6 Arm Exercises to Stun in Your Cocktail Dress
This upper-body toning plan helps you sculpt wow-worthy arms and shoulders that will make you feel confident in that sleeveless number.
If you’ve got a holiday party (or three) on your calendar, chances are your arms won’t be staying covered up this season. Get ready for the reveal with this sculpting workout from trainer Jennifer Cohen, who created the Weight Watchers: 15-Minute Boot Camp Series.
“In addition to firming your biceps and triceps, the moves here target your shoulders to get you that sexy cut on your upper arms,” says Cohen.
She’s also included exercises that tighten your middle (key for rocking a fitted dress) and improve your posture too. So RSVP for that cocktail party—with this plan, you’ll be ready to go sleeveless in no time. (Be sure to brush up on Small Talk Tips for Holiday Parties!)
How it works: Three times a week, do 1 set of each move in order, without resting between exercises. Repeat the entire circuit once more.
You will need: Free weights, Swiss ball
1. Raise It Up
A. Get on your hands and knees with wrists aligned under shoulders and knees under hips. Hold a dumbbell in left hand with palm facing right. Lift left arm to shoulder height in front of you as you rotate palm toward the floor. Lower left arm to starting position, then raise it to shoulder height out to the side. Lower arm to starting position to complete 1 rep. Do 10 reps; switch sides to complete set.
2. W Press
A. Stand with feet together. Hold a dumbbell in each hand with elbows bent and close to your sides, palms facing ceiling; draw forearms away from each other and out to the sides. Raise right foot a few inches off the floor in front of you.
B. Raise arms out to sides in a “W” shape, elbows just below shoulder level. Lower arms to starting position. Do 10 reps; switch legs halfway through set.
3. Goalie Lift
A. Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent. Hold a dumbbell in each hand, arms extended in front of thighs and palms facing you. Keep back flat as you hinge forward from hips.
B. Rise up as you bend elbows 90 degrees and lift arms to shoulder height in a goalpost position, palms facing forward.
C. Rotate shoulders to the right, then twist back to center and extend arms to starting position. Repeat, this time twisting to the left. Do 10 reps; alternate sides each time. (For extra core work, try The Ultimate Arms and Abs Workout.)
4. Pullover Squat
A. Stand with feet hip-width apart and back about 2 feet away from a wall. Hold a dumbbell in each hand with elbows bent and tucked close to sides, palms facing ceiling. Squat until thighs are parallel to floor, back and elbows against the wall.
B. Keeping dumbbells close together and elbows bent, lift arms overhead until they tap the wall behind you. Lower weights to starting position. Do 15 reps.
5. Ball Dip
A. Sit on the floor with right leg extended and on top of a stability ball; bend left knee and put left foot on the floor. Place hands on the floor beside your hips with fingers pointing toward the ball. Lift hips toward ceiling and extend arms.
B. Bend elbows straight back behind you, lowering butt toward floor. Push up to starting position. Do 15 reps. Switch legs on next set.
6. Balance Fly
A. Stand with your left shin on a stability ball and your right foot on the floor a stride’s length in front of it. Hold a dumbbell in each hand. Bend knees slightly and bend forward from your hips, extending your arms straight down toward the floor, palms facing each other.
B. Bend elbows slightly as you raise arms to shoulder height out to sides. Lower arms to starting position. Do 10 reps, switching legs halfway through set. (Want more arm focus? Do these 6 Moves to Lose Arm Fat Fast.)
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