Determined to lick that bridal body into shape? Get stuck into one of Cornwall’s hottest fitness trends and prepare for some ravishing results. Let WED whet your appetite…
The problem with fitness is perception. We assume that any attempt to lose weight or tone up will involve teeth grit, profuse sweating and pain (not to mention the potential public humiliation factor).

With a vast array of options to suit any personality, aspiration and time and money constraint, you no longer have to just hit the gym and go through the treadmilled motions in order to shape up. Interacting with an activity mentally and physically is the key to health and conditioning – and the bottom line is that if you enjoy it, it will become easier and more effective.

Cornwall is a hot spot for action. Arguably the leisure capital of the nation, it offers an energising mix of beach chilled, adrenaline high and outdoor adventure. We have compiled a series of fitness fixes that should hit the sporting spot, whatever your tastes and abilities, whether you want to shed a few pounds, sculpt your curves, vent some steam or escape for some pre-nuptials stress busting.

Fitness Fix: Kick Boxing
Best for: Beating it out of your system
WED recommends: Nothing but the best. Crowned with her fifth world title, Thai kick boxing champ Julie Kitchen runs a selection of classes and sessions at Touchgloves Gym in Penzance. Practice your punches and high kicks at the women’s bag work boxing class on a Friday night and finish up with a round of abs circuits. Bust out your moves in the company of your man on a Tuesday evening with mixed classes of more muscle tautening moves, and hone your skills and heighten fitness with private daytime classes that are expertly tailored to your needs.
www.touchgloves.co.uk



Fitness Fix: Personal Trainer
Best for: The motivationally challenged  
WED recommends: Getting sweaty with surf and skate don and fully qualified health and fitness all rounder, Stef Harkon. From Dogtown to the beach and stints in the gym, Stef’s unique brand of training and experience of fitness guarantees results across all levels, ages and abilities whilst promising a laugh amongst workouts.
Another specialist in his field, and with experience in weight management and nutrition, swimming coaching and sports specific training, Lee Stanbury’s wholly personable and versatile repertoire should be all the fitness fix you need.
harkon4@hotmail.com
getfit@cornwallpt.co.uk

Fitness Fix: Surfing
Best for: Getting wet and wild
WED recommends: Booking yourself in for some oceanic action with Hibiscus Surf School, which is run by and designed especially for women. Go for half or full day sessions or even opt for a hen weekend on the waves. There’s a reason why surfer types look so drop dead fit and that’s because it’s one of the best sports for fitness and figure sculpting, not to mention an adrenaline charged ride like no other. For a relaxed and fun foray into the world of surfing – the ultimate rush our Celtic oceans have to offer – bag some sex wax and hit the water with the Hibiscus girls.
www.hibiscussurfschool.co.uk



Fitness Fix: Hip Hop Dancing
Best for: Beat boxers and bump’n’grinders
WED recommends: Making your moves at the cream of contemporary dance schools, Fiona Richardson’s acclaimed The Big Dance Company. Offering a variety of classes in freestyle, slow dance, hip-hop, break dancing, cheerleading, ballet and lyrical, there’s a plethora of styles to suit any personality. The classes are available to all and sundry from the age of three right up to professional adult level. Whether you want to pop and lock or simply swish your behind to the beat, your body will feel the well-toned force of some energised dance exercise.
www.thebigdancecompany.com

Fitness Fix: Samba and Zumba
Best for: Hip thrusts and body shakes
WED recommends: Work out classes or hen parties that use all styles of dance for fun fitness sessions. Great for stamina and toning – specifically waistline and posture – Samba is a low impact, joint-friendly activity. In addition, it loosens the hips and shoulders and bolsters confidence and co-ordination in one fine, sociable swoop. With a warm up followed by a routine (perfected over a number of weeks) and a cool down and stretch to end, the moves you master could even be whipped out on your wedding day and any occasion thereafter. Also causing a stir across the county, Zumba is a dynamic fitness programme which fuses hypnotic Latin rhythms and easy to follow moves. Expect to burn calories, boost your fitness, tone those limbs and, most importantly, have serious fun.  
www.truroschoolofsamba.co.uk



Fitness Fix: Pilates
Best for: Arms and legs akimbo
WED recommends: Frequenting Dr Hannah Lloyd King’s brand spanking new Pilates Studio for small group or individual tuition. Perfect for firming, fitness, posture and rehabilitation, the programme is designed to suit your specific needs and goals. Proven to provide a wealth of benefits across the board of ages and fitness levels, especially with regards to strength and suppleness through studying the skeletal and musculature systems, Pilates elongates your frame by exercise, promoting the restoration of balance: something you’ll definitely appreciate during the run-up to your wedding.
www.bodyrestoration.co.uk



Fitness Fix: Power-Plate
Best for: Stepping up to it
WED recommends: High-speed vibration training at Just Vibes. Though it may sound like a game at an Ann Summer’s party, this form of exercise means that short bursts of activity are all you need for a little au naturel uplift and tummy tuck. Working with your body’s natural reflex mechanisms, the Power-Plate generates a continual stretch reflex known as the Tonic Vibration Reflex. Vibrating at 30-50 times a second, the muscles are stretched and contracted at high speed, utilising more muscle fibres than during other types of training. The method is especially good for the spinal and pelvic basin muscles, which will strengthen and stretch alongside the rest of your body.
www.just-vibes.co.uk

The Lifestyle Programme
Before you check out with the airline for your bikini-clad honeymoon, check out your BMI (Body Mass Index) and ditch some weight before your wedding day.  
If your index is 30 or more, you can join Lighter Life’s weight management programme that will personally cater for you in order to reduce your bodily statistics and weight. Delivering four nutritionally complete soups, shakes and bars every day, the programme is designed to safely and healthily encourage weight loss through diet management. You will need to submit a health questionnaire completed by your GP and attend weekly single-sex meetings to discuss the reasons for your weight gain and most pro-active modes of weight management. If your BMI is between 25-29.9 you can sign up for the Lighter Life Lite programme, which provides a low-calorie meal plus three soups, shakes and bars a day to help you decrease your index and flaunt the swimwear that will keep you and your hubby snap happy during the honeymoon and long after.
www.lighterlife.com/janbadger
www.lighterlife.com/alisonzutshi

words Hannah May

Copyright WED Magazine 2010