Much like the notion of a “beach body,” we know, of course, that your body is always theoretically “party dress ready.” Put on a party dress and, voilà, a party-dress-ready body! But there’s something about the high likelihood of running into love interests (brand new, ongoing, former, whatever) and the passive-aggressive (or just plain-old aggressive-aggressive and, well, rude) comments from every family member ever that can really drive you to want to look (and, more importantly, feel) 100% all holiday-party season long. And for us, that means arms that are toned and capable looking – think Michelle Obama at a White House state dinner. You know, in the spangly Vera Wang?
We digress: Back to those arms. These nine moves, which come courtesy of Pilates guru Erika Bloom (Kerry Washington’s a megafan, and you know Olivia Pope’s arms are capable of handling – get it?! – a lot), will get them feeling strong and ready to show off in that sleeveless shift dress in no time.
Credit: Eric Tanner via The Coveteur
Move #1: Elbow to Knee
Begin on all fours with your hands under your shoulders and your knees under your sitz bones. Find a long neutral spine, wide collar bones, and a connected core. Lift your right arm forward and your left leg back. Inhale and reach your fingertips away from your toes until your spine lengthens into an arch. Exhale and deepen your stomach in toward your spine to draw your right elbow to your left knee, allowing the spine to round. Repeat for ten reps, then switch sides to do ten reps on the opposite side.
Credit: Eric Tanner via The Coveteur
Move #2: Opposition Reach
Lie on your back with your legs in tabletop position and your arms reaching up over your shoulders toward the ceiling. Exhale to engage your deep core around a neutral spine. Reach your right leg out to 45 degrees as you lengthen your left arm back overhead. Inhale to return to your starting position. Repeat on the opposite side, being sure to keep a stable pelvis and a connected core. Do ten alternating reps on each side.
