We all know that you can not target a specific area for weight loss but you can tone to help overall loss and to have nice tone muscles when the weight comes off!! Upper arms are a nemesis of many so here are some ideas from hotexercise.com!
Pushups
· Focusing on the biceps and triceps, start by performing probably the best known exercise of all, pushups, but they must be done correctly.
· Lie flat on the floor face down, hands, palm down, touching the floor, close to the shoulders and elbows.
· Press down onto your hands so that your entire body’s weight is taken onto the arms.
· Lift the body up, keeping it as straight as possible, until your arms are outstretched fully. Then gently lower yourself into the starting position.
· Repeat as often as possible aiming initially for 15-20 repetitions. If that is a problem don’t worry, even a start with four or five will lead to building up to the optimum, but try not to cheat by keeping your knees on the floor!
Bench Press
· Now turn over and lie face up on a bench or floor, body stretched out straight.
· Hold a pair of dumbbells or other weights in both hands (cans of food are a good substitute).
· Place your hands by the side of your head with your elbows pointing toward your feet.
· Raise your hands straight above your head, then steadily lower to head-height, keeping the elbows in tight above the body.
· Do 15-20 reps to start if you are able.
· When comfortable with this, increase the weight of the dumbbells.
Tricep Dip
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Sit on the edge of a bench or firm seat and grip the front edge by the side of your hips. Using your arms, lift your body from bench. Move your feet slightly away from the bench.
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Lower your body down the front of the bench until your arms are at right angles, then press back up until your arms become straight and locked, at all times keeping your upper body erect and your elbows in.
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Repeat 10-15 times. As it gets easier, try progressing to 25-30 times every day or every other day.
Any other form of exercise such as walking, jogging or cycling will help to burn off excess weight and, although not specifically targeting the underarm flab problem, the general all-over body-toning benefits will be reflected in some reduction, however slight, in those unsightly arms.
— Holly
Print | posted on Monday, September 08, 2008 10:34 AM