Bye Bye Arm Jiggles

 

Tired of that shake, rattle and roll, especially when it’s on your arms? So are the stars. With the hot summer weather giving us confidence to show off more skin in revealing swimsuits, sleeveless tops and halters, what’s a woman to do? Today’s women want an upper body that’s sleek and well-toned, strong, but not too muscular. Here, some actresses give their tips for keeping arms in tip-top shape. 

 

By Bonnie Siegler

 

 

SARAH JESSICA PARKER’s

Sexy Arms: She had to maintain Sex In The City arms for many years, but Parker is still an A-list fashionista who wants to look toned all the time. “I do upper body exercises with two-pound weights to keep my arms and shoulders fit,” reveals Parker. “It helps me feel strong and
gives me definition without creating bulging muscles.”

 

Sleek-Arm Secret: To keep your upper body toned and taut, try the flye. Lie on your back, knees bent, arms extended at sides. With a two-to-five pound weight in each hand and elbows slightly bent, lift weights until in line with shoulders. Slowly lower. Do three sets of 10 to 12 reps. Bonus: You’ll also be working your chest.

 

MADONNA’s

Material Girl Biceps: Madonna is one buff beauty, thanks to yoga and Pilates. It’s no wonder that this gorgeous mama of three is as sexy as ever. The material girl is proud of her upper body, revealing cut upper arms in sleeveless dresses, tanks and sexy costumes when touring. “I used to do yoga religiously but began Pilates when I had my horseback riding accident. It helps me get full use of my arm, plus it really tones up the muscles.”

 

Sleek-Arm Secret: Give weight-lifting a Pilates twist with arm circles. Stand tall with your back against a wall, arms at sides (three to fiv) pound weights optional). Walk your feet out eight inches from the wall, heels together, toes pointed out slightly.

Inhale and raise arms to eye level, then exhale and circle arms out to sides, around and down to starting position. Reverse the circle by opening arms out to sides and up to eye level, then down. Do five reps.

 

REBECCA ROMIJN’s

Sexy Shoulders: So she’s the gender bending character, Alexis Meade, on the hit series Ugly Betty, but this former supermodel and new Bebe spokesmodel looks great in nothing as she has shown us in the X-Men movie series when  wearing only blue paint as Mystique. Romijn knows her very livelihood depends on a sleek form. “I have big shoulders, but they’re toned,” says Rebecca. “I like to keep them that way, so I still do some swimming to stay in shape. I used to compete while I was in school.”

Sleek-Arm Secret: Try this land-loving twist on the backstroke. Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, arms at sides. Raise right arm and swing back in a circular motion, then follow with left arm, alternating as if swimming. Continue for two minutes.

LINDA EVANGELISTA’s

Perfect Biceps: The Canadian-born supermodel is as known for her ever-changing hairstyles as she is for her well- toned and healthy body. Boasting a star on the Canadian Walk of Fame in Toronto, Evangelista still commands high figures for her own figure, whether it’s on the catwalk or a magazine cover. “When I work out, I do the whole body in about 20 minutes, doing bicep curls to keep my arms toned.”

 

Sleek-Arm Secret: Evangelista’s bicep exercise is a regular on the workout circuit, but it still does wonders for this body part. Standing, hold five- pound free weights at your thighs, palms facing up. Keep elbows tucked in, and wrists and palms in line with forearms. Exhale as you curl the weights to chin area, squeezing biceps. Inhale as you slowly lower the weights to the starting position. Never throw the weight or arch your back; instead, do the curls slowly. Do 12-15 reps; two to three sets.

 

DEMI MOORE’s

Amazing Triceps: “I do regular push-ups, but they’re hard when you’re just beginning,” admits Demi Moore, who has flashed her firm upper body in
many a movie and more recently, wearing sleeveless and strapless designer gowns on the arm of husband Ashton Kutcher. “It’s better to start with incline push-ups which are a bit easier but still work the back, triceps, biceps, shoulders and chest.”

 

Sleek-Arm Secret: If you’re a push-up pro, you know the drill. Though if you’re a rookie, take Moore’s incline advice. Place hands on a countertop, shoulder-width apart. Bend elbows and drop chest to counter. Push up by straightening arms. Do three sets of 10-12 reps.

 

SARAH MICHELLE GELLAR’s

Buff-y Upper Body: When kicking the crap out of weekly vampires on Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Gellar did a gruelling workout combining kickboxing, tae kwon do and some street fighting. Since then she has decreased her intensity, but still works out for her demanding roles in The Grudge and The Grudge 2. As the voice of April in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, the actress didn’t have to relate to exercise, but still kept up her three-times-a-week workout schedule. “Besides the kickboxing and gymnastics, I like to do a gentler form of exercise such as Pilates. I really do like the martial arts aspect of exercise…it’s such explosive energy.”

 

Sleek-Arm Secret: Stand with left foot forward, fists near face. Punch left arm out, palm down, then return to start. Punch 12 times, then step right foot forward and punch with right arm. Do three sets.