Trainer spills secrets of Michelle Obama's arms

[Kadie]

Trainer spills secrets of Michelle Obama's arms

By DARLENE SUPERVILLE, Associated Press Writer Darlene Superville, Associated Press Writer – 26 mins ago

WASHINGTON – At last, the secret to first lady Michelle Obama's sculpted arms? Tricep pushdowns and hammer curls.

So says Cornell McClellan, Mrs. Obama's longtime personal trainer, who described the workout routine of his famous client in the October issue of Women's Health magazine. She began working with McClellan in 1997 at his Chicago fitness studio.

"She's truly committed herself to the importance of health and fitness," he says.

McClellan said that at the end of an intense routine of cardio workouts and weight training, Mrs. Obama finishes with the "arm-shaping superset" of tricep pushdowns and hammer curls to tone one of the most commented-upon pair of arms in the world. Mrs. Obama often wears sleeveless outfits.

How to get arms like Mrs. Obama's?

Perform one set of tricep pushdowns using a straight bar attached to the high pulley of a cable station and then, without resting, follow with a set of hammer curls using dumbbells. Immediately repeat the entire process until two or three sets of both exercises have been completed.

The details of Mrs. Obama's fitness routine came as part of a series of interviews by President Barack Obama and Mrs. Obama on health care and their personal fitness and nutrition habits.

more...
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_us_obamas_health

[Lifelong Protester]

1. All right, I am all over that!

[Sarah Ibarruri]

2. She has the BEST arms ever - I need to start that routine nt

[Catshrink]

3. I'll get right on this...

I wanna look like Michelle. Of course, I'll need to grow about 8 inches and lose about 30 pounds, but I know I can do it.

[alfredo]

7. I would have to grow 5 inches, change gender, change skin color, and get

off my fat ass and work out.

[CTyankee]

4. I have a continuing problem with "tennis elbow" as a result of that trolley thingie.

Been there. Done that.

Doing this in your mid 40s is ok. Don't do it in your 60s like I did.

[AspenRose]

5. Well I guess I'm a fitness idiot, because I don't even know how to execute

tricep pushdowns and hammer curls. I can't afford a gym membership, much less a trainer.

Don't people just WALK and lift groceries anymore? :D

[grasswire]

6. not elites, silly (eom)

[KittyWampus]

9. Is there a YMCA? That's what I can afford.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

11. Priced a YMCA lately?

Too much for me. There are plenty of cheaper places, if you don't need a pool.

:hi:

[KittyWampus]

12. $37 per month here. But there is a heck of a start up fee. That's what my Dad got me last year

for my birthday. He paid for my initial membership fee.

[livetohike]

14. Count me in this number too

But if this is what it takes, then maybe I better get started :-).

[flvegan]

8. Correction: rest for a minute after finishing the second exercise.

That's a good superset, but that "immediately repeat" the process describes more of a giant set/superset hybrid, and is relatively unwise. Unless they're knocking the weight down each time and doing a superset dropsets, or what I call "ultimates"

Also, anyone considering trying this, please be careful. This is an advanced technique, so start with light weights.

On edit: I hope folks read the most important paragraph of the article...

"Mrs. Obama cited small changes to her family's diet that she says have made a difference. They include eliminating processed foods, cutting back on sugary drinks, eating more fresh fruits and vegetables, eating together more as a family and teaching her daughters how to read food labels."

[KittyWampus]

10. thanks for the tip. It is really appreciated.

[Ocracoker16]

13. Interesting

She has such beautiful arms. I have wondered how she got such toned arms, but I previously thought that she must be spending many hours a day to achieve that toned look. I am happy to learn that she gets those results from a pretty simple regimen. I will have to try the supersets. I have done both exercises, but I have never done them in a superset.