Picture me as one of those old-school newspaper boys that would stand on the corner shouting out the next big news for passersby to pick up and read. Why? Well, because I have the next big exercise moves post right here for you. Okay – that may not be “breaking news” material, but you all clearly wanted it!

After sharing some of my favorite back exercises, I had more than a few requests for similar posts with different body parts. So, I got myself decked out in my cute new 4all by jofit top – because if I’m taking a ton of pictures I want something quality, sweat-wicking, and flattering 😉 – and got to work.

Today, I’m delivering just like that old school paperboy. Triceps! Get your defined triceps!

One Armed Triceps Push-Up

Lay on your right side with your right arm crossed over your stomach. Place your left hand on the floor with your arm bent, in front of your chest. Complete a push-up motion and squeeze your tricep muscle for a full contraction at the top.

Double Arm Kickbacks

Bend over at the hips. Keep your back straight with your abs pulled in. Bring your arms up by your side, with your elbows in, to form two 90 degree angles. Extend arms back slowly. Return to start position and repeat for reps.

Triceps Plank Hold

Start in a straight leg, straight-arm plank position. Make sure your arms are directly under your shoulders. Lower your chest straight down to a couple inches above the floor and hold for 15-20 seconds. Push back up to the top. Go slooowllly for a good burn!  Repeat

Overhead Cable Extension

Set a cable machine at the highest height with a rope attachment. Grab the rope and face away from the machine. Start with your arms in a 90 degree position close to your ears. Extend your arms out straight, then move back to start position.

Dips

I think dips are my all-time favorite triceps exercise…and you need no weights! Place your hands just outside your hips while sitting on a bench with your elbows pointing back. Move your hips off the bench and lower down, then back up. Make sure your butt/back stay close to the bench as they go through the motion. The further you move your feet and straighten your legs, the more challenging the move becomes.

Lying Triceps Press

Hold a barbell with your hands in a narrow grip. Arms should be right at sides and the bar should come across your ribcage. Extend straight up at a controlled tempo.

Overhead Extension with Stability Ball

This is just your basic triceps overhead extension but with a balance component. Lean against a stability ball with your leg extended for balance/support. Drop the weight behind your head and then extend the weight back up.

Well, there you have it! Some of my favorite triceps moves to help you add some variety. Of course there are plenty more – cable pushdowns, lying extensions, skull crushers, etc. Plus, never forget that you work your triceps during many other exercises since they are a smaller muscle that will assist in bigger movements, such as chest work. A little bit will go a long way with working the back of those arms. 😉

• Do you like working your triceps? What is your favorite move?
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Disclaimer: I am NOT a certified trainer. Use any of the above at your own discretion.

I have a beast of a workout to share with you all this morning. Hold up. Let me clarify. This workout will not make you look like a beast. It will make you feel stronger than a beast. It will give you a hunger beast (aka that super hunger that sets in after hard training). A strong body to kick butt on my fitness endeavors? Me likey. A strong appetite reflecting a fired metabolism? Me likey that too.

I have only so much time to milk all I can out of my workouts. I like to go big or go home. Balls to the wall. Squeeze out every last drop. Okay, you get the picture.

I began my workout yesterday with my short, steady 2 mile run from my training plan. That run where I sorely missed my revamped workout playlist? Yea, that one. While completing my run, I dreamed up a circuit workout with a new mix of moves I wanted to try. I hopped off after my 20 minutes and got my self all set up in the weights area to bust out the little routine I came up with on my run.

My subconscious apparently had something against me. It had it out for me when dreaming up this circuit. Clearly…

• Speed Skaters – 20 reps per leg
• Kettlebell Swings – 15 reps total with 20 # kettlebell
• Wall Squat with Resistance Band Chest Presses – I grabbed a heavy resistance band and looped it around these wood columns we have in our gym. I did 45 seconds of a wall squat up against the column while simultaneously doing chest presses with the band.
• Planks with Spidermans – I held a straight arm plank for 15 seconds, then completed 10 “spidermans” (pull knee out and up to the chest) on my left side. I held a plank again for 15 seconds and did the final 10 spidermans on my right side.
• Toe Taps on the Step – A drill where I shuffle my feet quickly, tapping my toes up on a step. 45 seconds.
• Kettlebell Cleans – 10 reps per side with 20 # kettlebell
• Wide Stance Squat with Upright Row – 12 reps with 10 # dumbells

The combination of complex moves that work the entire body, plyometric style drills, and new-to-me equipment (kettlebells!) gave me a much tougher workout than I expected. I went through the circuit three times…and still finished in around 20 minutes! Wham, bam, thank – you – ma’am subconscious!

I felt the effects of this workout later in the day when I craved a hearty and filling dinner. I wanted my favorite enchiladas!

Kill the Hunger Beast Enchiladas

• 6 oz lean ground beef (or chicken or turkey)
• 1/2 can refried beans
• 1 cup corn kernels
• 1/2 cup diced onion
• 1/2 cup grated carrot
• 1 can green enchilada sauce
• 1 can 98% fat-free cream of chicken/mushroom soup
• 1 small can diced green chilies
• 12 corn tortillas
• 1 cup shredded cheese of choice

Preheat oven to 350. Cook your ground beef/chicken/turkey. In a large bowl, mix the filling ingredients (meat through grated carrot). In a separate mixing bowl, stir the enchilada sauce, soup, and diced chilies to create the sauce. Pour 1/3 of the sauce into the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish.

Place approximately two large spoonfuls of filling mixture into center of corn tortilla. Roll and place seam-side down in the baking dish on top of the sauce. Repeat until you fill all your tortillas. Pour the remaining sauce over the enchiladas. Sprinkle shredded cheese evenly over the top. Bake for 20 minutes, until cheese begins to bubble.

You can easily make this recipe without the beef and simply use the full can of refried beans. We use the beef on occasion for added texture. You can also use your personal favorite enchilada sauce. I do the soup mix in mine to create a thicker sauce because I’m a freak about thinner sauces making my enchiladas too soggy. Overall, lots of ways to mix this up and I’m sure they will all taste good. Unless you add some chocolate covered grasshoppers or something crazy like that. But I trust you’re smarter than that.

• Do you like enchiladas? Green or red sauce? What fillings?
• Of Possible Interest: Check out my interview as the “Fit Blogger We Love” over on the Fitness Magazine site this week!