Summer is approaching quickly- are you still carrying some winter weight?  If your bikini body needs some work, try these 5 effective moves.  They'll give you a full-body workout and get you looking your best just in time for summer!

Lunge and Lateral Raise
Begin in a standing position with light dumbbells at your sides.  Keeping your upper body perpendicular to the floor, step forward with one foot until both knees are at a 90-degree angle.  Just before your back knee touches the floor, return to a standing position while raising the dumbbells away from your sides until they reach shoulder height.  In the standing position, your body will look like the letter “T.”  As you step forward with the other foot, slowly lower the dumbbells back to your side.

Complete 8-12 repetitions on each leg.

*Make it harder: At the bottom of the lunge (without your knee touching the ground) raise the weights away from your sides until they reach shoulder height.  Lower the dumbbells back to your sides before returning to a standing position.

Prone Dumbbell Row
Wide Grip- Lie face down so your chest is at the top of either an incline bench or stability ball.  Holding dumbbells with your palms facing your feet, pull the weights up to your sides until your elbows are just above the height of your back.  Slowly return the dumbbells until your arms are extended downwards.

Close Grip- Rotate dumbbells so that your palms are facing each other.  Keeping your elbows close to the body, pull the dumbbells up to your sides until they are just above the height of the back.  Slowly return dumbbells to starting position.

Complete 8-12 repetitions of the wide-grip and then 8-12 of the close-grip without taking a rest.

Jump Squat
Standing with your feet hip width apart and back straight, bend at the knees while allowing your hips to go backwards.   When your thighs are parallel with the ground, push up through your legs and get as much height as possible.  Land soft on your toes before letting your heels return to the ground.  Repeat the movement.

Complete 10-15 repetitions

*Make it easier- Perform the squats without jumping.

Close-Grip Dumbbell Press
Lie on a mat with your knees bent, feet flat, and dumbbells in each hand, palms facing each other.  With your elbows bent at 90 degrees, press the dumbbells directly above your chest.  Slowly return your elbows towards the mat with your arms close to your body.  Repeat the movement just before your elbows touch the mat.

Complete 10-15 repetitions

*Make it harder- Perform the exercise on a stability ball, focusing on keeping your hips up and abdominals tight throughout the entire movement.

V-Ups
Lie face-up on a mat with your legs out and arms extended above your head.  Keeping your legs and arms straight, raise your legs and torso at the same time, reaching towards your feet.  Slowly return your arms and legs to the starting position.

Complete 10-15 repetitions

*Make it harder- Return arms and legs to starting position, stopping just before they touch the mat.  Repeat movement from this position.

As a fitness expert and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, Steve Ettinger has built a reputation for empowering his clients and helps them achieve their personal fitness goals through customized programs. Armed with a degree in Psychology from Boston University, he uses his knowledge to help clients dig deep within themselves and get results.  He is also the author of a children's fitness book, Wallie Exercises.