Buff Brides: The Complete Guide to Getting in Shape and Looking Great for Your Wedding Day [Paperback]

Sue Fleming (Author)

Book Description

Release date: January 15, 2002

From dumbbells to wedding bells . . .

Whether you have six months or just six weeks until your wedding day, Buff Brides is an invaluable must-have for every bride-to-be.

Buff Brides is a comprehensive, fully illustrated fitness book by a New York City personal trainer who has helped hundreds of brides get into shape over the past decade. Providing clear, concise instructions and photographs for each exercise, Sue Fleming knows what brides want the most. From toned triceps for sleeveless dresses to flat abs for the honeymoon bikini, Buff Brides provides results.

Why Buff Brides? Well, are you

• Running out of time? Buff Brides features a 12-week crash course as well as the 24-week
optimal program that works for any body type!

•Short on space? No need to panic—all of these exercises can be done right in your own
home, with minimal equipment.

•Stressing out? Helpful stress-relieving stretches will calm your pre-wedding jitters!

•Having sleeveless-dress anxiety? Easy-to-follow exercises will show you how to tone
your arms and make your back look fabulous!

•Concerned about a specific target area? From thighs to abs to triceps, Buff Brides has
the exercise for every bride-to-be’s problem area!

•About to settle for the first dress you see? Buff Brides offers helpful hints for choosing
a wedding dress that best suits your body type.


Incorporating fitness tips, motivational secrets, and wedding-planning reminders, Buff Brides will help you look great and make it to the altar on time.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Whether you want toned arms for your sleeveless gown or flat abs for your honeymoon bikini, certified trainer Sue Fleming can help you get in better shape for your wedding, even if you have only six months. This slim (106-page) book presents a six-month strength-training daily workout guide with cardio recommendations and a "crash program" if there’s only 12 weeks before the wedding. The strength-training exercises are basic, beginning workouts using dumbbells, stability ball, step, and ankle weights, all clearly explained and illustrated.

The cardio recommendations are very general--for instance, 75 minutes per week for weeks five and six, doing one or two activities that raise your heart rate for most of your workout, which should last at least 25 minutes. Sadly, Fleming runs through just a few ways (walking, running, and biking) to get aerobic exercise, but doesn't explore the huge array of cardio options or give much detail on this essential fitness component. Recommended for beginning exercisers who are committed to following a regular program and need specific strength-training exercises. --Joan Price

From the Inside Flap

From dumbbells to wedding bells . . .

Whether you have six months or just six weeks until your wedding day, Buff Brides is an invaluable must-have for every bride-to-be.

Buff Brides is a comprehensive, fully illustrated fitness book by a New York City personal trainer who has helped hundreds of brides get into shape over the past decade. Providing clear, concise instructions and photographs for each exercise, Sue Fleming knows what brides want the most. From toned triceps for sleeveless dresses to flat abs for the honeymoon bikini, Buff Brides provides results.

Why Buff Brides? Well, are you

? Running out of time? Buff Brides features a 12-week crash course as well as the 24-week
optimal program that works for any body type!

?Short on space? No need to panic?all of these exercises can be done right in your own
home, with minimal equipment.

?Stressing out? Helpful stress-relieving stretches will calm your pre-wedding jitters!

?Having sleeveless-dress anxiety? Easy-to-follow exercises will show you how to tone
your arms and make your back look fabulous!

?Concerned about a specific target area? From thighs to abs to triceps, Buff Brides has
the exercise for every bride-to-be?s problem area!

?About to settle for the first dress you see? Buff Brides offers helpful hints for choosing
a wedding dress that best suits your body type.


Incorporating fitness tips, motivational secrets, and wedding-planning reminders, Buff Brides will help you look great and make it to the altar on time.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Villard; 1 edition (January 15, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0375758550
• ISBN-13: 978-0375758553
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 0.4 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (46 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #357,190 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

55 of 55 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars My Pants Are Falling Off May 24, 2002

By njbookworm

Format:Paperback

I've been doing the "Buff Brides" workout for 1.5 weeks now and already feel more energetic and, well, buff. Yesterday, my pants kept slipping down!

The book, complete with large, black and white pictures, is arranged by exercise group (e.g. butt, arms, back, abs), allowing you to pick and choose which area(s) you would like to focus on. Detailed instructions are listed for each exercise.

What I like is that this book encourages a healthy lifestyle by promoting moderation. The author discourages straining muscles or going on a starvation diet.

The book assumes that you have both little time and little space to work out. As such, most of the strength training exercises can be completed in approximately 1/2 hour in a very small space.

Frankly, I would rather eat a bag of broken glass than exercise. However, this workout is high-impact enough to get results, but easy enough to keep my interest.

My only criticism has to do with the construction of the book. The book is very tightly bound. As such, it's difficult to hold the book open *&* concentrate on your form, especially when you're learning new excercises. Ring binding is a must for the next edition!

36 of 37 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars I'm not even a bride, and I LOVE this workout!!! March 24, 2004

By S. Lamparello

Format:Paperback

I purchased this book a few years ago when I was working part time in a bookstore. At the time I was in a relationship and thought I might be a bride someday soon, and I wanted a workout that would give me tone (I don't need to lose a lot of weight, just firm and strengthen those muscles that give us trouble once we hit 25...) and help me feel more energized. Well, the relationship broke up and I put the book on the shelf and forgot about it.

Until a few weeks ago, when I was visiting a friend and we watched an episode of the "Buff Brides" show on TV. After watching the trainers instruct the brides-to-be, and seeing the great results, I remembered I had this book at home. Even though I am nowhere near being a bride, getting in better shape is never a bad thing, right?! So as soon as I returned home I dug the book out and started looking at the exercises. I realized I already had almost everything I would need to get started on the program...I had 3 lb and 5 lb weights, and a sturdy coffee table and chair to use in place of the aerobic stepper they show in the book...and after a quick trip to Target for a very inexpensive exercise ball I was all set. (I even got a great workout using the hand pump to inflate the exercise ball!!!)

I've only been doing this workout for 1 week now but I absolutely LOVE it!! I can already feel my arms and legs getting stronger and more toned. I commute to work and have about 30 minutes of walking time from the Metro to my office...so I have started wearing my sneakers and making that walk part of my workout plan too. My HUGE problem area is my tummy, so I expect it will take a little longer to see results there. And I love the fact that I don't have to starve myself, I have always tried to eat sensibly anyway and I can just continue to do that with this workout. And as soon as it gets warm enough out I also plan to start rollerblading (something I saw one of the brides on the show doing) to supplement the workouts.

I am NOT one to exercise, the thought of going to a gym is so foreign to me...and like everyone I have little free time. These workouts take around 30 minutes a day, 3 or 4 times a week, and require very little space. I love them so much I don't want to skip the day in between...so on those days I do extra exercises for my tummy, which the book specifically says is a muscle group that can be exercised every day. I especially love that the book advises you to rest your muscles, and not exercise yourself to the point of pain. After the first day I did feel some soreness in a few muscles I hadn't used in a long time (mainly triceps) but that quickly went away.

I could go on forever so I will end here by saying if you are a bride-to-be, or just someone who wants to get into better shape and hopefully shed a few pounds too, BUY THIS BOOK!!!! I agree that the book should be spiral bound though, it is a little difficult to get it to sit flat while doing the exercises.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Program That Actually Works!!!! July 9, 2003

By "springbride03"

Format:Paperback

This book is great! I hate working out and am the type of person who avoids it at all costs. This book gave me no excuses. The program does not require a lot of space, nor does it require a large investment in time or pricey equipment to do these exercises. I could do the workout at my convenience in the privacy of my own home. Now who can find excuses with flexibility like that? The exercises were explained well and the book was very easy to follow. The workout switches up from week to week so it doesn't get boring. I LOVED the results I achieved, and the fact it didn't take forever to start noticing the improvement (another key element to keeping me motivated).

I received so many compliments from friends who said things like "I wish I had the arms to be able to wear a dress like that" and "You are so lucky to have a nice back so you can wear that style". Believe me, I looked like an over-stuffed sausage in that dress when I first tried it on. We all know how slimming white is anyway. It was my dream dress though, and thanks to this book I was able to look the way I should have looked in it. I can't say enough good things about the Buff Brides workout. My husband is quite happy with the results too. ;)