Here Is How to Get “Tank Top Arms” for Summer

Do you want to get your arms toned and sculpted in time for summer? Emily Ogan is a fitness coach and trainer who boasts over 284k,000 Instagram followers. She regularly shares workouts on how to get fit fast, helping “busy women find balance + results” through exercise and counting macros. She recently shared a new tank top arms workout, “to get those arms strong, toned, and ready for summer!”

Don’t Be Afraid to Lift Heavy

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“Arm strength is so important for our ever day life 💪🏼- think about how often we’re carrying, lifting, pushing, and pulling every day🙌🏼! When lifting arms, don’t be afraid to lift heavy- those last 2 reps should be a STRUGGLE,” Emily says.

Tank Top Arms Workout

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Emily shares her Tank Top Arms Workout: 1-2-3 Pod Style. “Complete all moves in the pod for recommended reps and sets (1st move is 1 set, 2nd move is 2 sets, 3rd move is 3 sets) before moving to next pod,” she says.

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Pod 1

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💪🏼Bicep 30s (10 wide, 10 neutral, 10 v)- x1

💪🏼Alternating hammer curls: 15 reps total x2

💪🏼Bicep Curls: 10 reps x 3

Pod 2

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💪🏼Weighted Dips: 20 reps x 1

💪🏼Kickbacks: 15 reps x 2

💪🏼Skull crushers: 10 reps x 3

Why You Need to Lift Heavy Enough

In another post, she discusses the importance of lifting heavy enough. “Well how heavy exactly? Is 10 lbs heavy? Or should I be closer to 30 lbs? How do you even know?” she asks. “When following a strength training routine (which, if you’re over 35 you NEED to be doing 3-4x a week) lifting heavy is the way to go if you’re trying to burn fat, build lean toned muscles, and reshape your body.”

If the Last 2-3 Reps of a Set Aren’t Hard, Your Weights Aren’t Heavy Enough

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“Let’s break down what lifting heavy means, exactly,” she says. “The last 2-3 reps of a set should be hard…as in you can still complete them with proper form but BARELY. This is typically considered getting ‘to failure’- but you don’t have to go this far at every set! However, by the end of the set, you shouldn’t have more than another rep or 2 in you while keeping good form.”

Form Should Be Top Priority

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“Form should always be your top priority,” she reveals. “But as you progress and nail your form, don’t doubt how strong you are. Women often underestimate how much they can lift, especially in the legs + glutes. Challenge yourself within reason- increase in small percentages while maintaining excellent form, and you’ll be surprised at how much you’ll be able to add over time.”

You Should Need to Rest Between Sets

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You should need to rest between sets, she adds. “At the end of a set, you should feel your heart bumpin’ and like you need to walk it off for a minute. Similar to running, if you’re able to maintain an easy conversation during your set, it’s not heavy enough! When you find yourself gritting your teeth, grunting, or forcefully exhaling, you’re probably in the sweet spot.” She adds: “Remember: if you’re cruising through your sets and don’t feel the need to rest- it’s time to up your weights!”

She Recommends Progressive Overload

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“Lifting with a program focused on progressive overload (gradually increasing intensity in variety of methods) will give you the BEST results are the most effective and efficient workouts,” she concludes.

💪🔥Body Booster: If you are doing an arm workout and the last two to three reps aren’t hard, you need to up your weights.

We've all been there – standing in front of the mirror, waving our arms, and watching that extra flab jiggle. But what if you could transform those "bat wings" into toned, sculpted arms with just a few minutes of targeted exercise each day? Enter Meredith Shirk, a National Academy of Sports Medicine Certified Personal Trainer (NASM-CPT) and the founder of Svelte Training. With her impressive credentials, including specializations in Fitness Nutrition, Behavior Change, and Weight Loss, Meredith has designed a quick and effective arm workout that promises to help you say goodbye to flabby arms for good.

Understanding Arm Fat

Before diving into Meredith's workout, it's important to understand what arm fat is and why it matters. According to WebMD, "Arm fat is extra skin and fat located under your arms." While some arm fat is normal and healthy, excessive amounts can be more than just a cosmetic issue. WebMD explains, "While having some subcutaneous fat is good for your health, having too much can cause health issues, including an increased risk for certain cancers, fatty liver disease, gallbladder disease, and more."

The Root Causes of Arm Fat

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Arm fat doesn't appear out of nowhere. WebMD states, "Extra skin and fat in the arms can be caused by obesity, significant weight loss, or genetics. Individuals born female are at a greater risk of carrying excess weight in their arms." Understanding these factors can help you approach arm fat reduction more effectively.

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Say Goodbye to Bat Wings

"I have an awesome bat wing workout, so you're not going to be waving those wings any longer," Meredith enthusiastically begins her post. This workout is specifically designed to target those troublesome areas and help you achieve the toned arms you've always wanted.

Monkey Pumps: Your Secret Weapon Against Flabby Arms

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Meredith kicks off the workout with her favorite exercise: monkey pumps. "It's just as it sounds," she explains. "Grab it and pull it down." To perform this move:

1. Align your elbows with your shoulders and wrists
2. Open up and close your arms
3. Keep your elbows above your chin to target your triceps and chest

Meredith emphasizes the importance of proper form: "You want to think about keeping that elbow above the chin line because that's really going to push a lot on your triceps and your chest."

Arm Circles: Small Movements, Big Results

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Next up are small arm circles. "Really think about tennis ball size here," Meredith instructs. Perform these circles in both forward and backward directions. This simple movement targets multiple muscle groups in your arms and shoulders, helping to tone and define your upper body.

Lateral Raises: Engage Your Whole Body

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Lateral raises are more than just arm exercises. Meredith explains, "You actually have to do something with your body, meaning you're here, you're lifting and you're really pulling your legs in together at the same time as squeezing your core and your rhomboids and your lats." This full-body engagement maximizes the effectiveness of the exercise, helping you burn more calories and build more muscle.

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Scissors: Cross-Training for Your Arms

The final exercise in Meredith's routine is scissors. "We go from here, we're here, right? And then we're here and then here," she demonstrates. "So now we're crisscrossing our arms." This movement targets both your biceps and triceps, providing a comprehensive arm workout in one simple exercise.

Fine-Tuning Your Technique

Meredith offers additional advice to maximize your results: "If you want to get a little bit more of your bicep, come across with it here and then go inside. You can have almost overlapping bicep curls. You do more tricep by putting your hands flexed and then going faster, pulling your chest back, shoulders up."

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Putting It All Together

Meredith combines these exercises into a quick, high-intensity routine:

1. 30 seconds of monkey pumps
2. 30 seconds of arm circles (15 seconds forward, 15 seconds backward)
3. 30 seconds of lateral raises
4. 30 seconds of scissors

"Those are our exercises. We're going to be doing all types of exercise. Make sure your triceps, your biceps, and your back, stay lean. So we avoid the bat wings," Meredith explains.

The Importance of a Holistic Approach

While Meredith's workout is effective, it's important to remember that spot reduction isn't possible. WebMD advises, "Natural treatment options for arm fat include diet and exercise. Since arm fat is often associated with being overweight or losing a significant amount of weight, the first step is changing your eating habits and incorporating more exercise into your days."

The Key to Effective Workouts

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Throughout the workout, Meredith encourages movement: "When you think about this, you can walk around because you shouldn't be in a static place anyway. Life should not be static for you. Working out should not be static for you."

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Push Through for Results

Meredith doesn't sugarcoat the challenge: "If your arms are not feeling like 1 million pounds, then you're not doing this right." She encourages you to push through the discomfort, reminding you that "it's going to burn, and it's okay."

The Foundation of Effective Exercise

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Throughout the routine, Meredith emphasizes proper form: "Chest up, shoulders back, meet in the middle, come out and reach." She also reminds you to "Face those hands to you. Come out and reach."

Don't Forget This Crucial Element

Meredith consistently reminds you to breathe throughout the workout. "Breathe in. Breathe and pull," she encourages, highlighting the importance of proper breathing techniques during exercise.

The Path to Success

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Meredith concludes with an inspiring message: "Do this consistently and you will see that fat go away!" She adds, "It doesn't have to be hard, it doesn't have to be long. It doesn't have to be scary, but it can be a lot of fun and you can do it in less time you thought possible."

However, it's important to set realistic expectations. As WebMD notes, "You shouldn't expect to see results right away. In fact, losing stubborn fat can take months of continuous effort. Your progress will depend on you. If you're already at a healthy weight, it may take only a few weeks to notice results. However, those at a higher weight may not see results for a while."

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You Can Do It

While Meredith's workout is an excellent starting point, remember that a holistic approach is key. WebMD suggests, "For the best results, it's important to combine a decent sleep schedule with a well-balanced diet and a vigorous exercise routine." By combining Meredith's targeted arm exercises with overall healthy lifestyle habits, you'll be on your way to toned, sculpted arms in no time. And if you enjoyed this article, take advantage of these 31 Fitness Tips Every Beginner Needs to Look Sexy, According to Coaches.

Many women struggle with arm fat, or what they often call "batwings," and are looking for ways to tone up and achieve leaner arms. Michelle Roots, a kinesiologist, personal trainer, and nutrition coach with over 17 years of experience, shares awesome videos to guide you through realistic methods that truly work. Michelle debunks common myths like spot reduction, explains the importance of strength training, and emphasizes the need for consistency and a well-balanced diet. With the right combination of exercises, proper nutrition, and a smart approach to fitness, achieving toned, lean arms is entirely possible—just not in a week. Patience and dedication are key to long-lasting results.

The Truth About Arm Fat Loss

Michelle, in her popular video, begins by addressing the misleading information often found online. "How to lose arm fat in three days, how to lose arm fat fast, how to lose arm fat in seven days," she says in her video, highlighting the unrealistic promises made by some fitness influencers. "It really frustrates me because I deal with so many women who have a negative body image and they just really are putting in the work and working so hard and then getting frustrated or feeling like they're a failure because they're not getting results in seven days and it's not their fault."

Stephanie Mansour, a trainer, adds: "I encourage my clients to do an arm workout at least three times a week to build muscle, plus cardio at least twice a week to help with overall fat and calorie burns," she told NBC News.

Understanding Arm Fat

Several factors contribute to the appearance of arm fat, including genetics, age, and lifestyle changes. Michelle explains in her video, "As we age, you begin to lose muscle mass at a faster rate, which means your metabolism is going to naturally slow down if you're not doing anything to counterbalance, either maintaining the muscle you have or continuing to increase your lean muscle as you age."

It's also important to note that some jiggle is normal. Michelle demonstrates this point: "See this jiggle. I've got jiggle too. I just want to say it is a little bit normal when you're not flexed to have some jiggly skin."

The Myth of Spot Reduction

One of the most persistent myths about arm fat is the concept of spot reduction. Michelle debunks this idea in her video: "So if you're not sure what spot reduction means, it's basically if I only just went and did tricep extensions on the cable machine or anywhere, if I only did tricep exercises, is that going to help tone up the back of my arms? No, this is a myth, so our bodies just don't work that way."

The Cleveland Clinic supports this view, stating: "Losing weight essentially comes down to one thing: By burning more calories than you're eating, a math solution called a calorie deficit. You can create a calorie deficit by reducing your calorie intake or combining fewer calories with more exercise."

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Realistic Tips for Toned Arms

Michelle, in her video, offers three key tips for achieving leaner, stronger arms:

1. Lock in Your Nutrition

"Whether your goal is body recomposition or strictly fat loss, you want to make sure you were eating either at maintenance or in a slight calorie deficit in order to lose body fat," she says.

2. Be Consistent and Patient

"Don't be flexing in the mirror every single day and shaking your arm every single day to see if anything has changed. Put in the work, show up consistently week after week and watch the magic happen," Michelle advises.

3. Strength Training

"If your goal is to see lines, see how I have a little line here, a shoulder cap, you want to see some tricep lines, you want to see biceps... if you want to see all this stuff, you're not going to get that from just doing cardio and eating in a calorie deficit," she says.

Effective Arm Exercises

Michelle in her video recommends a combination of compound and isolation exercises for building arm strength and definition. Some of her favorites include:

• Chest press (can be done with dumbbells or barbells)
• Pull-ups or chin-ups (or assisted versions)
• Overhead press
• Cable tricep extensions
• Dumbbell skull crushers
• Pushups (including variations like diamond pushups)
• Bicep curls
• Dumbbell lateral raises

The Importance of Overall Health

While focusing on arm exercises is important, it's crucial to remember that overall health and fitness play a significant role in achieving toned arms. As the Cleveland Clinic suggests, "The Mediterranean Diet pyramid is one way to visualize what foods you should eat and how often... All Mediterranean Diet pyramids encourage you to eat mostly veggies, fruits, whole grain, and extra virgin olive oil while limiting red meat and sweets."

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Exercise — The More, The Better

Additionally, proper rest is essential. UCLA Health warns, "When it comes to exercise, more is not always better. Exercising too much — too often or too intensely — can lead to problems. It can even stop you from achieving your fitness goals."

By following these expert tips and maintaining a balanced approach to fitness and nutrition, you can work towards achieving the lean, strong arms you desire. Don’t forget that it's not a sprint but a journey that requires patience and consistency, but with the right approach, you can see real, lasting results. And if you enjoyed this article, don't miss 12-3-30 Walking Method: 20 Proven Tips to Lose Weight Faster.