Present Arms!

With summer comes hot days and tank tops and with tank tops comes the righteous chicken skin on the back of our arms. The places that winter’s turtle necks hid and gave a welcoming environment to grow and flourish. The cold days of winter are over and so begins the summer of hot mamas!

With this upper body blast workout you will see results and feel them as your arms become more toned and strong. Have you heard the word svelte lately? Well, get used to it because you will be hearing it a tidy sum this season. Enjoy the days of tank tops and swim suits with your new "svelte" upper body. Just don’t forget the sun screen.

1. Shoulder Press

Stand tall, flex those abs and bring the arms to form Ls with the weights just in your eye line. As you exhale lift the weights, in a two count, so that you can still see them at all times until your arms are straight but not locked out.

Never bring the weights to touch each other. This motion allows the muscles to rest and cheats you out of a full workout.

2. Triceps Extensions

Hold it right there and reach for the sky! Abolish the felonious flab of the back arms by pumping out 12 of these three times. Begin with your upper arm resting against your ear and the weight extended down. Leading with the Triceps and Lats and lift your arms to finish position.

Your abs will feel this one too if you keep proper positioning of abs in and pelvic tilt as you squeeze the buns. Be sure to drop the weights down after and get a good stretch.

3. Bent Over Row

Row, Row, Row your arms gently to see the results. Seat yourself on the edge of a chair and bend to a 45 degree angle. Extend your weights down to the floor to begin.

Maintain a strong back and abs throughout this move. As you exhale, lift your arms into a L shape and finish the move with you elbows just slightly past the shoulder to feel a squeeze in the shoulders. Drop in the weights to start position as you inhale.

4. Hammer Curls

Beauty Biceps builder, eh! Standing with your arms fulling extended hold your dumbbells with your palms facing in. Exhale and lift for a count of two to flex the upper arm.

As you inhale drop the weights down slowly. If your weight is too high your body will rock as it tries to help you lift with momentum. Lower your weight if this happens and focus on a strong core.

5. Triceps Stretch

Bring your arm across your chest and hold it at the elbow joint. Extend your fingers. You will feel a stretch from your shoulder, triceps and forearm. Hold for 30 seconds each side.

6. Chest Stretch

Bring your arms behind your back and grab your elbows. As your inhale, roll your shoulders back and puff out your chest. Allow your exhalation to deepen the stretch. Hold for 30 seconds.

About the Author

Monique Miller is the Founder of Yummy Mummy Lifestyle Ltd. which teaches fun fitness classes for mum & baby. For more information visit www.yummymummys.ca.

Pictures taken in Beautiful Kitimat, British Columbia, Canada