5 Strengthening Upper-Body Exercises to Do Before Your Wedding

by - April 26, 2018

It's important to feel strong, powerful, and confident when the time comes to say "I do," and if that means giving your muscles a little extra TLC before the big day, we support you. But between tasting ALL the cakes (only because you make informed decisions!) and rearranging seating charts to keep the reception from turning into an episode of Game of Thrones, it can be hard to find the time to work out. And let's face it, you're not about to drop your life savings on a personal trainer.
But don't lose hope—it's possible to commit to your body before you commit to your S.O. while still having time to eat, sleep, breathe, and, you know, be a human. We asked our friends, Karena and Katrina of Tone It Up, for an upper-body routine that you can bust out on your own—or with friends, family, your partner, or your bridesmaids. And if you want to take a few extra steps to flex your way into the married life, check out their Studio Tone It Up app, which offers dance cardio, HIIT, kickboxing, and other workout classes on the hour.
Note: For best results, do this workout (3 rounds of 15 reps), 3 times per week, using a set of 8- to 12-pound dumbbells.

1. Arnold Press

Sculpts your shoulders, back, and chest.
Start with arms in front of you, bent at a 90-degree angle. Your elbows should be at shoulder height, and you should be holding a dumbbell in each hand with palms facing you. Open your arms out to the side, maintaining the bend at your elbow. From there, press your arms directly up to full extension. Return to start by reversing the entire movement.
Do 15 reps.

2. Cross-Body Biceps Curl

Sculpts your biceps.
Start standing with your feet hip-width apart. Hold a dumbbell in each hand with palms facing your body. Using one arm at a time, curl one weight toward your opposite shoulder. Then repeat with the opposite arm.
Do 15 reps on each side.

3. Bent-Over Row

Tones your back.
Start standing with your feet together, knees slightly bent and upper body hinged slightly forward at the hips. Hold your arms directly under your chest with a dumbbell in each hand and palms facing each other. From here, lift the weights up to your chest while keeping elbows close to your torso. Slowly lower back down.
Do 15 reps.

4. V Raise

Tones your shoulders and chest.
Start standing with your feet hip-width apart. Hold a dumbbell in each hand in front of your thighs with palms facing out. Raise the weights slightly laterally in front of you to form a V, then slowly lower back down.
Do 15 reps.

5. Plank Row and Triceps Extension

Sculpts your core and triceps.
Start in a high-plank position with wrists directly below your shoulders. With a dumbbell in each hand, raise your right elbow to your torso, keeping your arm close to your body. Then extend your right arm back. Slowly reverse the motion and bring the dumbbell back to the ground. Do all on one side, then repeat on the opposite arm.
Do 15 reps on each side.
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