- Denise Austin, 69, demonstrated a quick and easy arm workout on her Instagram.
- She says the strength-training moves are “so important,” especially for women over 50.
- Here’s how to do the workout yourself at home.
If there’s one person who consistently proves how quick and easy workouts can make a big difference, it’s Denise Austin. The fitness pro is our go-to source for new moves to add to our routines, whether she’s sharing simple Pilates exercises or teaming up with her daughter for a core workout. And there’s more where that came from, as the 69-year-old recently took to Instagram to share a simple strength training workout for “sculpted arms” with her followers.
“I truly believe to stay strong and feeling GREAT…strength training is one of the most important things you can do for your body!! It is not just about how you look… it is about how you FEEL,” Austin captioned her Instagram video. “Building lean muscle boosts your metabolism, strengthens your bones, and gives you the energy and confidence to show up fully in every area of your life!!… It is never too late to start and get stronger!!”
As with all of Austin’s workouts, the best part is you can do it in just a few minutes. All you need is a set of hand weights (she recommends starting with 2- to 3-pound weights and working your way up to 8 to 10 pounds). If you want to try out the workout yourself, we’ve got the details on each move below.
Pull downs
The first exercise “is for the upper back,” Austin explains, as she starts standing with her feet hip-width distance apart and her arms lifted straight above her head with one weight in each hand. “You’re going to do a pull-down,” she demonstrates, bending one elbow down toward her chest while popping the knee on the same side. “And lift back up,” she explains, returning to the starting position before repeating on the other side.
“This is for your lats, your upper back muscles,” Austin explains. “But notice your abs are nice and strong, your back is straight…This is working your upper back, but also your core, plus your arms.” Austin suggests continuing to do the move for one minute, alternating sides each time.
Arm swings
For the second and final move in the series, Austin bends her knees and leans her upper body forward with a flat back, similar to chair pose. With one weight still in each hand, she swings one arm in front of her and the other behind her before swinging her arms past each other to switch to the other side.
“[This] really stretches and tones at the same time. Working your arms, your chest, your shoulders,” she explains. “Make sure when you’re doing this, your abs are tight, your back is straight, and your arms, [upper back, and shoulders] are doing the work.” Like the first exercise, Austin suggests continuing this motion for one minute.
If you want to work toward strong, sculpted arms but only have two minutes to spare, try adding one or both of these exercises to your routine for a quick and effective arm workout.
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