I saw this today and it's going immediately in my "To Do" list for the week! Basically, despite the bored looking model, the instructor - Marie Claire UK's fitness guru - Joanna Hall gives a no nonsense speech on how to get long, lean arms with a tricep move called "Pilates Scissor Lift", and urges us to give up the "Kick Back" - which is a standard tricep exercise. (That happens to be one I've been doing for the past few weeks and struggling with.) Even better, this does not encourage using heavy weights!
According to Joanne, the problem with many tricep exercises is this:
"They engage more then just the triceps, so we start losing technique and comprising on our posture, ending up in an exercise that can create a kind of hunched over, bulkier look -- which we really don't want."
Pilates Scissor Lift Specifics and Tips:
Dumbbell Weight = .5 to 1.5 kilos (or 1 to 3 lbs.)
Number of reps = 12 to 16
Perform slowly and keep elbow soft. Really use the tricep muscle.
1. Choose light weights.
2. Hold the weight lightly, and keep the elbows soft.
3. As you extend arm back, make sure you really engage the tricep.
Video here
