Getting in shape to fit into the staple little black dress has become a top priority for most of us. So, no matter what your style or shape, your little black dress workout is sorted with Fitness First master trainer Ana Monteiro’s expert tips.

From sleeveless to halter and short to bodycon, the list of styles is endless. According to Ana, it’s quite important to think about your body and how you want to look in any dress (not just the little black one), so consider seeing a fitness professional. “A good fitness trainer will carry out a body mass and measurement assessment and from there you can set realistic and achievable goals.”

Ana has been whipping women into shape at Fitness First for almost four years now, and over this time, she has found herself somewhat of a ‘little black dress workout expert’, inundated with clients asking for body transformations ahead of special occasions. As a fan of the little black dress, I think she is perfectly placed to ensure you look both fit and healthy for any occasion.

Ana favors superset workouts where you combine areas of the body, increasing toning and raising the heart rate- all of which help with everyone’s end goal, fat burn. Upper body and abs go hand in hand, as do legs and glutes, meaning if you follow these pairings you won’t be restricted to one style of dress, not just for festivities, but for any occasion.

Little Black Dress Workout That Promises Results

Corset Style Dress

A firm favorite during special occasions or outings, this dress requires attention to the hip line, especially if you are planning on covering your arms and not showing any specific area. Try focusing on full-body workouts, like T.U.F.F classes at Fitness First. T.U.F.F can burn up to 800 calories at a time, and as a class that moves through the three planes of motion, it is an excellent full-body workout.

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Strapless / Halter neck

For a style that showcases the upper body, your desired result after the little black dress workout will be lean with a toned look. To work on your shoulders, concentrate on back rowing and chest presses, do not worry about bicep curls, and only work out your triceps a small amount. Again, look to be doing 4-5 sets of 20 reps. Concentrate on your large muscle groups such as chest, shoulders, and back to draw some lines.

Fit ‘n’ Flare

A figure-hugging dress highlighting the commonly problematic area of the stomach. Abs may be a goal out of reach for many, however, Ana Monteiro insists it can be achieved. “I always finish the upper body workout with a session of planks and abdominal crunches. 4-5 sets consisting of a minute-long plank and 20 abdominal crunches.” In addition, this is often followed by 20 minutes of interval cardiovascular training to get that all over work out.

Pro Tip: An invigorating way to tackle abs is Pilates – a form of low-impact exercise aimed at strengthening muscles, mostly targeting the core. Consider trying Pilates classes at Fitness First which are designed to help you look and feel your best.

Short Dresses

If you are someone that prefers the shorter cut dress, you can give your legs an unforgettable appearance with exercises that tone the quads and calf muscles. Toning is all about body composition – less body fat and more muscle. To get stunning toned legs, try little black dress workout exercises like jumping squats, squat presses, lunges, leg raises, deadlifts and bench presses. These will help mobilize your muscles and burn those extra unwanted calories.

Pro Tip: Skipping is a great exercise for the shorter-styled dress. Not only does it tone your legs, but it also serves as a cardio workout too. A short 10-15 minutes of skipping on a daily basis will do wonders for both your legs and overall fitness.

Alongside these little black dress workout exercises, Ana Monteiro is passionate about ensuring nutrition complements your workouts as it is not enough to just exercise. “If you crash diet with high energy expenditure you could collapse, and your body will start to store fat and lose muscle. You need great nutritional advice and to drink lots of water to slow down inflammation.”