Body Beautiful, Part 4: She’s Got Legs

From squats to exfoliation, here’s how to get dress-ready for your big day

As a bride-to-be, you have a to-do list a mile long. But while you’re booking your reception site, hiring a photographer and testing out bands, we’d like to remind you to remember the most important part of the whole ceremony: You!

“Brides get so caught up in the wedding and being busy,” says Richel D’Ambra, owner of Richel D’Ambra

As a bride-to-be, you have a to-do list a mile long. But while you’re booking your reception site, hiring a photographer and testing out bands, we’d like to remind you to remember the most important part of the whole ceremony: You!

“Brides get so caught up in the wedding and being busy,” says Richel D’Ambra, owner of Richel D’Ambra Spa & Salon in Philadelphia, “they forget about themselves.” To help you look and feel your best as you walk down the aisle in that gorgeous gown, we’ve teamed up with local fitness and beauty experts to help you prepare your most visible parts — your back, buns, arms and legs — for their Big Day. Try these exercises — most of which can be done at home — to target these four key areas, and then take in a spa treatment to enhance your glow.

Part 4: She's Got Legs

On the honeymoon, you’ll want to show off your sticks, so make sure they’re shapely. Squats and lunges are great, and here are a few more exercises to target and tone your legs.

Calf raises: From standing position, rise up on the balls of your feet and lower back down. If you don’t feel the burn, add resistance with free weights or a medicine ball. Snyder also suggests standing on a step to increase your range of motion.

Side leg raises: To tone your thighs, Garrison suggests lying on your side and raising and lowering your top leg. To target the inner thigh, bring your leg in front of your body. Don’t forget to switch sides, and add ankle weights to increase intensity.

Tree pose: Standing with your feet together, shift your weight to the left leg, bend your right knee, and place the bottom of your right foot above or below the left knee. Santoro recommends starting with your hands together in front of your heart, moving them above your head for increased difficulty. Switch legs.

See part 1 for exercises to tone your back.

See part 2 for exercises to firm your posterior.

See part 3 for exercises to slim your arms.