By Nadia Murdock
From confirming the guest list to adding the finishing touches to
the center pieces just about every bride is also preoccupied with how
they will look in their wedding dress. Many of the popular wedding
dresses reveal the arms and back so it's ideal to have this part of your
body nicely toned to avoid unsightly back fat or jiggle.
Jumping
on the bandwagon of fad diets in order to achieve a quick fix is not
the way to go! To accomplish your fitness goals and not be rushed you
will want to begin your workout regime
ideally 6 months before the wedding day if not before. This is the
perfect way to pace yourself and avoid potential injury at the same
time. Keep in mind this goes hand and hand with a healthy diet and a
significant amount of water daily.
Below you will find a
few moves you can do at home or at the gym to work towards the arms of
your dreams. You will want to practice these moves at least 3 times a
week with a rest day in between.
For example alternate between legs and arms during the week, this gives the muscles time to repair themselves.
What you will need:
- A set of light weights
- A set of heavy weights
- A medium weight medicine ball
- A medium weight kettlebell
Wood Chopper:
This
workout will concentrate on your upper and lower body, ideal for total
body toning. While standing in squat position hold the medicine ball
close to your body with both hands at chest level. Slowly lower your
body into a squat position while dropping the medicine ball at an angle
to one side of the body. When returning to standing position lift the
ball close to your shoulders opposite of the angle you originally
lowered the ball while in a squat position. The workout should look as
though you are chopping a block of wood with an axe.
This should be done for 8 reps on each side.
Suggested weight: 6-8lb medicine ball.
Tricep Kickback:
Hold
a dumbbell in the right hand. Bend at the hips until your body is
almost parallel with the floor. Bring your elbows to your ribs and then
straighten your forearm back and return to the starting point, that
makes one rep.
Do this for 15 reps, repeat on the left side.
Suggested weight: light to medium.
Squat Shoulder Press:
Hold
a set of dumbbells at shoulder height, elbows bent facing you. Perform a
shallow squat (make sure your knees do not surpass your toes). When
returning to starting position push the weights overhead to complete one
rep.
Do this for 8 reps for a set of 3.
Suggested weight: light to medium.
Hand Walk Outs with a Push-Up:
Standing
with your feet shoulder width apart walk your hands outward into
push-up position and perform one push-up. Walk your hands back in until
you are back in starting position standing up, that is one rep.
Repeat for 15-20 reps.
No weights needed
Bent-Over Row:
Stand
with your feet shoulder-width apart keeping your knees slightly bent,
bend forward from the hips with a a pair of dumbbells in each hand. Your
chest should be parallel to the floor. Arms should be straight with
dumbbells aligned with your shoulders. Start by pulling the weights up
squeezing your shoulder blades together. Pause then return to starting
position to complete one rep.
Do this for 15-20 reps
Suggested weight: medium to heavy.
Standing Pull Up with Kettlebell:
Standing
with your feet hip-width apart hold the kettlebell with both hands.
Slowly raise the kettlebell up towards your chest keeping your elbows
pointed outward. Lower the weight to starting point to complete one rep.
Repeat for this move for 15 reps.
Suggested weight: 10lb kettlebell or dumbbell
source: about.com
