The No-Equipment Arm Workout You Can Do ANYWHERE
By
Jamie Vos in
Health and Fitness
On 29th September 2015
When it comes to summer apparel (tank tops, sundresses, bikinis…), your arms are the common denominator. They’re always on display, right? To keep your upper body looking ***flawless, we tapped Dara Theodore, trainer at The Fhitting Room in New York City, to create a fast and effective arm workout that can be done anywhere–including beachside, if you’re lucky enough to be at the shore.
The routine below is divided into four circuits. Perform the exercises in each set back-to-back, then enjoy a quick break before moving on to the next circuit. You’ll end the workout with a quick round of burpees. (Sorry!) “I love combining [the below] exercises together because they not only target your arms, but engage your shoulders, back and your core, too. Ending the routine with burpees will give you a high-intensity, explosive finish that will leave you breathless,” Theodore explains.
The GIFs below will teach you how to perform each exercise. Do the entire workout once–it should take you about eight minutes, so no excuses! And if you’re looking for a crazy-tough routine, rest for 90 seconds, then repeat the entire circuit one more time.
#1 Tricep Dips
Stand in front of a chair or couch seat. Place hands on seat with fingers pointing forward. Keep back flat and walk legs out in front of body. Bend arms and lower butt toward ground, being sure to keep elbows directly behind body. Straighten arms to complete 1 rep. Do 10 reps.
#2 Dive Bomber Push-Up
Start in a downward facing dog position. Sweep chest down and through arms lowering through a push-up. Straighten arms end in a cobra position. Now push through palms and hips to return to downward facing dog. That's 1 rep. Do 10 reps.
#3 Inchworm to Push-Up
Start standing with feet hip-width apart. Hinge forward at hips and place palms on floor, bending knees as needed to reach. Walk hands forward so that you're in a plank position. Do 1 push-up, keeping elbows close to torso, dropping to knees if needed. Walk hands back toward feet and stand up. That's 1 rep. Do 10 total. Rest for 30 seconds.
#4 Plank Ups
Start in a forearm plank. Keeping abs tight and spine long, pick up right arm and right palm on ground. Repeat on left side, ending up in a high-plank position. Now reverse the movement, replacing right palm with right elbow and left palm with left elbow. That's 1 rep. Be sure to keep hips still and facing the ground throughout the routine. Do 10 reps, alternating starting arms with each rep.
#5 Superman Holds With Squeeze
Lie face down on mat and hold arms out to sides at shoulder-height, thumbs facing up. Lift chest, arms and legs off ground simultaneously. Pause, then lower back to mat. Do 10 reps, then rest for 30 seconds.
#6 Diamond Push-Ups
Start in a plank position. Bring index fingers and thumbs to meet, forming a triangle under chest. Bend elbows and lower torso as close to ground as possible. Push through palms to straighten arms. Modify this move by dropping to knees. Do 10 reps.
#7 Burpees
Your favorite. Our favorite.
Start standing. Squat down until hands touch floor and kick feet back into a plank position. Drop chest to floor, then jump feet wide, then to the sides of hands, then back to standing position. Jump up and immediately move to the next rep. Do as many reps as you can for one minute. Your goal: Do at least 15 reps.
