Summer is on the way, and now is the perfect time to tone those arms and strengthen the upper body so you can show off in those tank tops and bathing suits.
Pablo Fisher, personal trainer and manager of NexGen Fitness of Edmond and Norman, said NexGen takes personal training to the next level. Instead of working out at the big commercial gyms, NexGen offers private personal training that's done one-on-one in private suites.
"The privacy aspect eliminates the possible nervousness people feel working out," he said. "During COVID, our private suites were a real game-changer too. People didn't want to be around a lot of people, and we clean and disinfect after each session."
Each client works out with an expert personal trainer in their own private, state-of-the-art, personal training suite. The suite comes fully equipped with cutting-edge weight training and cardio equipment, and clients never share this suite with a stranger.
"It’s just you and your personal trainer guiding you every step of the way," Fisher said. "We hold ourselves to a higher standard of fitness."
As for getting those arms and shoulders ready for the beach, Fisher has five go-to moves he says are effective at toning and building muscle.
1. Push Ups - Yes, everyone may dread push-ups, but they are one of the best upper body workouts. To start, get down on all fours, placing your hands slightly wider than your shoulders. Either remain on the knees, or straighten your arms and legs. Lower your body until your chest nearly touches the floor. Pause, then push yourself back up. Do two sets of 12-15 push ups.
2. Pull Ups - Many people can't do a true pull-up at first and use assistance or a chair to help. Grab the pullup bar with your palms down in a shoulder-width grip. Hang to the pullup-bar with straight arms and your legs off the floor, and pull yourself up by pulling your elbows down and until your chin passes the bar. Lower yourself until your arms are straight and do two to three sets of 12.
3. Reverse Fly - Lean forward, letting your arms hang down with weights in your hand. Slowly raise the weights until your elbows are level with your shoulders and squeeze your shoulders together. Lower back to starting position and repeat for three sets of 12 to 15.
4. Bicep Curl - Using heavy weights, stand with a dumbell in each hand down by your sides. Bring the dumbells all the way up to your shoulders by bending your elbows. Hold for a second, lower and repeat for two sets of 20 reps.
5. Tricep Skullcrusher - Laying on your back, clutch the barbell or weights right above your shoulders with your hands set about shoulder-width apart. Lower the barbell towards the forehead, but keep the elbows actively tucked in. Drive the bar back up, and keep your elbows tucked. Do two sets of 20.
For information, visit edmond.nexgenfitness.com.
