Strapless Wedding Dress Workout

By Lindsey Sirera



Trying on bridal gowns is one of those few amazing moments you dream of as a child that actually comes true (unless that letter to Hogwarts actually arrived.) You can finally trade in that ragged old Disney princess costume for a breath-taking new Vera Wang. So when the cosmos align and the moment to try on dresses arrives, the last thing you want to be distracted by in the mirror is arm flab jiggling over your strapless gown. But don't resign yourself to a maximum-coverage dress just yet. We got the insider scoop from Energeia Boot Camp Malibu owner Charlotte Mooney. She shared these three easy tips designed to tone and define your arms.

1. Triceps Dips


"This exercise is great because you work your triceps as well, which are complimentary muscles," Mooney says. "So when your triceps look bigger, your biceps look bigger, making your arms firmer overall."

This exercise is great if you're tied up at the office or just don't feel like getting up from the couch (no judgment). Sit on the edge of a sturdy chair with your hands gripping the sides, shoulder width apart. Position your bent legs slightly in front of you (aim for a 100 degree angle). Now, using your arms, extend your body in front of the chair, making sure not to move your feet. Slowly alternate between bending your elbows and straightening your arms, moving your body up and down. Do three reps of five.

2. Tricep Pushups


"Do three sets of 10 of these pushups and for best results do a few sets of high knees too," Mooney says. "The combination will help your arms and overall physique. Mixing in cardio keeps your muscles warm and burns the most calories."

I need to be honest right now; pushups are one of my greatest fears, right up there with snakes and spiders. I swear up and down it's because of my tiny shoulders, but in reality I'm just in desperate need of some toning-up myself. So when I tried these pushups, I was pleasantly surprised they weren't as dreadful as regular pushups, and I could really feel my target areas working.

Start out in a plank position with your hands directly under your shoulders and your arms tucked straight beneath. Using your arms, extend your body upright until your elbows are straight, and then lower yourself back down to starting position.

3. Just Move!


I've heard women complain over and over again about how under arm flab is unavoidable and there's nothing you can do about it. Wrong. Simply keeping busy and moving around can help you tone up all over, arms included. That means even a 30 minute walk counts.

"Even in my boot camp sessions I notice women's arms toning up just with body weight resistance," Mooney says. "You start really losing muscle when you stop exercising; when you don't use it, you lose it."

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