Are you ready to work? Like, seriously? So excited to welcome one of the most invigorating and inspiring people I know, Sonja Franzman as our Guest Blogger today. Sonja helps whip brides into amazing shape with great fitness, nutrition and lifestyle advice and programs. Today she’s sharing her top 3 moves for killer wedding dress arms.  You’ll also notice a rather unfit lady attempting to demonstrate these moves in GIFs throughout the post – that’s me, Alix, CB’s Online Editor and excuse my sad excuse for fitness (especially the pushups!). After making these GIF’s, I’m motivated – stay tuned for a Before and After in a few months! 

This is it, YOUR big day! And with a few months to go until your summer wedding you still have plenty of time to feel fit, sleek and confident! Incorporating these 6 strength moves into your fitness plan will help you get there. Do these 3 upper body exercises 3x/week on alternating days if you want to tone up and get killer wedding day arms! I know you’ll want to look and feel like a star on your wedding day especially with the full day photoshoot, so let’s get you on your way!

Pushups – Start on your knees with your hands under but slightly outside of your shoulders. Lower your body until your chest nearly touches the floor. As you lower yourself, tuck your elbows, pulling them close to your body so that your upper arms form a 45-degree angle when your torso is in the bottom position of the move. Pause, then push back to the starting position as quickly as possible. Keep your core braced the entire time. Advanced – start on toes instead of knees.

(Alix: look at that sad excuse for a push up! Obviously, I can only make it down half way: the goal is to have your nose touch the floor.)

Back Row – Stand with your feet pointed straight ahead and draw in your navel. Bend at your waist until your chest is at a 45 degree angle to the ground. Extend your arms and let them hang in front of your body with a dumbbell in each hand. Row the dumbbells, bringing your thumbs up toward your armpits. Contract your shoulder blades together and be careful not to arch your back. Return the dumbbells to the starting position and repeat.

(Alix: Okay, so obviously I have a lot of work to do. Horrible posture and 3 lbs weights?! What are those, for toddlers?!)

Biceps Curl into Shoulder Press – Grab a pair of dumbbells and stand with arms hanging down at arm’s length. This is the starting position. Begin exercise by curling the dumbbells up to your shoulders. Rotate your palms outward so that they are now facing forward (away from your body). Begin the pressing portion pressing of the exercise and press the dumbbells overhead until your arms are straight. Reverse movements back to starting position. This completes one rep.

(Alix: What I’m sure you love most about this GIF is my messy kitchen in the background!)