Building up muscle throughout our bodies is a big positive for health and weight loss as the more muscle we have, the more effective our metabolism will be.
Integrating a few simple upper body exercises into your routine is a great way to tone the area (who doesn’t want gorgeous, shapely biceps and triceps) as well as keep it in shape for the future, especially as your baby turns into a toddler and gets heavier and heavier.
We have gathered our top 4 arm toning exercises from our 28 Day Challenge exercises which you can see below.

All Fours Reverse Fly

all-fours-reverse-flyStarting Position
Kneel on a mat on all fours with your knees hip width apart and hands at shoulder height gripping dumbbells. Ensure your back is flat and belly button pulled in toward your spine.
Execution
Engage your core, exhale raise your right arm out to shoulder height, keeping your elbow slightly bent. Keep your hips facing down, back straight and core engaged throughout the movement. Inhale as you slowly return your arm to the starting position. Repeat exercise with opposite arm and leg.
Benefits
Strengthens core muscles, back, shoulders and arms.

Incline Push Up

Incline_knee_push_upStarting Position
Start in push up position, placing your hands down onto the step at shoulder height, keeping elbows slightly bent and head in alignment with your spine. Ensure your lower legs and tops of the feet are on the floor.
Execution
Inhale, bend your elbows slowly and lower your body toward the step. Keep your elbows as close to your body as possible. Hold for one breath with your chest approximately 3 inches off the step. Keep your head and neck in alignment. Exhale and return to starting position by pushing your upper body away from the step and extending your arms straight. Keep a slight bend in the elbows at the top. Tighten your core area and keep your neck, back and hips in alignment. Repeat exercise.
Benefits
Increased chest, tricep and core strength

Bridge With Chest Fly

bridge_with_chest_flyStarting Position
Lie flat on your back on the floor. Bend your knees and place your feet flat on the floor, shoulder width apart and a few inches away from your torso. Pull your belly button toward your spine and extend your arms directly in front of you at chest height.
Execution
Exhale and lift your hips off the floor, keeping your back straight and glutes contracted. Inhale and slowly lower the arms out to the sides until they are level with your chest. Keep your elbows slightly bent throughout the motion. Squeeze through your chest, exhale and raise arms back up to starting position. Roll down through your spine and return your lower body to the floor. Repeat exercise. For a higher intensity exercise, hold your lower body in Bridge position while performing Chest Fly repetitions.
Benefits
Strengthens glutes, legs, chest, arms and core.

Marching Dumbbell Shoulder Circles

Marching_arm_circlesStarting Position
Holding dumbbells, begin by standing straight with feet shoulder width apart and arms by your side. Lift your arms out to the sides at shoulder height.
Execution
Begin by making small circular motions forward with both arms on either side while you begin lifting your feet into a gentle march. Breathe in and out throughout the movement and continue this motion for 30 seconds. Repeat exercise in the reverse direction. Release arms to the sides of the body.
Benefits
Shoulder strength and flexibility
healthy eating meal plans