Long gone are the days when your only option to work out was to join up to a gym just to go three times and then feel slightly guilty about never going again.<\/p>\n To give you an idea of what\u2019s out there, I\u2019ve sacrificed myself to spending the last few weeks going along to a wide variety of fitness classes ranging from low-impact yoga, to high-intensity CrossFit, and everything in between, and put it all here in one handy article.<\/p>\n Every class I took is suitable for beginners, and they\u2019re all accessible throughout the country.<\/p>\n Read on for some serious #fitspo!<\/em><\/p>\n I\u2019d heard and read a lot about Barrecore<\/a> prior to my first class, but I still wasn\u2019t able to ascertain much more than that I was in for a toughie and that I\u2019d need socks.<\/p>\n I did know, however, that the system has quickly gained a devoted following across the country which includes celebs like Rita Ora, Poppy Delevingne, and Millie Mackintosh.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s interval training mixed with balletic movements and isometric holds\u2026 Mixed with barre which is hugely popular in America,\u201d says Pip Barsanti, lead instructor and manager of Barrecore\u2019s Bristol studio.<\/p>\n Essentially, it\u2019s an amped-up version of Pilates. And those isometric holds Pip was talking about burn<\/em>. They burn even more when you pulse with teeny tiny movements whilst still in the hold, whilst also trying to squeeze a rubber ball between your calf and your bum. But that\u2019s kind of the point.<\/p>\n \u201cThe smaller the movement,\u201d Pip says, \u201cthe bigger the physical impact.\u201d Barrecore uses these micro-movements and holds to create long, dancer-like lines, with noticeable improvements occurring within 8 weeks. So trust me, ladies, the burn is worth it, and it\u2019ll be a big boost to your wedding fitness plan.<\/p>\n \u201cEverything,\u201d is Pip\u2019s initial answer to this question. But it depends on which class you take. There are five types of classes: Asana (yoga-based, with barre thrown in), Sculpt (resistance training using bands), Signature (interval training, using weights), HIIT (high-intensity interval training) and Stretch (slower paced focusing on stretching).<\/p>\n There are also different levels, meaning you can go to a class that goes at a suitable pace for you and that targets the areas you\u2019re looking to work on.<\/p>\n For the most part, you\u2019ll notice a lot of work on the glutes and arms. That\u2019s mostly because, as Pip says, \u201ca lifted seat is what most women want\u201d, while long and lean arms create that enviable dancer physique. (They also look pretty good paired with a strapless wedding dress.)<\/p>\n I may not be a bride-to-be anymore, but I am definitely going to end up being a Barrecore maniac. There\u2019s something about the burn you get in a Barrecore class that\u2019s just so satisfying. I also definitely felt every muscle group being targeted at one point or another.<\/p>\n But even though it\u2019s intense, it\u2019s also very doable. You\u2019re invited to take things at your own pace and to take a breather when you need to. Plus, you\u2019re surrounded by very supportive ladies who motivate one another throughout class. There\u2019s an infectiously positive atmosphere in the room.<\/p>\n What\u2019s more, every class is guaranteed to be small \u2013 the Bristol studio\u2019s classes are capped at 12. \u201cSo even though you\u2019re in a class environment, you can\u2019t hide from me!\u201d Pip jokes.<\/p>\n The small class size is a major advantage. It ensured that, as a newbie (who was doing everything quite hilariously wrong to begin with), I was really well looked after.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a class structure with a personal training vibe; perfect for brides-to-be who need more personalised attention in their wedding workouts.<\/p>\n Barrecore has 8 studios scattered around London, with other locations in Bristol, Harrogate, Leeds, and Alderley Edge.<\/p>\n Classes at the Bristol studio are \u00a318 for a one-off drop-in, \u00a385 for 5 classes, \u00a3160 for 10 classes, or \u00a3300 for 20. Unlimited memberships are available for \u00a3149\/month and also come with access to Barrecore\u2019s online video classes.<\/p>\n One-to-one sessions and nutritional guidance are also available. Prices at other studios vary. For more information, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Invented in Calcutta by Bikram Choudhury and his guru, Bishnu Ghosh, Bikram yoga<\/a> was exported to the United States in the 1970s, when Bikram moved to Hollywood and became guru to the stars (and President Regan, according to legend).<\/p>\n The prescribed sequence of 26 yoga postures and two breathing exercises, each done twice within a 90 minute class, is performed in a room heated to 105 degrees Fahrenheit (42 Celsius).<\/p>\n Bikram initially came up with the series as a rehabilitation routine when he was recovering from a weight-lifting injury. Years later, he realised its potential benefits to people with all kinds of ailments. Now, Bikram is one of the most recognisable names in fitness.<\/p>\n If the class sounds intense, that\u2019s because it is. Even hardened practitioners \u2013 of which I am one \u2013 can have the occasional difficult class in which you feel like you\u2019re baking from the inside out whilst dreaming of living in a freezer for the rest of your life.<\/p>\n But don\u2019t let that put you off. The benefits of this practice are vast and significant.<\/p>\n Bikram yoga isn\u2019t just special because it\u2019s done in the heat (although that certainly makes it different). The series of postures is designed specifically to raise your heart rate at a steady pace. At the same time, the class systematically targets different muscle groups and internal organs.<\/p>\n Yep, you read that right. This class\u00a0truly works your whole body from the inside out. Bikram yoga is one of the only workouts there is that helps you increase strength and flexibility at the same time as improving circulation and organ functions.<\/p>\n The most immediately noticeable effects include tighter, firmer glutes, more flexible hamstrings, and an improved metabolism and digestive system. This is obviously\u00a0great support to any pre-wedding nutrition plan you may be on. Adding Bikram yoga to your wedding fitness plan can bring about a lot of positive changes.<\/p>\n Not only does the heat make you sweat (and therefore detox) like crazy, it also increases the suppleness and flexibility of your muscles, so you make big improvements in your practice pretty quickly.<\/p>\n New students typically report seeing improvements in their body composition and muscle definition within a month of dedicated practice (3-4 classes\/week).<\/p>\n There are also significant psychological benefits to be had from this practice. Going to a Bikram class means you\u2019re giving yourself 90 minutes of quality \u2018you\u2019 time. No phone, no emails, no talking, and no time to think about wedding-related stress.<\/p>\n Teachers encourage students to think of the class as a \u201c90 minute moving meditation\u201d helping you to focus your mind whilst strengthening your body, and improving your concentration and willpower at the same time.<\/p>\n There are Bikram yoga studios in almost every major UK city. However, many Bikram studios have dropped \u2018Bikram\u2019 from their studio name. Nevertheless, a quick online search of \u2018Bikram yoga [insert your city here]\u2019 should show you where you can practice locally.<\/p>\n Be warned: \u2018hot\u2019 yoga studios are not always<\/em> Bikram studios. \u2018Hot\u2019 yoga can refer to any type of yoga done in a heated room. Look for classes called \u2018Bikram\u2019, \u2018classic 90\u2019, or \u201926 & 2\u2019.<\/p>\n I practice (and teach!) at Bikram Yoga Bristol<\/a>, where an introductory month is \u00a330 for unlimited classes. Many other Bikram studios also have similar intro offers. From then on, monthly direct debit memberships usually cost between \u00a375-\u00a390. Drop-in classes tend to cost \u00a312-\u00a315.<\/p>\n Yep. Yoga for \u2018bros\u2019. An intense style of yoga that feels at times like a gym workout with a sadistic personal trainer disguised as a yoga class, and which is typically geared towards men. (The clue is in the name.)<\/p>\n Well, besides trying to appeal to grooms reading this article (hello out there!), it\u2019s also an incredibly effective workout. It combines all the zen you get from a yoga class with intense, challenging poses focused on building strength. Adding this class to your wedding workout routine is\u00a0beneficial mentally as well as physically.<\/p>\n No two Broga classes are likely to be the same. Teaching styles vary, and each class focuses on a different target muscle group; I was fortunate enough to be a victim of \u2018bicep and chest day\u2019. What joy.<\/p>\n Joking aside, though, adding Broga into your pre-wedding fitness routine will help massively to improve your strength and muscle definition without lifting weights.<\/p>\n This is where Broga differs quite drastically to other forms of yoga. \u201cMost yoga appeals to women because women are more naturally flexible, but not very strong\u2026 Broga is basically a type of yoga that focuses on strength\u2026 [so] it helps women to balance out their flexibility,\u201d instructor, Will, explains.<\/p>\n This is important, ladies. Many women who have plenty of natural flexibility, but lack the strength to support it, find themselves with lower back injuries or hamstring strains by the age of 40, Will estimates.<\/p>\n To counter that, Broga classes focus heavily on upper body work, which is great for toning the arms and shoulders. Press-ups disguised as downward dogs transitioning to planks, for example, are a popular Broga move.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re like me, you\u2019ll probably face-plant a good few times when attempting these. But then again, \u201cto get good at something, you have to suck at it at first,\u201d Will reminds me with a smile after my fourth wipe-out.<\/p>\n To put it simply, Broga offers strength training that most fitness classes geared towards women don\u2019t. As a result, a lot of the moves don\u2019t tend to come naturally to women, which is perfect when you\u2019re trying to change things up and gain muscle definition.<\/p>\n The fact that Broga is, at its core, a yoga class, also means that it\u2019s low-impact. This is key to avoiding joint and muscle strain that can come as a result of high-impact exercise. You\u2019re building strength with as little strain as possible, which is hard to do when running on the treadmill or lifting weights at the gym.<\/p>\n It also comes with all the other benefits of any other yoga class. Typically, that means a relaxed environment and a workout that is proven to alleviate stress, which can only do you good when added to your wedding fitness plan.<\/p>\n It may be called Broga, but maybe that \u2018Br\u2019 can stand for \u2018bride\u2019 in your case.<\/p>\n Broga is taught around the UK by Broga-certified instructors who are contracted to independent yoga studios or gyms.<\/p>\n Pricing varies from studio to studio. I practiced at Bikram Yoga Bristol, where drop-in classes are \u00a312.<\/p>\n If you\u2019ve heard of CrossFit<\/a>, you probably think it sounded intimidating. CrossFitters are infamous in the fitness world for being ultra-hench bodybuilder types, so maybe it was that reputation that made me feel slightly sick as I walked into Bath\u2019s CrossFit gym. It\u2019s known far and wide as a hard-core workout, but as a wedding<\/em> workout? I wasn\u2019t so sure.<\/p>\n As I quickly learned, though, my reservations were unfounded.<\/p>\n Talking to Ollie, CrossFit Bath\u2019s owner and my coach for the day, it became evident that I needn\u2019t be nervous about my first venture into a \u2018Box\u2019, as CrossFit gyms are sometimes called.<\/p>\n \u201cNo matter whether you\u2019re a professional athlete or a complete newbie to exercise, CrossFit is for anyone,\u201d Ollie is quick to assure me.<\/p>\n CrossFit is defined as constantly varied, functional movements performed at variable intensities. \u201cIt\u2019s about real world movements, teaching the body to move how it\u2019s designed,\u201d Ollie clarifies.<\/p>\n What doesn\u2019t<\/em> it target?\u00a0 The WOD (Workout of the Day) is CrossFit\u2019s signature class and is always well-rounded. There\u2019s also a big emphasis on variety. The hour-long class starts with a warm-up, moving onto a skill or strength element, followed by a workout.<\/p>\n \u201c[The workout section] can be 30 minutes one and day and 5 the next. We really do mix it up, keeping the body guessing and developing well rounded fitness and physique,\u201d says Ollie.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have a ton of fun; our goal is to make your CrossFit workout the best hour of your day.\u201d<\/p>\n Your membership entitles you to drop into the gym for an independent training session whenever you like so you can work on more specific things. You can also schedule one-to-one sessions with one of their coaches who can help create a wedding fitness plan just for you.<\/p>\n CrossFit gyms have a strong sense of community. That was immediately obvious to me when I walked into the Bath gym in the middle of a WOD class. The hugely diverse group of people there were of all fitness levels, but were still working as a strong team and motivating one another.<\/p>\n Ollie echoes this ethos strongly. \u201cThere are no egos,\u201d he says. \u201cNo prejudice, just like-minded people supporting each other daily \u2013 it\u2019s all about community.\u201d<\/p>\n What also makes it perfect for those looking to get wedding bod-ready is how tailored and personalised the exercises are. CrossFit gyms all have teams of coaches who will keep a close eye on you, track your progress, and help you to achieve your pre-wedding fitness goals.<\/p>\n \u201cOur programme is built on getting results,\u201d Ollie stresses. \u201cIf something doesn\u2019t work, we throw it out. We\u2019re constantly researching new ways to get people in the shape of their lives.\u201d<\/p>\n There are now 523 official CrossFit gyms around the UK and Ireland, all with their own pricing structures and introductory courses\/offers. You can find a CrossFit gym near you here<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"wedding](\"https:\/\/www.theweddingsecret.co.uk\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/barrecore-1.jpg\")
\nChanging up your wedding workout is the way to go, according to experts<\/a>, and there is now a wealth of fitness classes out there to help you achieve your goals.<\/p>\nClass 1: Barrecore<\/h2>\n
![\"wedding](\"https:\/\/www.theweddingsecret.co.uk\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/barrecore-5.jpg\")
<\/p>\nSo what is<\/em> Barrecore?<\/h4>\n
What areas does it target?<\/strong><\/h4>\n
![\"wedding](\"https:\/\/www.theweddingsecret.co.uk\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/barrecore-3.jpg\")
<\/p>\nWhy it\u2019s great for brides-to-be<\/h4>\n
Where you can take it and how much it\u2019ll cost<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Class 2: Bikram Yoga<\/h2>\n
![\"wedding](\"https:\/\/www.theweddingsecret.co.uk\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/bikram-tt.jpg\")
<\/p>\nWhat areas does it target?<\/strong><\/h4>\n
![\"wedding](\"https:\/\/www.theweddingsecret.co.uk\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/BYB-2.jpg\")
<\/p>\nWhy it\u2019s great for brides-to-be<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Where you can take it and how much it\u2019ll cost<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Class 3: Broga<\/h2>\n
![\"wedding](\"https:\/\/www.theweddingsecret.co.uk\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/broga.jpg\")
<\/p>\nSo what is it doing on this list?<\/h4>\n
What areas does it target?<\/strong><\/h4>\n
![\"wedding](\"https:\/\/www.theweddingsecret.co.uk\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/broga-2.jpg\")
<\/p>\nWhy it\u2019s great for brides-to-be<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Where you can take it and how much it\u2019ll cost<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Class 4: CrossFit<\/h2>\n
![\"wedding](\"https:\/\/www.theweddingsecret.co.uk\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/crossfit.jpg\")
<\/p>\nWhat areas does it target?<\/strong><\/h4>\n
![\"wedding](\"https:\/\/www.theweddingsecret.co.uk\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/crossfit-2.jpg\")
<\/p>\nWhy it\u2019s great for brides-to-be<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Where you can take it and how much it\u2019ll cost<\/strong><\/h4>\n
![\"wedding](\"https:\/\/www.theweddingsecret.co.uk\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/circuits-2.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"wedding](\"https:\/\/www.theweddingsecret.co.uk\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/circuits.jpg\")
<\/p>\n