Tag Archives: upper body strength

Can You Do a Push-Up?

You know what a pushup is, right? It’s a lift that you do using only your arms, controlling your frame and pushing up from the ground? The lift portion is that you are lifting your own body. Push-ups are ideal for building upper body strength and chest definition (yes ladies, it will help your chest too). Too often women think push-ups are only for men, but they aren’t. There are many variations on how you can do a push-up. So let’s talk about specific things you need to keep in mind when you do a push-up: First and foremost, you … Continue reading →

New Kids on the Climb

My husband enjoys rock climbing. He and friends have periodically made visits to an indoor climbing gym about five or six miles from here where they can go and spend a few hours taking the lazy way up the wall or the hard and arduous way. Rock climbing is a great way to get an overall body workout and for the many people who enjoy the sport – it’s a great deal of fun. Kids on the Move So imagine my surprise when I took my daughter to a birthday party last weekend on and one of the features at … Continue reading →

Measuring Your Strength – Upper Body

Do you remember the old Atlas ads that showed you the scrawny kid on the beach getting sand kicked in their face? I do – while it’s been years since I saw one. It’s important to measure your body strength in order to determine the progress you are making. Most gyms don’t necessarily do a strength test, however if you are working with a personal trainer or building your own exericse program – a strength test is going to give you a good barometer of where you are at and where to start. Most strength tests are testing your endurance … Continue reading →

Spring Forward to Action 30-Day Challenge – Day 9: Strength Training

As always, today we’re going to focus on strength training. Our last session of strength training on April 7 focused on core strength. Today we’re going back to working on the upper body. Begin with some warm-up and limbering stretches. Stand with your feet shoulder width apart and stretch your hands up to the ceiling palms facing upwards. Focus on loosening the tension in your back. Drop your hands down slowly. Focus your breathing so that with the inhale you lower your hands and with the exhale you push them up towards the ceiling again. Avoid tilting your back, you … Continue reading →

Day 2: Spring Forward to Action 30 Day Challenge – Strength Training

Your strength training today will focus on the upper body. Strength Training You will need free weights and a balance ball for this workout. In the event that you do not have weights, choose two heavy cans from your pantry. Make sure the cans are balanced in weight and easy for you to grip. Shoulder Raises Using 10 lb weights (or cans), stand with your feet shoulder width apart, knees not locked. Hold the weights at your side, arms loose but straight. You will be performing front and side raises. Lift your right arm and hand straight up in front, … Continue reading →