Friday, April 2, 2010

Bare your arms with pride!


It's that time of year...the sun is shining, the temperatures are warming up and we are packing up the bulky winter clothes and exchanging them for smaller, sleeker spring and summer duds. And you know what that means: short sleeves and/or tank tops!! Dun Dun Dunnnnn....


This can be a frightening time for people if they feel that their arms continue to wave long after they have said goodbye to people. Don't worry if you have neglected your arms at the gym during the winter, I have two moves that will get your firmed up and looking and feeling great in whatever you are wearing (no equipment needed!).


The Walk Out Push Up

This move can be done in your living room, at a park, in your backyard or even in a conference room at the office (door closed!)


How to:

  1. Stand with feet shoulder width a part. Begin move by bending over while keeping the legs as straight as possible and place your hands on the floor.
  2. Slowly “walk” your hands out in front of you until your body is in a push up position. Do a push up (keeping your body straight with hands a little wider than shoulder width apart, bend elbows and lower the body until elbows are at ninety degree angles and then raise you body by straightening your arms).
  3. Once the push up is complete, walk hands back towards feet and stand up straight.

For more details about the walk out push up, click here.



The Tricep Dip

All you need is a chair, bench or step to power through this move!


Muscles worked: Triceps, Chest and Shoulders

How to:

  1. Start by sitting on a bench or a stair with legs at a 90 degree angle in front of you.
  2. Place your hands next to your hips so that the fingers are pointed in front of you.
  3. Lift your body up using your arms and move your hips forward away from the stair or bench about 4 inches.
  4. Slowly lower your glutes/hips towards the ground by bending your elbows until thy are at a 90 degree angle
  5. Push yourself back up with your arms being careful not to lock the elbows at the top. Also, don't cheat by engaging your legs...remember, this is a upper body exercise.
  6. Do not sit back down, but immediately lower your hips/glutes to the floor and repeat the movement until the set is complete.

For more detailed information about the dip, click here.

1 comment:

  1. Thanks, Erin! I'm ready to get this tricep flab ready for spaghetti straps!

    ReplyDelete