An exercise for a beach body

The Seated Press Up

This is a simple upper body toning and core strength exercise you can do with only a chair or bench. Perfect for office workers or in your home workout routine.

It works your abdominals (tummy), latissimus dorsi (the bit that can flab above your bra at the back), teres major (holds your shoulder blade in place) and the triceps (bingo wings), forearms, rhomboids (between the shoulder blades), trapezius (across the top of your shoulders), and rotator cuff (which stabilises the shoulder joint).

Sit on a firm, stable chair with arm rests.

Grip the arm rests and slowly lift your body weight, just keeping balance with your legs – try not to hold any weight on them.

Hold for 2 to 10 seconds and rest. Repeat 10 times.

To progress. Sit on the edge of a chair, bench or table, palms down and grip the sides of the chair. Keep your hands directly below you shoulders. Push down through your palms and begin to lift off the chair Hold yourself starting at 2 and building up to 10 seconds. Rest between, repeat 10 times.

Let me know how you get on!

Julie