5 exercises to get rid of bingo wings/tuckshop arms

It’s a sad fact of life that after years working hard, picking up babies, pushing trolleys, folding laundry and cooking dinners that our arms don’t stay tight and firm.

Bingo wings, tuckshop arms, flabby flaps – whatever you want to call them, they are often one of the most disliked body parts. But did you know that you don’t always have to hide them away?

There are ways you can tighten up your arms so you can wear tops again.

1. Press ups

Steps

• Line your hands up with your shoulders on a flat surface, making sure palms are flat and fingers are forward and your legs are straight, almost like you’re planking. If this is uncomfortable, put your knees on the floor.
• Lower yourself by bending your elbows out to the sides until your chest is just above the floor, making sure your hips don’t sink and your back is straight.
• Push back up and repeat as much as possible, preferably 10 times.

2. Push ups

Steps

• Position yourself at arm’s length from the wall, placing your hands at chest height and shoulder width apart.
• Tuck your elbows in and bend your arms to lower yourself towards to wall, letting your heels come off the floor
• Push back and repeat 20 times

3. Tricep dips

Steps

• On the edge of a chair, place hands next to the hips then lift up onto the hands and bring the hips forward.
• Bending the elbows (no more than 90 degrees) lower the hips down.
• Push back up without locking the elbows and repeat 15 times

4. Flexing

Steps

• Sit up straight or stand with feet hip-width apart.
• Hold a small dumbbell, a bottle or water or a can in each hand.
• Start with your arms at your sides, flex your arms from the elbows up to the shoulders and down to your sides, repeat 10-15 times.

5. Reach

Steps

• With your dumbbell or bottle in one hand, lift it as if you were throwing it over your shoulder
• In this position lift back up and straighten, then go and reach down again, repeating 5-10 times

Other tips

• Upper arm fat can be caused by toxins in the body and also low testosterone levels, particularly in older women.
• Boxing, body pump classes and yoga are all great for working and toning the upper arms.