You may have the most hairless and smoothest armpits on the face of the planet. But if they have excess fat in them, it’s very much likely that you will fail to pull off that tank top, tube top or bathing suit.
Having unwanted fat in the underarms is a problem that is pestering a lot of women. Many are also frustrated upon knowing that spot reduction of fat does not exist — you have to lose fat all over your body to get rid of fat in your pits. And the best way to do that is by watching what you eat and engaging in cardio on a regular basis.
Toning your muscles in the arms can also be very beneficial because, by making those muscles taut, fat in the underarm can become less noticeable, and thus allowing you to go sleeveless with much confidence.
So without further ado, let’s take a look at some of the best exercises for toning the muscles in your arms to make your armpits worthy of being flaunted than being hid under baggy and unflattering clothes. Most of them require you to grab a pair of dumbbells to really have those arm muscles of yours challenged. Here they are:
Chest Fly
Grab a pair of lightweight dumbbells and lie on your back on the floor.
Stretch your arms out to your sides and slightly bend your elbows. Your palms should be facing in.
Lift your legs off the floor and bend your knees at about 90 degrees. Use your core muscles — the muscles in your stomach — to keep your legs in such position throughout the exercise.
Simultaneously, raise your arms to the ceiling and attempt to bring the lightweight dumbbells together above your chest. Make sure that you engage your chest muscles.
Hold the position for about a second, and then slowly lower your arms to the floor.
Perform 3 sets of chest fly, each set consisting of 10 to 12 repetitions.
Chest Press
This is performed just like chest fly — you are on your back on the floor, and you are clutching a pair of lightweight dumbbells.
Instead of bending your knees as about 90 degrees, bend them at about 45 degrees. Also, have the soles of your feet secured on the floor.
Bend your elbows to about 90 degrees, with your palms facing your feet.
Slowly, stretch both your arms towards the ceiling, making sure that the dumbbells you are holding are in a straight line.
Hold the position for about a second, and then slowly lower your arms. Do not straighten your arms — keep your elbows bent at about 90 degrees.
Perform 3 sets of chest press, and each set made up of 10 to 12 repetitions.
Reverse Fly
Just like what the name says, this is just like doing chest fly. However, this time around, you are lying on your stomach. It may seem like this is targeting the back muscles, which is true, but it also zooms in on your arm muscles.
While holding a pair of lightweight dumbbells, outstretch your arms towards your sides. Have your elbows slightly bent.
All at the same time, slightly take your upper chest and arms off the floor.
Hold such position for about a couple of seconds, and then slowly go back to the starting position.
Perform 3 sets of reverse fly, each set consisting of 6 to 8 repetitions.
Pull Ups
Last but not the least, you may also do pull ups. Although it’s designed to tone the shoulder and upper back muscles, it’s also a wonderful exercise for the arm muscles.
Grab a pull up bar with the palms of your hands facing forward. Your hands, by the way, should be slightly more than shoulder-width apart.
Try to lift your entire body. Once your feet are off the floor, bend your knees at about 45 degrees and place one foot over the other.
Stop lifting your body once your elbows are bent at about 90 degrees. Slowly lower yourself again and repeat.
Perform 3 sets of pull ups, each one made up of 6 to 8 repetitions.
