Fit Mommy: The right to 'bare' arms
Angelina has her rights, and so do we!
photo by picasa web user Abhishek Solanki Gallery
1) Forget spot toning and stick to overall weight loss. That's right, you can't spot-tone arms. You need to reduce your body fat with a sensible diet and cardio regimen.
2) Strengthen the biceps: For biceps, I recommend the isometric biceps hold. Just curl up, as you would normally, but hold it when your arm is parallel to the floor. Hold on one side, while completing full reps on the other side. Then switch.
3) Strengthen the triceps: Skull crushers are my favorite triceps toner right now. Though they sound awful, they are not! Lay on a bench or the floor and find a fairly heavy dumbbell, at least eight to 10 pounds. Lift arms back until your forearms are perpendicular to the floor. Then bend your elbows, bringing the weight down over the back of your head and lift back up. Keep forearms still during these reps. Try to complete two sets of 12.
4) Forearms are important too! Try wrist curls to keep your forearms toned.
5) Remember the power of contrast. If your shoulders, upper back and arms are toned, your waist will look smaller! It's true!
Be strong and work those guns! We'll see them next summer, right?
Eva Johnson is an ACE (American Council on Exercise) certified personal trainer, who is ready to get rid of the sweaters and put on a tank top! She lives in chaos with her husband and two boys. To see her complete blog about how to stay sane and in shape in the real world, visit www.fitnessbyeva.com.
Comments
nicole
Wed, Feb 16, 2011 : 1:53 a.m.
The comparison to the Founding Fathers is not a good one. Ann Arbor News, show some respect, please.
bedrog
Wed, Feb 16, 2011 : 8:30 p.m.
oh puhleeze!!
seldon
Wed, Feb 16, 2011 : 3:16 a.m.
This is America. We're allowed to make jokes about our leaders, and our former leaders. If you don't like that kind of environment, there are plenty of countries out there that can accommodate your apparent views on the matter. Uzbekistan, for example. Or Egypt, up until about a week ago.
Eva Johnson
Tue, Feb 15, 2011 : 10:39 p.m.
@lugemachine-While I agree with you that the phrase "tone" may have been phased out by athletic professionals, it is still commonplace in conversation, especially with women. Many women are afraid to strength train, simply because of the lingering idea that it will create bulkiness. I use the word as an aesthetic ideal, more than a factual concept. I will also check out the site you recommended-I can always use more info, and laughs! Thanks!
lugemachine
Tue, Feb 15, 2011 : 9:53 p.m.
Too much use of the word "tone". You either build muscle or you don't. "Toning" is an archaic concept that has no place in an intelligent discussion about resistance training. I don't mean to be harsh, but this is not just truth.. it's fact. Any woman (any man, too, but it's designed more for women) would be well-advised to go here for fitness and resistance-training information.. and for a pretty good laugh from time-to-time: <a href="http://www.stumptuous.com" rel='nofollow'>http://www.stumptuous.com</a>.