Brighten up your Monday with the first installment of the Zaggora Upper Body Workout! The three-week series is an easy, accessible and effective way to start making your New Year an active one. It was designed exclusively for Zaggora by Lucy Miller, Fitness Editor of Health & Fitness Magazine.
Lucy is also here to answer all of your burning fitness questions, so after putting your upper body to the test be sure to leave your questions in the comments for her to answer. For an introduction to Lucy and her expert background, check out her website, Facebook page or Twitter feed.
Now let’s get started! First, warm up so your body is limber for today’s exercises: tricep dips and side plank leg lifts. For best results, do three circuits, taking as little rest as possible between each move. Rest for 45 seconds after you’ve completed an entire circuit.
HIT THOSE TRICEPS…WITH TRICEP DIPS
Lucy Miller demonstrates tricep dips.
Tricep dips are an effective exercise for toning your upper arms. Once you get the hang of them, try straightening your legs to make them harder.
Reps: 10
1. Sit on the edge of your sofa and place your palms face down next to your thighs, fingers gripping the edge.
2. Place your feet on the floor in front of you with your knees bent.
3. Walk your feet forward so your hips and bottom are in front of the sofa, then bend your elbows and lower your hips until your upper arms are parallel to the floor.
4. Push back to start, but don’t lock your elbows out.
Try the harder version of tricep dips for a challenge.
NIP YOUR WAIST IN…WITH SIDE PLANK LEG LIFTS
Lucy Miller powers through the side plank leg lifts.
This variation of the side plank targets your shoulders, waist, abs, back, outer thighs (saddle bags), and bottom.
It’s a harder variation than your usual side plank so you can always start by resting on your knee until you get stronger.
Reps: 10
1. Place your right elbow on the ground and extend both legs out so that your body forms a straight line and you’re balancing on the outside edge of your right foot.
2. Keeping your spine lengthened and your abs engaged, lift your left leg up just higher than your top hip. Then slowly lower it back to your bottom leg.
3. Keep your waist up and lifted and don’t sink into your bottom shoulder.
Balance on your foot in the harder version of the side plank leg lifts.
Two new exercises will be unveiled each week, so make sure you check back next Monday for part 2.
In the meantime, have questions for Lucy about these exercises or anything else fitness-related? Post them below and she may answer in a follow-up blog post!
You can also connect with Zaggora on Facebook, Google Plus and Twitter, and pin our photos on Pinterest. See you there!
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Need workout to slim down upper and lower legs- Help !!!!
Thank you! Perfect timing!
like it!
Fabulous a great workout does not take much time. The am sure I will get great results.
I purchased the hotpants an jacket i am so glad i purchased as it is giving me results, an now u have these exercises so cool
Very good choices the easier version and harder version
chair dips: add a weight (or a kid) to your lap
side planks: come up on your palm of your hand
sorry, I reread your comment. I for some reason thought you wanted a harder version of each- lol…I am going to take a nap now
Bought my 2nd piece pants. My first piece was the full length n it really works. My 2nd piece was the short pants n hope to slim dwn more.
have the full length pants need exercise to tone knees,calves and ankles please help
what do you do if you have thick loose skin on front thigh hanging over knee. and weight is normal and BMI 19%. Ugly ugly ugly can you burn this off? I run every morning 1 hour and do weights and knee lunges.
Dr. Oz just addressed your issue on a his show last week. You can probably find the segment at doctoroz.com. Good luck!
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Can some please help me and give me honest opinions, I want to purchase a pair of hot pants for my stomach and butt area, but my question is and any feedback would be greatly appreciated, what kind should I buy, the Atomica hot capri or the fold over capri??? I am looking at purchasing the pants as well as the capri I just don’t know which ones???? And one more question r they true to size, or do u have to get the a size smaller????? and help or feed back I would be greatful before I make my purchase. Thank-you Jackie
Hi Jackie, the only difference between the Atomica and Fold Over HotPants is the design on the waistband. Otherwise the features and material are the same so just depends on which look you prefer! As for sizing, they are meant to be snug and run a bit small so we advise you choose the bigger size if you’re between sizes. You can read more about fit at http://zaggora.com/pages/QA.html#zaggora-exercise-wear-product-sizing