With summer approaching, temperatures are rising and so are our sleeve lengths. Goodbye, sweaters and long sleeves— hello, tank tops and strappy dresses! It’s officially time to get armed for summer!
In the NEW FitnessRx For Women June issue, I share one of my fast-paced, upper body circuits that target the shoulders and arms, called the “TANK TOP TONE-UP.” (You can find it on page 80 of the new issue.) Over the next few weeks, I’ll be demonstrating those exercises for you, plus a few extra. You can use the exercises in a few ways:
– Add the demonstrated exercises into your current training program for an additional challenge or switch-up.
– Combine all the exercises introduced over the next few weeks into a complete circuit like the one provided in our June issue.
THIS WEEK’S EXERCISES
This week, I’m demonstrating the DUMBBELL PRESS STAND-UP & UPRIGHT ROW WITH LATERAL RAISE. Both of these exercises combine two movements, which amps up the calorie and muscle burn.
The Dumbbell Press Stand-up engages the entire deltoid while giving the lower body a workout. I love to start my shoulder workouts with this exercise to help get my entire body warm.
How To: Begin seated on a bench with dumbbells at your shoulders and your palms forward. As you press the dumbbells above your head, stand up. As you lower the weights to the starting position, touch your glutes to the bench. (Don’t sit!)
The Upright Row With Lateral Raise combines two common shoulder exercises targeting the front and side deltoid. This one gets really tough after a few reps, so use a lower weight than what you are accustomed to using for these exercises.
How To: Perform an upright row holding dumbbells and follow it with a side lateral raise. That’s one rep. Make sure to keep your neck and your traps relaxed throughout both exercises.
Perform 4 sets of 10 reps for each exercise.
Check back EACH WEEK for NEW TANK TOP TONE-UP demonstrations and pick up the June issue of FitnessRx for Women magazine (on sale now) for the entire program.
