Bridal Boot Camps: Get Ready for the Big Day

This past Saturday, I attended a rooftop fitness class with Physique 57 sponsored by Brides magazine, which included 45 minutes of dynamic exercise methods. The tough interval training sets incorporate muscle-defining arm exercises, intense thigh and seat sequences, ab moves and fluid stretches.

It was definitely a challenge (my inner thighs are still burning) and forced me to use my body in ways that I don't normally consider. My only complaint -- yes, only one -- is that the instructor went through each move (which were intermediate to advanced level) rather quickly, and I (as well as others in the class) couldn't always keep up. The exercises definitely came easier for those who had participated in a Physique 57 class before, enabling them to focus on form and breathing instead of rushing to get the exercise right. Any bride doing this workout three to four times a week pre-wedding would definitely create a long and lean dancer's body, as the class promises.

There are two Physique studios in New York City, one in Bridgehampton, New York, and a studio set to open in L.A. later this month. While these bridal boot camps will certainly get your heart pumping (and under-worked muscles screaming), if you can't get to one of these locations you can check out the Physique 57 DVD workout series.

There are also a number of bridal boot camps offered throughout gyms nationwide. Ask about these classes at your local gym, or check out a few new options for some last minute prenuptial toning:

The Wedding Dance Workout at NYSC
New York Sports Club has just started to offer "The Wedding Dance Workout," a fun, cardiovascular, fat-burning workout that utilizes dances done at weddings -- basic waltz, foxtrot, tango, country line dances and disco. The class is ideal for couples, members of the wedding party, or guests. This will be offered at Washington, Philadelphia and Boston Sport Clubs in addition to New York Sports Clubs.

Tone Up and Tie the Knot at YMCA
This YMCA boot camp is for soon-to-be brides, bridesmaids, or even a guests at an upcoming wedding that uses cardio and circuit training to help increase muscle tone and confidence. Find out if this class is available at the nearest YMCA location and register on their site.

Want a get-in-shape-fast bridal workout without schlepping to the gym? Bootcamp DVDs Buff Brides: Count Down to Gown Workout, Bridal Workout: Shape Up Before You Ship Out and The Healthy Bride's Bootcamp Workout are all good options to get you in shape on your own pre-wedding day schedule.

Find out how fit singer Fergie got in shape for her big day!