The Importance of Core Strength for Brides: How to Tone and Sculpt Your Midsection
Jason Keigher • November 13, 2024
A strong core is essential for overall fitness and plays a significant role in how you carry yourself on your wedding day. Brides often focus on toning their arms, legs, or back, but the core is the foundation that supports all of these areas. A strong core enhances posture, balance, and stability, and it can help you move with grace and ease on your big day.
At FitBrides, we prioritize core strengthening exercises that target all areas of your midsection—your abdominals, obliques, and lower back. Here are some of the most effective core exercises that will not only help you look great in your wedding dress but also feel more confident and strong.
1. Planks: The Ultimate Core Exercise
Planks are one of the best core exercises, and for good reason. They target your entire core, including your abdominals, obliques, and lower back, while also engaging your shoulders, arms, and glutes. At FitBrides, we incorporate various plank variations into your routine, such as side planks and forearm planks, to increase intensity and work different muscle groups.
Holding a plank position for longer periods of time helps build endurance in your core muscles, which supports your posture and helps you stand tall in your wedding dress. Start with shorter holds and gradually increase your time as your core strength improves.
2. Russian Twists: Sculpt Your Obliques
Russian twists are a great way to target your obliques—the muscles on the sides of your abdomen—helping to create a toned, sculpted waistline. This exercise also works your entire core and enhances rotational movement, which is important for overall functional fitness.
To perform a Russian twist, sit on the floor with your knees bent and your feet flat. Lean back slightly and hold a weight or medicine ball with both hands. Twist your torso to the right, bringing the weight beside your hip, then twist to the left. This exercise helps tone the obliques and build rotational strength, giving you a leaner, more defined waistline.
3. Bicycle Crunches: Target Your Upper and Lower Abs
Bicycle crunches are one of the most effective exercises for engaging both the upper and lower abdominal muscles. They also work your obliques, providing a comprehensive core workout.
To perform bicycle crunches, lie flat on your back and bring your knees to a 90-degree angle. Place your hands behind your head and twist your torso to bring your right elbow toward your left knee, while extending your right leg out. Switch sides and repeat. This exercise tones the entire core, helping you build the strong, sculpted midsection you desire for your wedding day.
4. Superman Holds: Strengthen Your Lower Back
While most core exercises focus on the front of the body, the lower back is an equally important part of the core. Superman holds are excellent for strengthening your lower back and improving overall spinal stability.
To perform a Superman hold, lie face down on the floor with your arms extended in front of you and your legs straight. Lift your arms, chest, and legs off the ground simultaneously, squeezing your glutes and lower back. Hold for several seconds, then lower back down. This exercise helps strengthen your lower back and balance out the muscles of your core, supporting good posture and stability.
Building a strong, sculpted core is essential for both your bridal look and overall health. If you’re ready to focus on core strength and build a more toned, confident midsection, FitBrides can help you get there with a customized fitness program.
Contact me, Jason Keigher, at
760-884-8840
or
info@fitbrides.com
to start your core-strengthening journey today!

By Jason Keigher
•
May 8, 2025
Kettlebells are small, portable, and incredibly ef fective—e xactly what you need when wedding planning leaves you short on time. A single bell can torch calories, sculpt lean muscle, and improve posture so your dress fits like it was custom-made just for you. Why kettlebells are a bride’s best friend Full-body results, fast High-intensity swings and squats activate hips, core, shoulders, and grip all at once, giving you more burn in less time. Tone without bulk The bell’s off-center weight creates long, lean muscle lines—ideal for strapless gowns and open-back dresses. Better posture and core stability Every rep reinforces your midsection, helping you stand taller and look confident in photos. Functional strength for the big weekend From lifting décor boxes to dancing all night, kettlebell workouts translate directly to real-life demands. Five power moves every bride should know 1. Kettlebell Swing Targets glutes, hamstrings, back, and cardio system. Key cue: snap your hips forward; let your arms float. 2. Goblet Squat Sculpts quads, inner thighs, and core. Keep the bell at chest height, elbows tucked. 3. Racked Reverse Lunge Shapes glutes, core, and balance. Hold the bell at one shoulder; step back softly. 4. Single-Arm Row Strengthens back and shoulders; improves posture. Pull the bell toward your hip with a flat back. 5. Half Get-Up Builds total-body stability and shoulder strength. Keep eyes on the bell; move slowly through each step. A 20-minute kettlebell circuit Warm-up (3 minutes) Body-weight squats × 10 • Hip bridges × 10 • Arm circles × 20 s each way Main circuit — repeat 3–4 rounds Swings × 15 Goblet squats × 10 Single-arm rows × 8 each side Racked reverse lunges × 6 each side Half get-ups × 3 each side Rest 60 seconds between rounds. Cool-down (2 minutes) Child’s pose • Hip-flexor stretch • Chest opener Three of these sessions per week can transform strength and body composition in as little as four weeks—perfect timing for final fittings. Safety tips Start with a weight you can swing cleanly for 10 reps (many beginners do well with 15–20 lb). Keep heels rooted; hinge at the hips, not the waist. Maintain straight wrists and vertical forearms when holding the bell. Stop if you feel back pain—reset form before continuing. Pregnant brides or anyone with back issues should get professional clearance first. Let FitBrides handle the hard part Our certified trainers deliver kettlebell sessions at your home, office, or favorite Palm Springs spot. We tailor every workout to your timeline, dress style, and current fitness level—so you gain confidence, not guesswork. Ready to swing into wedding-day shape? Book your free consultation with FitBrides today and see how one iron bell can unlock your strongest, most radiant self.

By Jason Keigher
•
November 14, 2024
As a bride-to-be, it’s easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of advice from well-meaning friends, family, and social media influencers. However, not all fitness advice is created equal, and some of the common bridal fitness myths can actually hinder your progress. At FitBrides, we believe in debunking these misconceptions to ensure that your fitness journey is both effective and enjoyable.

By Jason Keigher
•
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Staying motivated to work out during the weeks leading up to your wedding can be tough. With all the tasks to manage, it’s easy to let fitness take a backseat. However, maintaining a fitness routine can ensure that you look and feel your best on your wedding day. At FitBrides, we’ve developed strategies to keep brides on track with their fitness goals, no matter how hectic their schedule.

By Jason Keigher
•
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After your wedding day, it can be easy to fall off track with your fitness routine. You’ve been so focused on preparing for the wedding that once it’s over, the motivation to continue working out may fade. However, maintaining a fitness routine post-wedding is essential for keeping your energy levels high, boosting your confidence, and maintaining the strength you’ve built leading up to the big day.

By Jason Keigher
•
November 14, 2024
If you’re looking for an exciting and effective way to get in shape before your wedding, a bridal bootcamp might be just what you need. Bridal bootcamps are high-intensity, full-body workouts designed to help brides tone, strengthen, and improve their fitness in a short amount of time. FitBrides offers fun, customized bootcamp sessions that deliver amazing results while keeping things fresh and engaging.

By Jason Keigher
•
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Wedding planning can be exciting but also stressful, and many brides find themselves overwhelmed by the logistics, guest lists, and decision-making. But there’s a powerful way to combat stress and improve your mental and physical well-being—exercise. At FitBrides, we believe that a strong workout routine not only prepares you physically for your wedding but also helps you manage stress and anxiety.

By Jason Keigher
•
November 13, 2024
The journey to your wedding day is an exciting time, but it’s also a period filled with to-do lists, planning, and—if you’re like many brides—fitness goals to look and feel your best. At FitBrides, we believe your pre-wedding fitness journey should empower you to feel confident, strong, and radiant as you walk down the aisle. Here are the top five fitness goals many brides aim for, along with the strategies we use at FitBrides to help you accomplish them.

By Jason Keigher
•
November 13, 2024
While it’s true that most brides want to look their best on their wedding day, pre-wedding fitness is about so much more than just aesthetics. At FitBrides, we believe that physical fitness during the months leading up to your wedding day can have long-lasting benefits for your health, well-being, and the way you feel about yourself.

By Jason Keigher
•
November 13, 2024
Your wedding dress is one of the most important parts of your big day, and selecting the perfect gown involves considering many factors, including your body type. At FitBrides, we know that when you feel great in your dress, it boosts your confidence and makes your entire wedding day more enjoyable. A fitness regimen that targets your body’s unique needs can help you feel stronger and more confident, no matter what style of dress you choose.

By Jason Keigher
•
November 13, 2024
The excitement of planning your wedding is unlike any other period of life, and for many brides, looking and feeling amazing is a top priority. At FitBrides, we’ve helped countless brides reach their goals, and one key lesson we emphasize is the importance of starting your bridal fitness journey well in advance. Giving yourself plenty of time—ideally six to twelve months before your wedding day—can profoundly impact not only your results but also how enjoyable and sustainable the process feels.