My Arm Workout “go-to’s”

Please note I am not a certified personal trainer or specialist of any kind. Anything that I post is purely my opinion and what works best for me. Please contact your doctor or someone who specializes in this field to help you with any goals you want to obtain.

 

I do cardio with a mix of weight training regularly. More recently though, I’ve been adding in some new moves to work on toning my arms and wanted to share a few of my “go-to’s”!

 

I have to admit that I don’t enjoy workouts that work my triceps only because that’s my weaker area. I know that to be stronger on one area you have to work at it, but I just want to wake up with toned arms. Is that too much to ask?

 

I have 5 lbs weights that I get a lot accomplished with, but really feel I get more of a workout when I use my own body weight. Also it targets other muscle groups so I’m getting more from my routine.

 

Plank Arm Row and Rotate

Targets: Shoulders, upper back, chest, triceps, biceps, and abs

Source: Fitness magazine

• Start on floor in full push-up position, balancing on hands and toes, body forming a straight line from head to heels. Move feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
• Keeping hips level, lift left hand off floor and bend left elbow behind you to bring hand next to shoulder.
• Return to start.
• Repeat, this time rotating torso to right so that left elbow points up (as shown). Return to start to complete 1 rep.
• Do 2 sets of 10 reps, alternating sides.

Strap-Happy Shaper

Targets: Shoulders, upper and middle back, and abs

 

 

Source: Fitness Magazine

 

• Start on floor in plank position, balancing on forearms and toes, elbows directly under shoulders. Clasp hands together.
• Press through toes to move body forward, bending elbows until face is almost touching floor. MAKE IT EASIER: Move only 1 inch forward.
• Press backward with shoulders (not from hips) to return to start position.
• Do 2 sets of 8 to 10 reps.

Chair Dips

 

Source: Fitness Magazine

• Sit on the edge of the chair with your feet together.
• Place your hands on the seat on either side of your thighs and keep your feet flat on the floor.
• Bend your elbows 90 degrees and lower yourself toward the floor.
• Straighten your arms, raising your body back to the start position.
• Do 8 reps.

The Aerobox

Source: Fitness magazine

• Stand holding a 1 to 2 (or 5 to 8 if more weight lifting experience)pound weight in each hand.
• Bring fists in front of face, palms facing each other.
• Step left foot 6 inches forward and right foot 6 inches back.
• Punch with left fist, then right. Start slowly, speeding up until you’re going as fast as you can.
• Repeat for 60 seconds.
• Switch feet and repeat.

These really do the trick and I can really tell the difference in my strength and lack of arm jiggle!

Do you have a favorite workout “go to”?