... for those who are not party to Ab Fab's August Challenge, we are trying to do some (more) exercise every day in August. My own challenge is to do something about flabby upper arms.

I thought I'd start a topic where we can post ideas/articles/videos of exercises to banish bingo wings - starting with this one courtesy of Emm - thanks Emm.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=6UmRb4UphfM&feature= related

Good idea. Have to admit I have a tendency to neglect my arms a bit.

Like the link. Hadn't thought about looking on youtube for exercise inspiration.

Interestingly I learnt recently that when doing bicept curls it's important to slowly lower too as this will work the back of your arm too... (think that's your tricept but not 100% sure)

Carol - absolutely right. Muscles work in pairs. Controlled movement is the key - if you're flinging your arms around rather than slow controlled movement, it's not as effective (according to physio, am working on strength exercises for my shoulder/arm muscles).

Thanks, Fiona and Emm, for this link. Variety is the spice of regular fitness life, I think, and it's good to have a good range of recorded sets to banish the boredom factor as well as the bingo wings. It's probably good for the body too to do the exercises in a different order or in a different mix.
I have just viewed a range of the ones shown here and would like to point out to anyone starting off with arm exercises that it good to choose the ones which focus on technique or form first. They may be slower, but good habits are vital - especially with weights - not only to get the most out of the exercise, but also and perhaps mainly to reduce the chance of injury. Not all the clips I just viewed pay enough attention to this vital point for beginners. Slow, as Carol and Julia say, and with the correct technique will keep you safe and let you reap benefits.
Enjoy!

http://regimes.hotexercise.com/aerobics/how-to-ton e-those-flabby-upper-arms/

... and here are some we can do lying down

A little of topic but spotted one for lean thighs at Fiona's site that you can do watching the TV

http://regimes.hotexercise.com/aerobics/exercise-l ean-thighs/

Will that banish the unsightly wobbly bits on the inisde top of legs? Or am I destined to wear trousers forever?

... that and a diet of sticky rice!

I've been doing what Matt Roberts described as Walking Lunges recently along with my walk/runs and I've noticed a big change in the shape of my legs.

http://exercise.about.com/od/exerciseworkouts/ss/b estbuttexercis_3.htm

My BF even commented my bum had more shape and less dimples. Which I think was a polite way of saying there was less cellulite!

I posted this on the Exercise in August thread -

I know a good one for bingo wings - it's off an old '80's Callanetics video. Put your arms out to the side and turn palms down until they face back. Bring them straight across at the back and do 100 small movements as if you are trying to get your thumbs to meet - thumbs should be a couple of inches apart.

I'm doing about 150 of these a day so fingers crossed for slimmer Bingos in September!

(SBIS)

Emm - surely skirts cover this as effectively as trousers. Or do you wear aspire to wear hot pants, ultra minis or brief shorts?

... I did 100 last night (with weights) and it almost killed me!

Have just tested my cardio-respiratory fitness - shocking!!! Endurance and muscle strength are rubbish as well - the only good thing is I'm (apparently) very flexible - or maybe I'm just heading for a hip replacement

Off to do the arm workout now - goodnight anyone who's still here ....

Have you tried these: http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/ women/body_and_soul/article713208.ece

I don't use the weights with this one as it's just too much for me! Also on the callenetics video the counts were on a counter at the botttom of the screen as she did them and they are extremely quick - this makes it a bit easier!

Yes, if I remember rightly, body positioning and correct movement are the main things in the callenetics exercises. I was lucky enough to go to callenetics classes in the - oh, must have been? - 80s and weights were never used. It's about getting the right position - I just said all that! Really quick little movements while keeping the arms up as turned up and as high as possible, me thinks. It's tiring enough on it's own, and the palms are held so that you can't hold weights. I don't have a video player any more so I can't check, but I still have a couple of videos. Some people never change!

I do them facing the mirror so I can check my arms are straight and at the right height etc - I've got a little set of different exerciseds that I'm building up now.


... you can if they've got elastic straps on them as mine have

Arms are really aching today so last night must have given them a good workout.

Thanks Harriet - I remember tearing these out of the paper at the time, but I can't remember where I put them for safe keeping