Your big day’s finally coming, and the last thing you need to do before walking down the aisle is shed some pounds. But it’s just so hard to get off that couch and into the gym, isn’t it?

Have no fear bride-to-be—there is a fun, safe way to exercise before you say, “I do.” Take a cue from “Zodiaction: The First-Ever Workout Program Based On Your Astrological Sign,” by fitness instructor Ellen Barrett and astrologer Barrie Dolnick, and let your zodiac sign be your aerobic inspiration.

According to “Zodiaction,” each of the 12 Zodiac signs corresponds to a body part and an aerobic trait. In their book, Barrett and Dolnick combine fitness with astrology to create easy workout routines for anyone to use. “As a personal trainer, I always found out what sign my clients were on the first session,” says Barrett. “Then, I somewhat unconsciously took their sign into consideration when dealing with them and designing workouts. I think it was a major factor to their wellness success.” Wondering what kind of workout works best with your astrological sign? Here are some of Barrett and Dolnick’s tips for every sign of the zodiac.

Aries (March 21-April 19) – The ram of the zodiac, Aries is always lost in thought and known for speaking her mind. It’s no surprise that a feisty Aries rules the cranium and head. The best exercise is one that allows an Aries to blow off steam. “Intense cardio is ideal, like a long bike ride—but wear a helmet,” says Barrett. A high-energy, independent sign, Aries thrives on freedom, which is why cardio exercises such as running, hiking and rollerblading also work for you.

Downfall: Aries hates, hates haaaates stretching, viewing it as a waste of time. But it’s important to stretch before exercising to avoid injury. So, just before you begin your more rigorous fitness routine, engage in slow movements to avoid lactic acid buildup in the body.

Avoid: Wussy workouts. You’re not a fan of anything wimpy or too gentle. “Aries needs challenge,” says Barrett.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) – Taurus rules the neck and throat but also the “rear end.” You love the couch! Taurus is known for being easygoing and practical but, unfortunately, the stubborn bull of the Zodiac is “the laziest sign and the biggest homebody,” says Barrett. You do well with home gyms and workout DVDs, as well as personal trainers who make house calls. Let’s just say you’re also not a fan of pushy aerobics instructors—boot camp fitness just isn’t your game. You thrive on a workout that is thorough and gentle. You work best at a moderate pace, so try walking (NO running or sprinting) and stay away from deep inclines. If you prefer equipment, you benefit best from 45 minutes of low-key, fat-burning training, such as a Stairmaster or elliptical machine set at a steady pace.

Avoid: Complicated choreography. Just work out to get the job done. 

Gemini (May 21-June 20) – Gemini is represented by twins. There are two sides of your personality and you tend to love gossip and social activity. Gemini rules the arms and lungs, so the best exercise is mentally engaging and not too long in duration. An engaging exercise for you also needs to have a touch of cardio to keep your lungs healthy. Gemini gets bored easily, so you may work out best with a buddy—it’s nice to have someone by your side. Best aerobics: ballet and tennis. Because Geminis crave change and get bored easily, they work out best in spurts—one day you’ll want to run, the next day rollerblade, and the next day take a yoga class. And that’s fine—you DON’T need to commit to one routine. FYI: Geminis are full of energy, so try and avoid coffee and candy—anything with stimulants—whenever you can. Also, do NOT eat on the run. This means don’t eat and walk, don’t eat and drive, don’t eat and read, and so on. You’re always on the move, but that doesn’t mean your food should be as well.

Avoid: Anything monotonous. Boredom is NOT your thing. If you work with a personal trainer, work with one who “shakes things up” with your workout, but is also chatty.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) – The most maternal sign of the zodiac, Cancer is very perceptive of other’s feelings. Because you are so maternal, it comes as no surprise that the sign of Cancer rules the breast and skin. “I know when Cancer is working out wrong (either too little or too much) because acne shows up on the face or chest, or the Cancer gets a rash of some sort,” says Barrett. Ruled by the moon, Cancers are extremely sensitive and pick up emotional “dirt” that can wreak havoc on the skin. So working up a sweat in a fitness routine can actually benefit your skin. Because of your tendency to want to help others, a walk-a-thon or fundraising race can easily motivate you—when you’re not in one of your lazy moods. Cancers—the first water sign of the zodiac—thrive in swim-aerobic classes that are not too risky and don’t require much thought. According to Barrett, another great workout for a Cancer is a fluid Pilates class that accentuates graceful movement.

Avoid: Noisy workout centers. Although charming, Cancer is one of the most self-conscious signs of the zodiac. You’re better off avoiding crowded gyms. And because you’re so sensitive, the last thing you need is a competitive workout buddy.

Leo (July 23—August 22) – Ruled by the sun, Leos are independent firecrackers who like to be admired and really shouldn’t go to the gym just to show-off their cute, new fitness outfits. When it comes to fitness, the best exercise for a Leo is power yoga, as it combines flexibility training with intensity. Because Leo rules the back, Pilates is also great for the lioness. Pilates allows a Leo to stretch her back, the place where she holds her tension. “Leos can work out every day,” says Barrett. “But they cannot do the same thing every day.” Repetition sucks the life out of you, so one day work out indoors, and the next day work out outdoors. Leos love attention (Jennifer Lopez and Madonna are Leos), and will work extra hard if they are having fun with a fitness routine, and getting star treatment. A personal trainer needs to praise, praise, praise a Leo, which will motivate her to work, work, work!

Avoid: One-dimensional workouts. You need all three fitness components in your workout: cardio, strength (back training that helps posture) and stretch (toning). You are the least self-conscious sign of the zodiac, but avoid working TOO hard.

Virgo (August 23-Sept 22) – Virgo rules the body’s digestive track. Slightly picky, but well-grounded, earthy and modest, Virgos need totally efficient, full-body conditioning with a concentration on the abdominals. The best exercise for a Virgo is hatha yoga or Bikram yoga. Both have lots of spine twists that aid digestion and help detox the gut. Yoga is very motivating for a Virgo! Cardio is great for a Virgo because it helps her shake off all the thoughts racing through her mind. You also benefit from biking, swimming, elliptical training and anything else that keeps you on track. Virgos need to focus when it comes to fitness. You cannot under any circumstance work out with a complainer! You need to feel relaxed and independent when at the gym.

Avoid: Dirty gyms. Virgos are the germaphobes of the zodiac. Smelly, crowded locker rooms stress you out big-time. And if you work out with a trainer, that person must be well-dressed and neat, organized and a little nitpicky—something you secretly love!

Libra (September 23-October 22) – The sign of justice and balance, Libra rules the kidneys and the lower back. Be sure to hydrate before, during and after workout to keep those kidneys functioning optimally. Because Libras like balance and tranquility, the best workout is one that creates perfect proportions, like dance, yoga or a combination of both. Incredibly charming and smart, Libras crave balance and become off-balance and somewhat clumsy when they are stressed out. Stretch and balance work well with low-impact cardio to quiet the Libra mind and strengthen her inner balance and serenity. Libras have a tendency to walk with style and grace, and ballet and stretches are perfect for maintaining posture and working the lower body and hips. Libras like to look nice and clean, so low-impact walking or cross-training that won’t make a Libra drown in sweat is a great way to stay trim. Avoid: Muscle Beach. Exaggerated bodies scare you. Anything that creates a silhouette that’s not natural (like body builders) turns you off.

Scorpio (October 23 –November 21) – Scorpios rule the pelvis. It’s kept hush-hush, but Scorpios are very sexual because of this. The ideal workout for a Scorpio is one that induces an endorphin release—something like circuit training or sprint-walk combos on the track. An intense and passionate sign, the ideal workout for a Scorpio is one that requires extreme effort, such as ballet, long-distance running, triathlons and any other sport that requires you to push yourself. Like an Aries, you love a challenge, but you need to overcome that challenge in the least stressful way. However, you don’t need to engage in extreme sports to feel that intense satisfaction. And while you need a challenge, you also must avoid exhaustion. You work out best when you engage in exercises that require you to stand up.

Avoid: Working out with others. Go solo if possible. Like a Scorpion, you can be irritated and possessive when your personal space is invaded.

Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) – A half-man, half-horse who traverses the sky with a bow and arrow, Sagittarius seeks adventure and hates feeling trapped. Sagittarius rules the thighs, which is no surprise because you are always on the run and love exploring. Hiking, biking or running in the great outdoors is ideal for you. You love the freedom of nature. Sometimes it can be a challenge for you to get things done—that includes your fitness routine—because the world is such an interesting place for you, and you get distracted easily. Sagittarius is the least likely of all the signs to stick to a day-in, day-out fitness routine. You need variation, a change of scenery and a reason to move in order for you to feel free. Your exercise needs to have a point—conditioning for a bike trip, getting in shape for your wedding, or running along a path under the stars. You cannot stand boring, repetitive workouts.

Avoid: The gym. Get outside! If you go to the gym, you’ll just find yourself dreaming about a vacation or your next big adventure. And the monotony? Not for you!

Capricorn (December 22 – January 19) – Capricorns are hardworking, get-the-job-done types. Associated with goats, Capricorns are realists who scale great heights to get to what they want, moving at the cautious, determined pace of a goat to reach their goal. It’s no surprise that Capricorns rule the knees, but also the skin and skeleton. An ideal workout for a Capricorn is climbing a mountain or hiking. Your workout should have a long duration, as Capricorn thrives on a steady pace (no sprinting!) and long-term cardio (90 minutes or more). Capricorns need a personal trainer who understands anatomy and can help them avoid knee injury at all costs. Any activity you engage in needs to have an endpoint, such as the top of a peak, because you NEED to hit that mark. Because you are ruled by the planet Saturn, you are way too hard on yourself. Just relax and be careful and watch those knees and your skin—under stress you can break out and your joints will ache if you work too hard. Just relax, you’ll get there. And don’t ever ignore any skin or joint pain.

Avoid: High-impact aerobics. “The knees can’t take it,” says Barrett.

Aquarius (January 20-February 18) – Many people assume Aquarius—the water-carrier—is a water sign, but that’s incorrect. Aquarius is actually an air sign. The water-bearing figure pours water from a large urn into our world, feeding us ideas and innovation. The always-questioning Aquarius rules the ankles and possesses leadership qualities (Oprah Winfrey is an Aquarius). Because you rule the lower legs and ankles, unfortunately, you are prone to strains. Shin splints may be a problem. Thus, the ideal workout for you is complete body stretching. You need to feel jazzed and thrive on aerobics that help you feel grounded and alive. “Exercise needs to feel restorative,” says Barrett of the Aquarius. Spiritual and extremely intuitive, Aquarians are attracted to personal trainers who have some interest in astrology or spiritual matters. You also pick up vibes and energy with ease, so you need to work out in a place that feels right to you.

Fitness can be hard for you because you’d rather learn about your body and health than actually do something physical with your body. The best workout plan for an Aquarian is to just do something every day. It’s that simple.

Avoid: Any kind of fad fitness. It’s just not your thing. Also avoid “anything too physically draining,” says Barrett.

Pisces (February 19-March 20) – Idealistic, spiritual and somewhat naïve (but in a good, innocent way), Pisces rules the feet. Like Cancer and Scorpio, Pisces is a water sign, so seated meditation and swimming are ideal workouts, as the Pisces needs to “baby” her feet and tends to work poorly with impact of any kind, “except maybe a short walk,” says Barrett. Your feet are so important because they carry you where you want to go.

Also, Pisces are very sensitive to the goings-on of life, so they definitely need de-stressing exercise. The very last sign of the zodiac, you are the embodiment of the phrase “still waters run deep,” and are appropriately represented by the fish, of course! When working out with trainers, make sure they are in tune with your needs and provide you with a full-body program. You can work out with a focused buddy, but in truth, you’re the type who views exercise as your “alone” time. Yoga with lots of single-nostril breathing is also great, but similar to a Cancer, swimming or walking on a treadmill with a gorgeous view outside is really more your thing.

Avoid: Competitive sports and working out to loud, fast-paced music.

Now that you know what fitness routine is best for you, get to work! But just so you know: If you want some bonding time with your fiancé and your bridesmaids before the wedding music plays, you can never go wrong with walking. “Walking is the most universal workout—all signs can do a 30 minute walk without harm,” says Barrett. Walking can also be social—instead of meeting friends over drinks, meet in the park for a walk! It will help everyone involved in your wedding unwind!

While it’s normal and extremely common for brides to want to engage in a fitness routine before marriage, avoid going overboard. Barrett says the worst thing to do is take diet pills, starve, go on a radical diet or rely solely on dieting without exercise. “Exercise makes brides feel and look better even if the scale says they are the same weight,” she notes. So avoid the urge to do anything drastic before your wedding day.

Barrett says one month is a good time frame to prepare to eliminate your last five pounds and fit into your dress without any more alterations. “The best thing to do is increase the duration of cardio to 90 minutes, five or six days per week. That’ll really get the fat-burning going,” she notes. Couple that with drinking more water, and you’ll be slimmer. And, most importantly, just relax.

“I love working with brides because they are so motivated and they never flake on training sessions!” says Barrett. “I think brides like “Zodiaction” because it adds an interesting layer to exercise.” You’ve got star quality (literally), bride-to-be…work it!