Are you preparing for wedding season or your very special day? If so, it’s safe to say that looking good in a suit, tuxedo or formal wear is your top priority. We totally understand that you want to do your best for your vows and spice things up. After all, this is a day you will remember for the rest of your life – and it starts with good posture. We caught up with Kelly Najjar, a personal trainer at Fyt, to round up the absolute best exercises for looking good in formal wear. (For those of you who didn’t know, Fyt is the nation’s largest personal training service, making fitness convenient and accessible to everyone under the expert guidance of an in-person or virtual certified fitness professional.)
Emphasizing the importance of maintaining good posture, Najjar tells us, “Your head should be over your spine and held high. Your shoulders need to be down and back. Your glutes and abs need to be strong and engaged.” So, to look great in formal wear and rock your accomplished look, follow the exercises below.
For this first exercise, you will stand or sit upright. Then Najjar instructs you to place two fingers on your chin and tuck your chin to form a double chin. Gently press down on your chin with these two fingers to increase the stretch.
Next, lie on your back while tongue pressing on the roof of your mouth, tucking your chin in and elevating your neck about an inch off the floor. Stay in this position for 3 sets of 20 seconds.
Also see: The 12 week bridal boot camp workout to get in shape for the big day
In this movement, you stand with the left side of your body in front of a wall. Bring your left palm to the wall while keeping your arm straight and twist to your right until you feel the stretch work its magic. Stay in this position for 3 sets of 20 seconds, then switch sides.
Stand up straight and place your arms at your sides. Bring your abdomen toward your spine, then bring your shoulder blades together and lower them down. Hold for 4 sets of 10 seconds.
For this next step, sit on the floor. Your legs should be in front of you. Wrap a resistance band around your feet and grasp the handles. Bring your abdomen toward your spine as you begin a rowing motion. Bring your shoulder blades together while gradually bringing your elbows back and keeping them close to your ribs. Perform 3 sets of 10 reps.
Also see: The #1 Bat Wing Workout to Tone and Tone Those Arms
This next exercise is shown above. You will stand tall and place your feet hip-width apart. Your knees should be just a little bent as you bring your belly button towards your spine. Bring your hips back and take your right foot off the floor. Make sure your back stays straight as you bend, then straighten your leg behind you. Tighten your left glutes, then bring your right leg back to a standing position. Repeat this move with your other leg, aiming for 3 sets of 10 reps on each side.
Last but not least comes the classic floorboard. Begin this exercise on all fours, then bring your legs back until they are straight to assume a traditional plank position. Activate your core and shoot for 3 sets of 30 seconds.
Alexa Melardo
Alexa is Associate Editor of the Mind + Body of Eat This, Not That! Continue reading
