Glam Slam: Get Emmy-Worthy Arms!

It’s no secret Hollywood is a smoke and mirrors town… especially when it comes to camouflaging a less than perfect body. Tape and a good push up bra can create cleavage where none exists, while Spanx can rein in just about anything!

One area that is hard to fake… the arms. Unless you’re gonna wear long sleeves 365 days a year, you actually have to work to get them tight and toned.

LA-based Celebrity Fitness Trainer Kit Rich, who has worked with Sting and Trudie and Tiffani Amber Thiessen, reveals her tips to achieve Emmy worthy arms… whether you’re walking a red carpet or not!

1) 100 CARAT PUSHUPS
These tackle the triceps, shoulders and pecks all at once and fast.

With your knees on the floor and stomach engaged, place your hands on the floor in the shape of a diamond, where thumbs and index fingers meet. Make sure your shoulders are in line with your wrists and your neck is in line with the rest of your spine. Inhale through the nose as you bend the arms, letting the elbows bend out to the side for a count of 3 and exhale through the mouth as you push back up (to a count of 3) returning to starting position. Do 3 sets of 12-20 repetitions.

For more advanced: try doing them off your knees.

2) “TAKE 2” SHOULDER SERIES
Take 2 minutes and 2 pound dumbbells to cut and define the shoulders.

A) Overhead shoulder press: Holding 2 pound dumbbells (or two water bottles or two books with equal weight), stand with your feet hip distance apart, knees soft, stomach engaged. Begin your overhead shoulder presses with arms shoulder height and arms bent. Push the arms up overhead and return them back down shoulder height (2 counts up and 2 counts down). Repeat 15 times.

B) Dead arms: After your last shoulder press, extend the arms straight out, shoulder height, 6 inches in front of your shoulders. Hold arms up for 3 seconds, then drop them down six inches and then back up to starting position. Hold again and repeat 10 times.

C) Circles: Keeping the arms up, begin tiny circles (the size of a tennis ball). Circle 12 times and then reverse direction for a total of 24 circles.

For more advanced: try doing these moves balancing on one leg for one minute and then switching to the other leg for the remaining minute to stabilize core.

3) WONDER WOMAN LAT PULL
This move will help create a tight and strong looking back that will fit into any strapless or off the shoulder dress.Lying down on your stomach with your arms and legs extended (heels together toes apart in a V shape), hold the large towel shoulder width apart. Pulling the towel apart, lift the shoulders and head off the floor (keeping neck in line with the rest of the spine). Push thighs and pelvis deeper into the floor; engage the stomach as you bend the elbows, pulling the towel back behind the neck, shoulder blades rolling down the back. Inhale as you extend the arms back out to straight, keeping the chest and head lifted and exhale as you repeat. Do 2 sets for 10 repetitions.

4) BLOAT AND PEPPER: AVOIDING SALT
Like the perfect shoes to match your dress on Emmy night, a proper diet compliments the perfect exercise routine. Avoiding added salt can help decrease water retention and bloating. Avoid fried, processed, canned or frozen foods and try to reduce the use of condiments. If you’re addicted to flavor, replace your condiments with spices and herbs.

5) STRIKE A PERFECT POSTURE POSE
Toned arms or not, nothing will ruin all your hard work more than bad posture. So pull those shoulders back and down and lift your head because it’s time to shine and show it off!

6) “FINISH THE LOOK” USE GRADUAL SELF TANNER MOISTURIZER FOR DEEPER DEFINITION
Applying gradual self tanner moisturizer helps reduce the risk of streaks and allows you to control the level of bronzing that you want. Your arms will look slimmer and more defined with a bit more color. Apply over the course of a week to create the ultimate finished look!

You can check out more info on Kit at www.realbodycafe.com