Get Tank Top Ready: 6 Arm Sculpting Exercises

Tank top season is coming, are you ready? Do you have bra bulge (that small flap of skin between your bra and your armpit) or do you have extra flab that shakes when you wave your arms? If so, you may want to do a few exercises to help target these areas and get you in top shape before the warmer weather hits. Be sure to speak to your physician before attempting a new workout routine. See below for six exercises to help sculpt your arms.

Exercise Equipment You'll Need:

Workout mat
Hand weights (5-10 lbs.)

Repeat each of the exercises below 10 times. Add more repetitions and increase weight as these exercises become easier.

1. Bent Elbow Chest Flies

Stand with your legs hip width apart in a comfortable position. Grab your weights in each hand and raise your arms up to shoulder height. Then bend your elbows up to a 90 degree angle so your arms are still shoulder height, but your weights are above your head. Holding your arms at shoulder level, bring your elbows in front of your chest to touch and return to the starting position.

2. Straight Arm Chest Flies

Lay on your back with your knees bent (feet planted firmly on the floor). Hold your arms out to your sides at shoulder level with your hand weights in each hand. Holding your arms as straight as possible, lift your weights to touch in front of your chest and then return to the starting position.

3. Bench Press

No bench needed for this exercise. Lay flat on your back again with your knees bent (feet planted firmly on the floor). Hold your weights in either hand with your arms at shoulder level and your elbows bent so the weights are next to your head. Lift your arms until the weights touch above your chest, then return to the starting position. Be sure that your arms do not touch the floor when you return to the starting position.

4. Chest Press

Lay on your back, hold your weights in either hand with your elbows at your sides and bent so your weights are above your chest. Hold your weights parallel to your body and bring your arms/weights up to touch above your chest. Return to the starting position and repeat.

5. Push Ups

You can do these the with your knees on the floor or not, depending on what you can do. No matter which way you do them, be sure to keep your back straight and your core tight. Hold your body above the floor using your arms to lower your chest down to the floor without touching it and then push back up to the starting position.

6. Close Hand Push Ups

Just like the regular push up, again you can do these with your knees down or not, this time though your hands should be close together, rather than shoulder width. Lower your chest down to the floor without touching it and push yourself back up to the starting position. You'll notice that this targets your chest muscles more than the regular push up.

These exercises will help strengthen your chest, sculpt your arms and will help banish bra bulge to get you ready for tank top season. Also see a personal training specialist for more exercise tips.

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