Arm definition tends to be more of a concern in the summer; however, the winter months’ fashion can be just as unforgiving. Sweaters add bulk and hello, Holiday and New Years Eve party dresses?!? One awesome, simple exercise to tighten the upper body muscles is the front lateral raise.

Start with 3 or 5 pound weights. Stand a little wider than shoulder-width apart. Your hands should be positioned around the weights so that your palms are facing you. Slowly raise the weights up keeping them parallel. Be sure to keep your arms straight and your palms downward.

Pay attention to your balance and posture. Where are you placing the weight in your feet? Much like a squat, you should be placing most of the weight on your heels. Your core should also be engaged. Stand tall, shoulders back and tummy in. If you begin to swing the weights up, shifting your balance,  scale back. As you lower the hand weights, you should still be in control. Keep the movement slow; defy gravity ladies!

You want to fatigue the muscle group without losing form. If you begin to arch your back while lifting the weights, you have reached your limit. But, you can switch to a lower weight and get those last reps in as well!

Try 3 Sets of 12-15. For an extra challenge do 10 flutter raises at the top, before lowering the weights back down.

You got this!