This week’s #FitnessFriday is about flattening your abs and strengthening your core.  Don’t worry — our fitness expert and founder of Bridalicious Bootcamp, Doug Rice is back this week to help.

This week’s question comes from bride-to-be Iris:

Doug, suggests an “up-down plank” to help flatten your abs.  Follow the instructions below and watch the video for more exercises that will also help trim your waist line.

What You’ll Need

• You don’t need any equipment — just a mat or a soft, carpeted area and your own body weight!

How To Do It

• Lie on your stomach with your legs straight, feet together and forearms on the ground underneath your chest. Clench your fists.
• Draw in your belly button and squeeze your booty muscles.
• Lift your body off the floor and form straight line from head to toe, keeping your forearms on the ground.
• Lift your right forearm off the ground and into a push-up position with your hand on the ground and your arm extended; follow by doing the same on the left side. Then return your right forearm to the ground; follow with the left forearm.
• Keep straightening your arms and immediately returning to your elbows one side at a time in an up-and-down movement.
• Continue as rapidly as possible for 20 seconds. Rest for 10 seconds and then repeat for a total of eight times.

Don’t forget to tweet your questions at @theknot and @bridalicious using the hashtag #FitnessFriday to have a chance to have your questions featured next week!

> What’s up with Bridalicious Bootcamp? Read about it here

> Buy the Bridalicious Bootcamp DVD

> Start the 14-day Sweet & Sexy Slim Down February challenge

Trying to figure out the best way to get fit before your wedding, but not exactly sure where to start? Look no further, because Doug Rice (creator of Bridalicious Boot Camp) is here to help. For the next 30 days, Doug will be hosting a get-fit challenge within our community on his very own, (and new!) board. The Bridalicious 30-Day Get-Fit Challenge board will be a place where you can get support from other brides, as well as expert advice from Doug.

Need nutrition and diet advice? We have that covered, too. Doug will be bringing in a nutrition expert to help answer all your diet questions to help jump-start your wedding shape-up program. Plus, you will have a chance to win prizes including fitness gear and the popular Bridalicious Boot Camp by The Knot DVD set. The challenge starts today, September 17th, so make sure to join us!

> Join the community board

> Check out the Bridalicious Boot Camp gear!