Abs: Workouts for Buff Brides

Corset Bodices

When it comes to waist management on your wedding day, the structure and material of your dress's bodice is what really counts. A corset-style bodice, for example, typically either has vertical "boning" (plastic or even metal rods) that extends from under your bust straight to your hips or a firmly structured stomach panel with a rigid, supportive back closure (a zipper, tie closure, stream of buttons, or combination thereof). Both can literally shrink the circumference of your waist, making it look longer and leaner, and provide a secure structure that can hold the dress up on your body without straps. (Thanks, gravity!)

Does that mean you don't have to work your abs if you're wearing a corset dress? Nice try -- you'll be that much more comfortable (and confident!) on W-Day if you do. (Plus, if your dress is strapless, there's bulging of a different kind to consider.)

Our 10 Favorite Core Exercises

Extra Help for Strapless Dresses: Beat Bra Bulge