16 August,2011 07:30 AM IST | | The Active! team
Curious how the US First Lady keeps bat wings at bay? It's thanks to a two-pronged approach:u00a0 strength-training and cardio to cut back on body fat. Here are Two exercises from her fitness routine
Weight gain is often seen as an inevitable part of the baggage -- pardon the rather unfortunate pun -- that comes with an increase in years and a decrease in metabolism. Additional responsibilities, work stress and exhaustion are just some of the ways in which we rationalise not being able to set aside 30 minutes everyday for an exercise routine. The truth is that you're exhausted because you're not exercising. Forget about working out to lose weight. Forget about exercising to look good. Forget about reduced cravings. The most important thing about exercise is that it makes you feel good. The rest are just the wonderful by-products of making fitness a priority.
Need inspiration? The next time you feel tempted to click on the 'Snooze'
button, think of the Obama family. Think of Barack Obama, the president of the United States, who reportedly makes the time to head to the gym for a 45-minute workout, first thing in the morning. Think about First Lady Michelle Obama, who gets up early -- at 4.30 am -- for a 60 to 90-minute cross-training routine. And for those fabulously toned upper arms? She rounds off every workout session with a set of tricep pushdowns and hammer curls. Here's more on those exercises.
Towards more toned arms
Hammer curls
Hammer curls work the inside of the bicep.
How To: Position two dumbbells on either side of your body, palms facing in, arms straight. With your elbows by your sides, lift one dumbbell until your forearm is vertical
and thumb is in line with your shoulder. Lower the raised arm to the original position and repeat with the other arm. If you are a beginner, start with three or five-pound weights and two reps. Michelle Obama also incorporates Surya Namaskars, Shoulder Presses, Lateral Raises and Staggered Hands Push-Ups into her routine.
Triceps Pushdown
The triceps pushdown is considered one of the best exercises for the triceps.
How to: Face the triceps pushdown machine and hold the horizontal cable bar with an overhand grip. The bar should be at about chest level. Tuck your elbows into the sides and position your feet comfortably, slightly apart. Set a low weight with the pin and plate adjustment and practice a few reps to get a feel for how the device works.
NOTE: Please consult a trained professional before embarking on any fitness routine.
