Many brides enroll in bride-specific Bridal Boot Camp classes to ensure they will be in their best shape by the time the Big Day rolls around. But do brides actually shape up before their weddings? Jacob Bellonzi, of Train with Jake, took some time to answer a few of the key questions on every bride’s mind.

Do bridal boot camps work?

Obviously, before a bride enrolls in a bridal boot camp, she needs to believe it will actually work. Bellonzi says there are many factors that influence a bride’s success; everything from the specific type of program to hormone levels, gender, age, and sleeping and eating patterns will greatly affect success.

Bellonzi assures us that his camps work, but cautions that  bridal boot camps are as diverse as the people in them.  Brides not only need to like the style of the camp, but they need to research the trainers, choosing one with fitness training education and the experience to back it up.

Can brides lose a significant amount of weight?

Bellonzi says the ability to lose significant weight varies. Diet is by far the greatest contributing factor. Cutting calories is just as important as burning them, and diet provides the necessary nutritional building blocks for fitness success. The bride’s “starting fitness level” also affects her overall weight loss. Bellonzi says his participants do drop significant weight, if they have weight to lose and they show up and work hard.

Is there a benefit to working out with a group?

Bellonzi thinks that working one-on-one with a personal trainer is an option that just cannot be topped for brides looking to tone up and trim down for their weddings. However, if private training is not in your budget range, then working out with a group gives each individual what Bellonzi calls, “undeniable power and motivation in the camaraderie of group fitness.”

Are there bonding benefits to help de-stress brides?

Bellonzi says, “Absolutely! The brides end up being each others’ greatest cheerleaders, often continuing long-term friendships outside of boot camp.”

Will the weight loss last?

The only way to ensure the weight loss lasts is to change your lifestyle. Bellonzi advises that brides should expect to continue maintenance if they want to keep the body they worked so hard to achieve.

So if you’re a bride-to-be and want your best body before the Big Day, lace up your sneakers and be prepared to work! You just might make some lifelong friends along the way.