Arms
Exercise: Toned, sculpted arms are hotter now than ever before. Celebrities like Eva Longoria and Cameron Diaz have proven that a muscular, athletic body type is much more attractive than a stick-thin figure with little to no volume. If beautifully toned arms are something you desire, the Floor Dip is an exercise that will definitely help you achieve this. Simply sit on the floor with your knees bent and your arms at your sides, directly beneath your shoulders. Next, attempt to raise your hips off the floor so that you are propped up in a crab-like position. Finish the exercises by slowly bending your elbows and lowering yourself to the floor without touching. Repeat 12-15 times in sets of 2 or 3.
Runway Recommends: Dry skin is a common problem that affects women and men alike, especially during the summer months. The best way to treat dry skin is to treat the source of the problem first. Certain body soaps have been known to actually cause dry skin. Because of this, many companies have developed body washes that contain ingredients that treat dry skin. Runway recommends first cleansing with Burt’s Bees Naturally Nourishing Milk & Shea Butter Body Wash (about $8 at drugstores), then moisturizing with Burt’s Bees Naturally Nourishing Milk & Honey Body Lotion (about $10 for 8 oz. at drugstores). Both products use natural ingredients like aloe and sunflower oil to relieve and moisturize dry skin. Once you’ve achieved the smooth and toned arms you’ve desired, you’ll have the confidence to show off your body and let your arms be bare in the steamy summer months.
Stomach
Exercise: Crunches are one of the most well known exercises for the stomach. They are easy, manageable and incredibly effective. However, the Bicycle Crunch is a more complex version of the crunch that has been known to provide amazing results. When done correctly, the Bicycle Crunch incorporates all four abdominal muscle groups. Lie on your back with your knees bent in a tabletop position. Next, place hands behind your neck, and thrust your left elbow toward the right knee. Crunch back down toward the floor. Next, repeat the same move in the alternate form by moving the right elbow toward the left knee. Repeat 12-15 times in sets of 2 or 3.
Runway Recommends: Stretch marks are unavoidable. What’s even more unfortunate is the fact that stretch-mark creams are often ineffective. There are creams available that contain a high concentration of copper and vitamin C, which help prevent stretch marks from spreading. Meanwhile, stretch marks can be easily hidden with a quality waterproof foundation. Runway recommends CoverBlend by Exuviance ($16-$22), as it was formulated to conceal and correct all types of visible skin imperfections including stretch marks. CoverBlend also provides ingredients that promote anti-aging benefits, as well as protection from harmful UV radiation.
Butt
Exercise: Achieving an ideal butt to fill out your tiny summer bikini is incredibly possible with a little hard work and determination. As far as exercise is concerned, one of the best ways to ensure success is to create a workout plan and stick with it. Hip extensions are a great exercise that target the gluteus muscles and can be easily incorporated into a daily workout routine. Start out with your hands and knees placed on the floor, but still keep your back in a tabletop position. Next, slowly lift your left leg upward while keeping your knee bent at a 90-degree angle. Finally, slightly lower the leg toward the first position, and then, with control, pull the leg back up into the second position. Repeat 10-15 times on each leg in sets of 2 or 3.
Runway Recommends: While you’re working on achieving firm backside muscles, why not attempt to strengthen your skin as well? Nivea My Silhouette! Redefining Gel-Cream (about $15 at drugstores) is a reasonably priced skin-firming cream that uses a Bio-Slim complex as well as white tea and anise extract to tighten and redefine skin. After you’ve incorporated My Silhouette and hip extensions into your daily routine, you’ll be tempted to show of your backside in an even tinier summer bikini.
Thighs
Exercise: The term “thunder thighs” causes women all across America to cringe. Thighs are often a problem spot, since they fall into the normal weight distribution pattern for women. Luckily, there are many exercises to make unwanted thigh bulge a thing of the past. Runway‘s favorite thigh workout is the Plyometric Squat Jump. This exercise has a higher intensity level than the typical squat. The Plyometric Squat Jump involves forcefully jumping up after each squat is finished. It’s important to remain in a neutral position when doing the squat jump. Repeat this exercise for 1 minute straight, rest and then attempt to repeat the exercise again for 1 more minute. When executed correctly, this workout will help create stronger, longer and leaner thighs.
Runway Recommends: Not only are there so many anti-cellulite treatments to choose from these days, but it’s also hard to determine which ones are actually effective at reducing cellulite. Try St. Ives Cellulite Shield Gel Creme (about $8 at drugstores), which contains green tea, caffeine and citrus extracts to naturally treat skin bumps and dimples. The Cellulite Shield is clinically proven to significantly reduce the appearance of cellulite in as little as two weeks.
Legs
Exercise: As the weather starts to get warmer, the clothes start to get shorter. Sexy shorts and skirts look even sexier with strong legs to match. Runway‘s Explosive Lunges are an easy addition to your everyday routine that will help you achieve the results you desire. Begin this exercise by facing forward with feet shoulder-width apart and both hands on hips. Next, lunge forward with your right leg. Immediately jump up and switch legs mid-air, landing with your left leg in the forward lunge. Continue this for at least 1 minute. Explosive Lunges are perfect to stretch, shape and sculpt your legs.
Runway Recommends: Let’s face it-shaving is not something most women look forward to. Unfortunately, when we try to take the easy way out, our legs often have to suffer the consequences. Razor burn happens to everyone, but luckily it’s preventable. Skintimate offers a variety of shaving gels that leave your legs irresistibly smooth. Specifically, Skintimate Moisturizing Cream Shave (about $3 at drugstores) is made with natural soothing ingredients like olive butter and vitamin E to help prevent razor burn and irritation.
Back
Exercise: Backless dresses are a timeless look that is accented best with a nicely sculpted back and shoulder muscles. Floor Y-T-I Raises are a trio of exercises to help target your upper back, lower back and shoulder muscles all at once. Begin this exercise by lying on the floor facedown with your arms completely straight and at a 30-degree angle to your body. Your palms should also face each other and your body should be in a “Y” shape. From here, raise your arms as high as you comfortably can and hold this position. The next position involves moving your body into the “T” shape by placing your arms perpendicular to the rest of your body. Again, raise your arms as high as you comfortably can and hold this position. Finally, move your body to the “I” position by placing your arms above your head in a straight line. Raise your arms as high as you comfortably can and hold this position. Continue rotating between the 3 positions for about 1 minute, then rest. Complete 3 sets of this exercise for optimal results.
Runway Recommends: Breakouts are more common during the summer months due to the warmer weather. Moreover, with a need for less clothing, unexpected back breakouts are often hard to hide. Preventing or treating breakouts on the back can be as simple as taking a shower. Murad Acne Clarifying Body Spray ($37) is an ointment that was created specifically to treat “bacne” and other body breakouts. It includes a revolutionary 360-spray bottle to help you heal blemishes in hard-to-reach places.