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Fitness

Four easy exercises to get you into your little party dress

Rock your tightest frock just in time for the holidays with our ultimate kick-butt pre-celebration workout.
By Alanna Glassman
Lucinda sequin fitted dress, French Connection

Lucinda Sequin Fitted Dress, French Connection

4 easy moves for your little party dress

Bridge leg lifts

Lie on back with knees bent, palms down, feet hip-width apart. Press into heels and lift hips up. Keeping hips square, raise one leg to a 45-degree angle. Squeeze glutes and hold for three counts. Do 10 reps. Switch sides.

Perfect your form:
Engage core to keep hips level.

Dial it down:
Skip the leg lifts and hold bridge pose for three counts. Do 10 reps.

Amp it up:
Sneak in a few pulses when leg is extended. 

Four easy exercises to get you into your little party dress(Photo by Roberto Caruso)

Heel reaches

Lie on back with knees bent, arms straight, feet hip-width apart. Activate core and lift chest off floor. Reach right hand toward right ankle, then left hand toward left ankle. Do 20 reps, alternating sides each time.

Perfect your form: Keep neck long and shoulders away from ears.

Dial it down: 
Do fewer reps.

Amp it up: 
Lift legs up to a 45-degree angle to engage your lower abs. 

Four easy exercises to get you into your little party dress(Photo by Roberto Caruso)

Shoulder-press lunge

Step into a forward lunge, holding weights at ear level with arms bent, palms facing forward. Stay in the lunge, engage core and raise arms straight overhead. Do 10 shoulder presses. Switch legs and do 10 more.

Perfect your form: Avoid locking elbows or scrunching up shoulders during presses.

Dial it down: Perform presses while seated.

Amp it up: Increase reps or grab heavier weights. 

Four easy exercises to get you into your little party dress(Photo by Roberto Caruso)

Superwoman swim

Lie on stomach with arms out in front and legs straight behind, both shoulder-width apart. Lift arms and legs simultaneously just a few inches off the floor, and flutter both for three counts, as if swimming on dry land. Do 10 reps on each side.

Perfect your form: Pull belly button toward spine.

Dial it down: Lift and flutter arms, then legs.

Amp it up: Lift arms and legs higher and increase reps. 

Follow the jump to see 20 holiday party dresses to slip into post-workout.

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Four easy exercises to get you into your little party dress(Photo by Roberto Caruso)

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