on your arms, but also that core.
Arms: shoulders, biceps, chest and back (see workouts above).
Core: The plank, the plank, the plank. Find as many ways as you can to do a plank and make it fun. Crunches are also helpful. *Tip: Sometimes just adjusting your posture when you notice you are slouching will help with your core; stand up straight and don’t lean over when you are typing.*
Fit and Flare/Mermaid/Sheath Dress
This dress is all about your curves! A sheath style dress shows all of your features so it requires the most when exercising. The two main focuses include your stomach, as well as your booty! Nobody wants a flat butt when they are wearing a tight fitting dress, so the squat is going to be your new go-to move.
Your Plan: Focus on core, arms, chest, and glutes.
Core: the plank, crunches, posture.
Arms: kickback raises, and bench dip.
Chest: pushups and front raises.
Glutes: Squats! Front and side lunges are in your future! Standing leg raises are also key.
With a healthy diet and a few simple moves every couple of days, you are bound to be in the best shape for the most important day of your life. It is up to you to create the body that you want, and our job to fit the dress perfectly to you!
