FitSugar

Wave Goodbye to Arm Jiggle

FitSugar — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 01:00:53 PST

Arm jiggle is one of the biggest complaints that we hear about from other women. Even the long and lean Gwyneth Paltrow complained about having a "bat wing problem." Yes, there's snow on the ground, but now is the perfect time to work on this problem area. By the time the sun is shining again, you'll have the kind of arms that you can't help but show off!

Here are a few moves that will have you waving goodbye to jiggly arms in no time:

Tricep Dips - Toning your triceps is a surefire way to get rid of underarm flab. The triceps are the group of muscles that run on the back of your arm from the shoulder to your elbow - talk about "X" marking the spot! One of our favorite moves to tone the triceps are Tricep Dips; they're easy to do and only require a stable bench or chair.
Interval training with a jump rope - One of the easiest ways to rid the body of that extra arm jiggle is through interval training. The high intensity workout maximizes calories burned, which results in less body fat. To really target your arms during an interval workout, grab a jump rope. The old school workout is not only a great cardio workout, your shoulders, back, and arms will definitely feel the burn.
Two for the price of one - We love compound exercises because they target multiple body parts in a single move. The Balancing Tricep Kick works the back of your arms and your bum - saying goodbye has never been so sweet!

Guess the Celebrity Guns

FitSugar — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 19:00:00 PST

Celebrities work hard to look that good, and they aren't shy about showing it. At every awards gala, stars show up in off-the-shoulder or strapless looks to play up those perfectly cut biceps, and we love guessing who they belong to. Do you know who has the best toned arms in town? Take this quiz and find out!

Question 1 of 5

Which celebrity showed off her toned arms with an emerald dress?

No Equipment Necessary: Shaving Your Head Works Your Triceps

Michele Bell — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 12:30:02 PST

Don't worry your pretty little head full of hair, this exercise really doesn't require any equipment - not even a razor. The shaving I'm talking about comes in the form of your hands and it's in reference to the motion. It will, however, shave your triceps down into sculpted muscles.

Simply take your hands behind your head with your thumbs touching each other and your index fingers also joined together to form a diamond shape. Place it at the nape of your neck and in one singular smooth motion, press your hands above your head as if your hands are shaving the hair off the back of your head. It is a diagonal motion that will leave you looking ready to dive into a pool of water. Bring your arms back down to your neck and repeat the move while keeping your abs engaged and the tops of your shoulders down. Do three sets of 10 and hug yourself for all your hard work (and a stretch, too!).

Easily performed in a standing or seated position, it is a simple way to add a little oomph to your workday routine or your holiday travel.

Pop Pilates: Upper Body Workout

OnSugar Blog — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 10:00:36 PST

Here's a video workout from OnSugar blog Blogilates.

This Pilates video concentrates on the upper body and was specially created by request! You'll be sore tomorrow in your arms, chest, and shoulders and you're gonna love it.
Songs in this workout: "She Wolf" by Shakira"Tic Tok" by Kesha"Starstruck" by Lady Gaga featuring Space Cowboy and Flo Rida

Want to see more? Start following Blogilates or start your own OnSugar Blog. Maybe your stories will be posted here on FitSugar!

How Well Do You Know Your Arms?

FitSugar — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 08:00:44 PDT

You use them to drive your car, carry your groceries, and do your favorite exercise, the push-up. OK, maybe push-ups don't top your list of how to have a fun workout, but we can agree that the upper body appendages known as arms are important. Take this quiz to see how well you know yours.

Take the Quiz

Get Lifted: Hammer Curl Shoulder Press

FitSugar — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 10:15:00 PST

I love strength training with dumbbells and this exercise combines two moves to work both your biceps and your shoulders.

Want to know how to do this move? Then

Back to Basics: Triceps Dips

FitSugar — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 11:45:00 PST

Toning your triceps - the muscles that run on the backside of your upper arm from your shoulder to your elbow - is one way to really help prep your arms for tank tops. Triceps Dips are a great, basic exercise for working your triceps. What's more? They're pretty easy to do and don't require much equipment.

Here's how you do them:

Position your hands shoulder width apart on a secured bench or stable chair.
Move your booty in front of the bench with your legs bent and feet placed about hip width apart on the floor.
Straighten out your arms and keep a little bend in your elbows in order to always keep tension on your triceps and off your elbow joints.
Now slowly bend at your elbows and lower your upper body down towards the floor until your arms are at about a 90 degree angle. Be sure to keep your back close to the bench.
Once you reach the bottom of the movement, slowly press off with your hands, and push yourself straight back up to the starting position.

Fit's Tip: Don't allow your neck to sink and your ears to fall close to your shoulders. Also, straighten your legs as you get stronger, this will make the exercise harder.

Fire Fighter Workout: Part IV

FitSugar — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 08:30:00 PST

If you tried the fire fighter workouts I've been posting on earlier then you're feeling for those folks in uniform, since the workouts are literally no walk in the park. Here is the arms/abs portion of the circuit workout. Be prepared to sweat as these circuits are loaded with some tough exercises. Check out these highlights:

ARMS (Note: Repeat arms and core/abs (part 2) circuits consecutively)

Triceps extension: Stand on resistance band. With arms raised and elbows by your head, hold the band's handles behind your head. Raise them over your head, and then back down. 30-60 seconds.

Fire curls: Stand on resistance band with both feet, arms at sides. Bend arms at elbows and raise to shoulders. Lower. 30-60 seconds.

Lateral extensions pulse: Stand on resistance band with arms raised to the sides (palms down). Lift arms a few inches, then lower. As fast as you can for 30 seconds.

Reverse ax chop: Stand on resistance band with both feet. Hold the band in front with arms locked. Reach back over your right shoulder with both arms as if you were raising and swinging an ax. Alternate between shoulders. 60 seconds.

To see the core/abs portion

Running Tip: Mind Your Arms

FitSugar — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 09:30:00 PST

I have noticed that a lot of people hold their arms - known as arm carriage - differently when running. While some hold their arms low and to the side, others cross them in front of their body, so it occurred to me that it might be a good idea to share a technique that I have learned (and found) to be the most beneficial to my runs.

Here's the deal: Many runners hold their arms too high, which often results in neck and upper back pain. Furthermore, swinging your arms across the body wastes energy that you need to keep running. The most ideal way to hold your arms is so that your thumbs just barely brush below your hipbones (the top of your pelvis) with your palms facing in with each step. Focus on pumping your elbows backward and forward. In other words, do not cross your arms across your body. I like to think of it this way: Swing your arms in the direction you are traveling.

Source

Stretches for Your Desk

FitSugar — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 11:45:00 PDT

Nothing feels better than stretching it out when you’re done for the day, especially if you've been sitting at your desk all day long.

Try these four exercises to ease tension in the back, neck, shoulders, arms and wrists.

Back stretch: With your arms crossed over your chest and feet on the floor, lean against the chair back and allow the mid back to curl back over it, lifting elbows up to the ceiling and allowing your head to follow your neck. Hold for a moment, then return to an upright position.

Neck stretch: Take your left ear over to your left shoulder to stretch the muscles on the right side of your neck. Hold for 20 seconds and repeat on the right, aiming for two to three repetitions on each side. Then, with your chin tucked in, slowly turn your head to the right and left, five times on each side.

Shoulder soother: Roll your shoulders to the back, and then to the front – then lift them right up to your ears, tensing the muscles, and allow them to drop completely.

Arm and wrist stretch: Hold your right arm straight out in front of you with your palm facing up. Use your left hand to pull your fingers back and down to the floor. Feel the stretch on the underside of your forearm and wrist. Now turn the arm palm down, and draw the fingers back towards the forearm, keeping them straight. Swap sides.

Fit's Tip: Most people frown upon taking shoes off in the office so when you get home, take off your shoes and rise up on to the balls of your feet and then back down to the heels, to boost the circulation in the lower legs.

Source