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As you may know, one of the items on my bucket list is to be able to do a pull-up. I may love my legs, but these scrawny arms are pretty much useless for anything more strenuous than opening a can of Sprite.
I've been saying I want to do a pull-up for years, but as of yet I've failed to actually attempt to do anything about it. I don't care to be super buff or one of those women who enter fitness competitions. All I want to be able to do is a single pull-up. (Or, more specifically three pull-ups, as my bucket list states.)
If you were reading my blog last year, you know it was a huge year of running for me. Almost 900 miles and three half marathons + two full marathons huge. Total craziness. As 2014 began, I decided I needed some serious time off, and January and February were comparatively light running months with less than 50 total miles combined.
But then March hit, and I felt the urge to get back into a fitness routine. This time, I'm running but also trying to add in some more weights for muscle and toning, something I've never been serious about before. I want that pull-up this year. Having toned arms is a nice perk, but I also want to love my arms for their strength. I also plan on crossing a second item off my bucket list when I run a Tough Mudder with my brother in Dallas in October. I know I'll need strong arms to maneuver through a 10-mile obstacle course.
I'm calling this my routine(ish) because I honestly don't have a set schedule for my workouts. Right now I'm enjoying a more relaxed routine where I do what I feel like and kind of decide as I go. However, just to give you an idea, a typical week of running usually includes a run every other day with maybe two days back to back.
Here's an example:
But then, sometimes I don't get a run in, and a week might go like this:
Womp. Womp. It happens.
So where do the arms come in?
Well, let me tell you.
Starting at the beginning of March, I have been including 15-25 minutes of arms before or after every run. I use free weights at the gym sometimes, but what I really like doing is following along with one--usually two--of the following workouts on YouTube in the comfort of my apartment with hand weights I bought at WalMart for cheap. (They're like $3-5 each depending on what weight you buy.)
I'm hoping to work up to more weight so I can tone up my arms and add some muscle and finally be able to do a pull-up! These are, in my opinion, excellent workouts that really make my arms burn, and I can tell I'm getting stronger. The Sarah Fit Show (the first two videos below) has some awesome workouts for legs, arms, and more. I have been doing leg workouts as well, but the arms are really what I want to improve on.
(Also--shameless plug--I have a bunch more workouts pinned to my Favorite Fitness Workouts Pinterest board and my Fitness Pinterest board.)
Feel free to let me know if you've found any good workouts that will help me get my pull-up. I'm also doing pushups, and the videos below include some shoulder work as well. I know pull-ups aren't all arms.
Wish me luck! I'll keep you posted.
*If the videos aren't showing up on your ipad/phone, here are the links: 1 | 2 | 3
Wish me luck! I'll keep you posted.
*If the videos aren't showing up on your ipad/phone, here are the links: 1 | 2 | 3
Click on the picture below to see how other ladies are loving their bodies this year!
*I am not a personal trainer or physician. This post is not intended to offer medical advice. Contact your doctor before beginning a fitness routine or if you experience pain while exercising.