arms-related stories
Shake Weight: Gives You a Total-Body Workout in Six Minutes?
Fitness, Reviews & Products, We Tried it
The men's commercial, seemingly aimed at wannabe bodybuilders, asks, "Would you like to get your arms ripped? Your shoulders pumped and your chest sculpted ... Do you hate working out for hours at the gym with big, bulky equipment, or boring, slow dumbbells?"
The Shake Weight for women commercial, meanwhile, is aimed at fans of Michelle Obama's arms. "Work out your entire upper body in just six minutes a day," the ad touts. "You'll get arms you'll be proud to show off. Feel free to go sleeveless."
The commercials go on to explain these claims are possible because of "dynamic inertia." The manufacturers assert that if men use the Shake Weight for just one minute it's equivalent to doing 240 repetitions of regular weight-lifting. For women, the commercial explains, "Scientific studies at a prestigious University prove that the Shake Weight increases upper-body muscle activity by 300 percent compared to traditional weights." All that for a price tag of $19.95 (plus shipping) for the ladies' version or $29.95 (plus shipping) for guys.
Sculpt Yourself a Star Body
Photo: Gabriel Bouys, Getty Images
Check out the featured CafeMom video (via Self.com) to zero in on your abs, arms, thighs and butts in the privacy of your own home -- and with no high-tech special equipment. Hand weights and/or resistance tubing is all you should need. Add to your regular workout routine 10 reps of each exercise, and do two sets. Who knows, you might end up resembling the likes of Jennifer Garner, Jessica Biel and Jennifer Lopez.
And then there's Michelle Obama -- now, she could teach you a thing or two about getting fit.
Arm Workouts for Biceps and Triceps
To get your arms in shape, try this biceps workout. Click through the photo gallery below for step-by-step arm-toning exercises.
Here's all you need to know to work out and sculpt your own pair of gloriously toned arms.
Once you embrace the thought that strengthening your arm muscles will make them look toned and sexy rather than chunky and unfeminine, you'll be pleasantly surprised at how easy it is to get results. Arms are one of those body parts that respond quickly to training (especially the triceps) because they're typically under-worked in everyday life compared to say, your legs. Expect to see results -- possibly even dramatic results -- in about six weeks.
Because your elbow opens and closes like the hinge of a door, most arm exercises are pretty straightforward so there's very little chance you'll injure yourself while doing them. Even newbies won't have any trouble mastering the moves. That said, always be sure to keep your ab muscles firm while your arms are moving to protect your lower back and always lift slowly and with control so your elbows never snap or "lock".
Do this arm routine 2 to 3 times a week with at least one day of rest in between. All you'll need is an exercise band or tube that creates enough resistance, or force, to challenge you within 8 to 15 reps plus a sturdy chair so you can do this routine anywhere. Start with one set of 8 to 15 reps of each exercise; when you can do 15 reps easily, either switch to a heavier band, up it to two sets per exercise or graduate to the more challenging version of the move.
When you're ready to try something new, consider switching to dumbbells. The same movements feel completely different when you're pumping iron versus pumping rubber. And when you're ready for a more creative spin on these basics, check out an upper body toning classes at your gym or an arm training DVD.
Michelle Obama Hula Hoops For Kids' Health
Win McNamee, Getty Images
First Lady Michelle Obama has killer arms, is in the best shape of her life and loves living a healthy lifestyle. She is certainly leading by example as she encourages America's children to get fit, too. The First Lady recently held a Healthy Kids Fair on the South Lawn of the White House, where she gave some healthy advice to some very lucky kids. And she drew from her own experiences, not only as a mom, but as a child to her own mother. "When I was growing up, fast food was a treat," she said. "We had pizza ... once every semester when we got good grades." In very motherly fashion, she then told the kids to eat their veggies: "We don't want to hear the whining. We want you to eat it. Just eat it, right?"
Mrs. Obama isn't just taking on unhealthy eating habits though. She issued a challenge to kids to be more active every day. "Turn off the TV on your own. Get up and throw a ball. Run around the house. Don't break anything, but move," she says. It's pretty obvious advice, but advice that needs saying these days nonetheless. And, of course, she practiced what she preached by having a go with a hula hoop and jumping rope.
She's taken on a tough cause -- changing the diet and exercise habits that are the foundation of our country's obesity epidemic -- but the First Lady seems up for the job. What do you think? Can Mrs. Obama inspire America to change its unhealthy ways?
Click on the gallery below to learn about Michelle Obama's workout routine.
Michelle Obama might be known for her incredibly toned arms, but she isn't the only lady rocking gorgeous guns. Check out who has the best arms in Hollywood.
Hottest Celebrity Arms, Timeless Beauty, Exercises for Chronic Pain: Links We Love
The first lady isn't the only leading woman with lean arms. Check out this photo gallery of our favorite famous guns -- and learn how to get the look.
Just what does it take to attain timeless beauty? From Marilyn to Twiggy, AOL Health reveals the diet and exercise routines that helped them achieve their famous shapes.
If your aches and pains make you feel decades older than your peers, you may not be exaggerating. Recent research reveals that a 50-year-old living with chronic pain may have a body that looks similar to a pain-free 75-year-old. AOL Health offers exercises and nutrition advice to help treat your problem.
Madonna's Arms - Strong and Sexy or Too Much?
Fitness, Celebs & Entertainment
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| Photo:Matrix/Flynet |
However, a photo taken of Madge earlier this week leaving London showed her arms looking, well, a little scary -- they were uber-ripped and veiny, and her skin looked like it was suctioned to the bones. As you can see in the picture, they looked totally unreal.
Some speculate that the singer exercises too much and eats too little. Others speculate that the photographer had a bit of Photoshop fun with the image before releasing it. After all, just the week before, she looked buff, but far from frightening.
Hugh Jackman, Twitter Diets and Dominos Breadbowls - Week in Review - May 11 to May 17
Get into your skinny jeans by lowering your stress levels. Laura will show you how.Dominos tried to deceive us, but Kristen got to the bottom of their Pasta Breadbowls in the end. There's a moral here: Eating out is tricky, and you can't believe everything you read on a food label.
Hugh Jackman was fit to begin with, but for his latest turn as Wolverine, he describes himself as "ridiculously fit." What do you think about Jackman's look?
Get a Michelle Obama-worthy set of guns, just in time for sleeveless season. Fitz will show you how.
Most of you aren't using Twitter as a diet aid just yet. It can be a valuable tool, but as Maggie warns, watch out for scams.
Marie Osmond and Valerie Bertinelli face off on whose diet is better. Come on, ladies. You both are looking and feeling great -- do we need to go there?
Hydroxycut has been pulled from the shelves, and Jonny's glad. There's no magic pill for fitness.
Americans may have a sedentary lifestyle, but obesity can be blamed more on diet than exercise.
Cheerios are not a drug, says the FDA, so they can't advertise cholesterol-lowering claims anymore. Does this mean they're going to start cracking down on other food manufacturer's claims?
Best Workouts for Spring - This Week on AOL Health
Enter AOL Health's Best Spring Workout, which pairs an ideal move to each body part you'll want to have in shape come summer time (bikini season).
'Fess up, have you been fully active with your weight lifting, stretching and overall body toning? What moves never fail to help you get back -- or help you stay -- in shape?
Michelle Obama's Arms - How to Get Them - This Week on AOL Health
Fitness, Celebs & Entertainment, Motivation
Fit vs. Fat - The Right to Bare Arms
The Good, The Fat and The Hungry, Diet & Weight Loss
Do you have the right to bare arms if yours are the size OF a bear's? Well, my arms were bear sized but by the time you read this Friday night, they will no longer be. Operation brachioplasty (arm lift) is underway. After losing 200+ pounds, my arms have been a constant source of misery. The excess skin on my arms that hung down several inches has gone bye-bye!
Ever been to New York city in the summertime? Let me tell you that heat in the concrete jungle is HOT. I have suffered through two summers in the heat with long sleeves. The unsightly excess skin on my arms has imposed great limitations. In addition to year-round long sleeves, I've fought with rashes and a host of other skin-related issues. That's not to mention the fabulous clothes I can't wear.
Jiggly Arms - Tape Down the Arm Fat
Oh, will the stupidity never end? First it was the butt bra, now there is tape designed to reduce that annoying under-arm jiggle.
Supposedly, you just adhere the tape to the unwanted wiggly, jiggly skin, pull tight and adhere the other end of the tape to the top of your arm. It's like a big band-aid for arm fat. Slim Tape allegedly works for thighs as well. Can you imagine trying to explain the reason for that big piece of tape on your arm or thigh? You can forget about tank tops or shorts.
If you really want to reduce under-arm jiggle, you need to eat right and do plenty of cardio to help shed extra pounds. You also need to work out those arms to get them toned and in shape. It may not be as quick of a fix as that silly tape, but you'll be a heck of a lot more proud of the results. Just ask Kelly Ripa -- check out the girl's arms in the gallery below.
[via Lemondrop]
8 Tips for a Better Body Breakthrough
- Want to lose that muffin top? Try sprints, interval training or other intense cardio exercises. Also, when doing crunches, aim for constant tension in your abs. Pilates is also great exercise for your core.
- Trying to lose weight all over? Be sure to mix up your exercise routine. Try doing something different twice a week. Adding fast bursts of fitness to your routine can help, too. And don't forget strength training!
- Looking for a better bottom? Plyometrics are great for your glutes. Hip extensions and step-ups are also good choices.
- Want to shed back fat? The seated row and wide-grip lat pull are effective for this area. But don't forget the cardio. Also, it's a good idea to work the opposing muscle group so work your pecs as well.
Ask Fitz! Your Fitness Questions Answered - Flabby Arms
Ask Fitz!, Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness
Have fitness questions? Fitz has your answers. Our ThatsFit.com fitness expert -- and now your own virtual personal trainer -- will help you get fit, increase your overall health and do it in a fun way. Drop your questions here in the Comments section below and we'll choose one per week to publish on That's Fit! Learn more about Fitz here.
Q. Fitz, My entire upper arms wobble when I wave hello or goodbye. I'm only 26 years old, but I feel like my arms look like they belong to an elderly woman. I run so I'm thin, but my arms are too flabby. Help! Jada
A. Hello running woman! Thanks for throwing me the soft ball. In fact, maybe that's something you should try. Throwing softballs is a great workout for the triceps. And, if you hadn't predicted what I was going to say, you should be working your triceps! And biceps and forearms, etc.
Tone Your Triceps
Poor triceps ... they must feel so ignored. Biceps get so much attention. They're used more in daily activities, and people certainly pay more attention to them at the gym. But toned triceps can really make your upper arms look hot -- so they're well worth some extra effort. Women's Health magazine has four moves, each one focused on all three parts of the tricep muscle (the medial, long, and lateral heads). You will need some special equipment (stability ball, free weights, EZ Curl bar, etc.) for these moves -- if you don't have what you need at home, you're sure to find the equipment at your gym.
AOL Health has more arm exercises that will target your triceps, as well as some moves for your biceps. And check out this post about Ugly Betty's Becki Newton and her toned triceps.
Lose the Bingo Wings with Krank Cycle
Bingo Wings (noun): Loose, flabby upper-arm flesh of (usually) fat women in cap-sleeved rayon blouses who attend bingo halls.Despite the above definition, don't believe that Bingo Wings only affect women with multi-colored dobbers and a frightening collection of good-luck trolls. Many of us women have them, but we avoid sticking our arms straight out to the side and wiggling them around because we're afraid of the subsequent jiggling we might witness.
But there's help -- as our friends over at FitCeleb recently mentioned, many gyms now offer spinning classes designed solely for your arms. Krank Cycle is just like riding a bike, except your arms do all the peddling -- and get all the glory of the results. Krank cycle can help tone your biceps, shoulders, back and triceps all in one go.
For more info, including locations, check out KrankCycle.com.
