Summer is the time for bathing suits and sleeveless shirts.  Many of the clients at my private training studio have been requesting extra workouts to help tighten their arms. Normally, I stress the importance of a continued full body approach to fitness that works every muscle and each energy system. In addition to that, I also offer the following solution to help develop more tone in the upper arms for summer months.  I recommend that while maintaining the current exercise schedule, to add my Arms in 7 target toning workout.  This workout is short but extremely effective.  I have included a similar arm toning routine below.  It is complete with pictures. What’s great about this routine is that it can be done anywhere.  It lends itself very easily to working out on the go. The only equipment necessary is a resistance band.

Follow the printable routine below for a great on the go arm blasting workout or download my Arms in 7 digital workout video for added motivation.

For an effective arm toning routine perform each exercise for 12-20 repetitions or until fatigue is felt in the arms.  Work through all exercises three times with minimal rest while transitioning from one exercise to the next.

Bicep Curl

Key Points: Keep palms facing up. Lock elbows into the side.  Pull hands up in line with the shoulders during motion.

Behind the Head Tricep Extension

Key Points: Keep palms facing forward.  Stabilize elbows at shoulder height.  Lock elbows in place and bend around them during the motion.  Focus on the back of the upper arms.

Bicep Hammer Curl

Key Points: Lock elbows into the side of the body and bend around the elbow joint.  Keep palms facing together and pull hands up in line with shoulders.  Focus on the front of the upper arms.

Overhead Tricep Extension

Key Points: Stabilize elbows and be sure to bend the arms around the elbow joint.  Focus on the back of the upper arms.

Jim Bompensa has been a health club owner and manager, personal trainer, group fitness instructor, and nutrition specialist for the nearly 15 years. He is currently the owner/operator of Body Physics Fitness Center in Haddonfield, NJ. Jim has appeared and contributed on ABC and NBC in Philadelphia, PA as well as Designing Spaces on TLC.

I’ve been in the lab the past 3 weeks. Quite as kept lifting weights is easy for me. Cardio…that’s another story. Recently I’ve been doing an afternoon walk/run and I’ve learned to stop saying “I hate running” or “I suck at running” Although I have this nagging knee injury, I now know [...]

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BLACK FITNESS MEETS TUMBLR

Summer is upon us!  Hopefully your summer will be filled with trips, parties, and quality time with the family.  It’s an exciting time of year.  One drawback to summer is all of the fun activities associated with it produce a hectic schedule.  Hectic schedules are notorious for foiling even the best intentions in regard to fitness.  Many times when we’re on the go, it’s difficult to find a workout facility. Over the next few weeks, I’ll offer some creative solutions to help you fit exercise into your summer schedule.

A gym is always at hand with my suitcase workout!

The exercise routine below is a full body cardio – resistance workout utilizing only body weight and luggage.  I’m certain it will get your heart pumping and keep your body toned while traveling.
Adjust your luggage to a manageable weight by adding or removing articles.
Perform each exercise in the circuit below for 45 seconds.
Cycle through each exercise, then repeat.
If you’re up to it, perform the entire circuit three times.
Performing three times should take approximately 30 minutes.

Happy Travels,

Jim

Forward Raise

• Begin with arms slightly forward of the torso while holding the upper handle of suitcase with a slight bend in the elbows
• Lift both arms forward away from the body
• Raise arms to a position parallel to the floor
• Return to start position and repeat

Squats

• Hold suitcase in front of the body
• Your feet should be just a little wider than shoulder width
• Lower your body weight to a position where your thighs are parallel with the ground (This motion should feel as if you are sitting into a chair)
• Keeping both feet firmly planted on the floor push your body up away from the floor
• Be sure not to lock the knees at the top of the motion and always keep your knees behind the toes
• Repeat motion

One Arm Bent Over Row

• Begin with right knee and right hand on a bench or chair
• Left arm is hanging directly below shoulder holding suitcase with slight bend in elbow
• Pull left arm up to a position where the elbow is higher than the torso
• Left hand should be even with left hip
• Return to start position and repeat
• Repeat on opposite side

Upright Row

• Hold handle of suitcase with both hands
• Pull hands up along chest to a point where the elbows are slightly higher than the shoulders
• Return to start position and repeat

Lunge

• Hold suitcase in front of the body
• Begin with the left leg forward and the right leg behind
• Lower your weight between your knees
• The right heel will raise off of the floor
• You should focus the resistance and your weight on the front leg
• Continue to lower to a position where your front and back knees are at a 90 degree angle
• Begin to raise the weight before your right knee hits the floor
• Return to start position and repeat
• Don’t forget to do the opposite side

Pec Squeeze

• Hold suitcase in front of the body with just a slight bend in the knees
• Squeeze hands against the sides of the suitcase with an isometric contraction
• There is no movement, however you are contracting your chest muscles against a fixed object  (The suitcase)
• Squeeze and release up to 20 times and you will feel muscle fatigue in your chest

Shoulder Press

• Begin with hands holding suitcase in front of the body
• Elbows should be at a 90 degree angle
• Push hands and suitcase over the head
• Leave a slight bend in the elbows at the top of the motion
• Return to start position and repeat

Bicep Curl

• Start holding suitcase in one hand.  Palm should be facing down
• Elbows and knees should be slightly bent
• While keeping palm facing down, pull hand upward toward the shoulders
• It is very important to keep the elbow tight against the body to prevent using shoulder muscles
• Return to start position and repeat
• Repeat on opposite side

Jim Bompensa has been a health club owner and manager, personal trainer, group fitness instructor, and nutrition specialist for the nearly 15 years. He is currently the owner/operator of Body Physics Fitness Center in Haddonfield, NJ. Jim has appeared and contributed on ABC and NBC in Philadelphia, PA as well as Designing Spaces on TLC.

Image by theimpulsivebuy via Flickr

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