Welcome to "Wedding Week" on OnMilwaukee! Whether your wedding is right around the corner, or down the road, The Corners has just what you need to make your day extra special! 

The Big Day is on its way, so now’s the time to get sweaty if you want to shed a few stones, tone the wiggly parts or just maintain your weight. Exercise is also a rewarding way to relieve stress, which can build up while planning a wedding.

A healthy diet and drinking plenty of water are also keys to weight loss or  maintenance. So for best results, combine both with one or more of these workout programs.

The first step in picking a pre-matrimony work-out plan is to decide which one sounds the most fun – or the least excruciating, depending on your general attitude toward exercise. Does kickboxing sound more enjoyable to you? How about cycling?

In the past few years, Milwaukee welcomed myriad cutting-edge training facilities, so based on your interests, budget and location, there’s certainly something that will help you to look and feel terrific during the "I do’s" – and hopefully beyond.

Barre Code 
225 N. Water St.
(414) 763-1314

What is it? Barre classes mix elements of ballet, Pilates and yoga and are choreographed to motivating music.The Barre Code in Milwaukee offers a fitness program that incorporates cardiovascular conditioning, strength training and restoration, traditional barre, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), boot camp-style classes and cardio kickboxing.

Advice to brides and grooms: "We would recommend brides and grooms take advantage of all of our class styles to get a comprehensive, full-body workout and the best results," says owner Betsy Williamson.

Although the program and classes are specifically engineered for the female body, men are invited to attend this challenging workout, too.

How much does it cost? Your first visit is free with the promo code ONMKE. After that, you can try a month of unlimited classes for $80, and then the unlimited monthly auto-pay membership is $99 per month.

_{(PHOTO: Jen O'Hara)}

CycleBar 
(The Corners of Brookfield)
20350 W. Lord St., Brookfield
(262) 236-7967

What is it? A new indoor cycling concept that offers a high energy workout in a concert-like atmosphere with both music and videos. The studio offers luxury amenities like free towels, fresh fruit and aromatherapy during cool downs, personal performance tracking and downloadable playlists.

Advice to brides and grooms: "People who want to drop a dress or pants size for a wedding or another event need a good balanced diet as well as an active lifestyle with 45 minutes to an hour of cardio or other strength training every day," says David Pelsue, owner. "Our workouts are ideal for people who want time to pass quickly while having fun. Many people leave the room dripping wet and they say they can't believe the class was 45 minutes."

How much does it cost? New riders can try CycleBar for free and later buy packages of rides (5 for $69), unlimited rides for the month ($89) or drop-in rides for $22. Rates go up for experienced CycleBar riders. 

9Round Fitness
275 W. Wisconsin Ave., 2nd floor, (414) 751-6170
7954 Harwood Ave., suite 140, Wauwatosa, (414) 395-8545 

What is it? 9Round is a 30-minute, kickboxing-themed fitness program that features functional, interval, cardiovascular and circuit training regimens. The programs consist of nine, three-minute challenging workout stations (with 30 second intervals in between) developed by a world champion kickboxer.

Advice to brides and grooms: "We recommend people who want to see optimum results to come three or four times a week," says owner Delia Luna. "We don’t have class times or appointments, people can show up at any time and do the workout with a trainer, so it fits into every person’s schedule."

How much does it cost? $289 includes all of the equipment needed: boxing gloves, hand wraps, heart rate monitor (valued at $99), gym bag, water bottle and a nutrition guide. After the initial investment, it’s $89 a month for unlimited workouts with a trainer.

OrangeTheory
4155 N. Oakland Ave., (414) 930-4545

15375 W. Bluemound Rd., Brookfield, Shoppes At Brookfield Commons, (262) 439-8402 

What is it? OrangeTheory workouts include 60-minutes of small group personal training based on high intensity interval training (HIIT) that blend cardiovascular and strength training. Individuals wear a heart-rate monitor designed to stimulate metabolism and increase energy. Group support and encouragement is an integral part of the experience.

Advice for brides and grooms: "Work out three or four times per week or more if possible and get setup on a good diet," says president Kevin Scharnek. "Before a wedding or big event people need to feel supported, which they will feel at OrangeTheory."

Why is it called "OrangeTheory?" It’s based on the concept of the "orange effect" which maximizes excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC) and is sometimes called the "afterburn." There are five zones in an OrangeThoery workout and the "orange zone" is the goal. "This is your uncomfortable zone, which creates EPOC. You should stay in this zone for 12 to 20 minutes of your workout," says Scharnek.

How much does it cost? A free intro class is available for anyone interested. After that, it’s a month-to-month agreement – no long-term contracts. Basic (four classes a month) costs $59; Elite (eight classes a month) is $99; and Premier (unlimited) is $159. "We are on the only studio that offers 100 percent money-back guarantee if you don’t see results in the first 30 days," says Scharnek. "We’ve never given a refund."

SPIRE Fitness
102 N. Water St., (414) 219-9118

What is it? SPIRE Fitness offers cycling, rowing and TRX for strength classes in a new facility in the Historic Third Ward. Read more about a cycling class here.

Advice for brides and grooms: We recommend participating in a number of class formats for best results," says owner Hubie Krawczyk. "This cross training amongst the class formats will give you the best benefits. Our goal-oriented plans will assist you in reaching your personal goals."

How much is it? Clients can purchase a three-month or 12-month membership that costs $135 per month or there's an option to pay $1,300.00 up front. Individual classes are $20. A complimentary fitness assessment is included with purchase of a package.

BrewCity CrossFit
1539 W. St Paul Ave., (414) 207-7851

What is it? CrossFit combines a wide variety of functional movements – including pull-ups, squats, push-ups, weightlifting, gymnastics, running and rowing, into a timed workout. It's ideal for people who like a lot of variety in their workout.

Advice for brides and grooms: "We start everyone who is new to CrossFit with six introductory classes to learn the fundamental movements of CrossFit and how to perform them," says owner / trainer Andy Drobac. "If the timeline is a little shorter, we recommend our Capacity class. Plus, it’s a huge stress reliever and a much needed break from the pressures of seating charts, invitations and florists."

How much does this cost? The first class is free. After that, memberships range from $90-$140 a month and include unlimited access to all of the classes as well as nutrition advice from a coach.

"We've helped dozens of couples get in the best shape of their lives, including many who met at our gym. We even recently had two members get engaged at the gym, and another couple got married at BrewCity CrossFit," says Drobac.