Fun Exercise Ideas for Brides

Every bride wants to look amazing on their wedding day, and that means being the fittest, most healthiest version of themselves - ever! But for many of us, the thought of exercise is daunting, boring, or just one more thing to fit into an already busy schedule. So what's the key to getting in great shape without it being a chore? Choose activities that are fun and social.

Dance Classes

Whether it's waltz, samba or cha-cha lessons with your partner to prepare for your first dance as husband and wife, or hip-hip, salsa or contemporary classes with your girlfriends after work, dance classes are a great way to get into shape. You'll be working every muscle in your body, and in conjunction with a balanced diet and other light exercise, you should start to see greater tone and definition in your muscles in just a few weeks. Plus, when you're dancing your cares away to a great song, it doesn't even feel like exercise!

Trampolining

If you loved jumping on your trampoline as a kid and doing somersaults, why not give trampolining a go? Many sports and leisure centres offer classes, and bouncing and tumbling through the air for an hour a week is a great way to get a natural high.

Rollerblading/Rollerskating

Remember how much you loved going rollerskating as a kid? No one said the sport was restricted to children! Ditch the car and meet up with your girlfriends for a one-hour whiz through your local park or promenade each weekend. You'll wonder why you ever gave it up! Always remember to buy yourself a good pair of knee pads and wrist guards - you might think it looks dorky, but better to wear them now than have your arm in a sling as you walk down the aisle!

Competitive Team Sports

Nothing burns calories - and stress - than a fast-paced team sport. Get a team together - it could even be your fiancé, bridesmaids and groomsmen - and join a local club; it could be basketball, netball, tennis, soccer, handball... even dodgeball! You'll build up a great camaraderie with your team - a great thing if it is your bridal party - and the competitive nature of the game gives you a great excuse to let off some steam!

Cycling

If you've got a bike lying around, now is as good a time as ever to take it for a spin! Riding a bike is a great workout for all the key leg muscles - your calves, thighs and glutes - and if you get out two to three times a week for a half and hour at a decent pace, you'll start to see results in no time! If some of your friends also have bikes, why not ride over to their houses and then go out for a coffee together?

Group training

If your bridesmaids or other friends are also looking to get into shape, you might want to look into booking a personal trainer for some small group sessions. A trainer will be able to tailor the exercise routine to your body type and help you reach your goals in time. If you let them know that you're priority is to have fun while getting fit, they should be able to come up with some activities you'll really enjoy. We've heard of brides whose trainers have created a series of challenges for them almost like an amazing race! So get on your exercise gear, get out the war paint, turn on the Rocky theme and go bust some guts - literally!

Laser Tag/Paint Ball

One sure fire way to get your adrenaline pumping is to play team stealth games such as laser tag and paint ball. Constant rise and fall of your heart rate as you sprint between targets and pause to assess the scene is a great aerobic work out - and firing relatively harmless objects at people is a great way to let out any built up tension! But just a word of warning - don't play paintball in particular within 3 weeks of your wedding. Although you'll be wearing protective gear, the balls themselves can leave nasty bruises - and you want to be a blushing bride, not a bruised one!

Nature Walks

If you're searching for relaxation as much as exercise, the best remedy is to make a regular time for a nice long walk. You could even arrange to do it with your partner, and make it wedding-free time - where you talk and think about anything BUT the wedding! Reminisce over the good times, daydream about the future, or even just catch up on each other's families and friends. If you have a particularly beautiful area such as a nature reserve, park or beach with easy walking or driving distance, why not go there for your walks? Getting out in the fresh air will not only clear your head, it will help replenish your energy and release tension - which is just what every bride needs!