The muscles located on the back of your arms are your triceps. My favourite exercise for this area is Lying Barbell Extensions, (a.k.a. Head-bangers). To perform this exercise sit on the edge of a flat bench firmly holding a weighted barbell (approximately 4-6 inches of space showing between your index fingers). Lie back on the bench and extend your arms directly overhead from your shoulders. Keeping the elbows motionless, slowly bend your arms and lower the bar to the rear and downward in a semicircular arc until it is one inch from your forehead (or to a position on the bench behind your head). Without bouncing, use your tricep strength to return the bar back along the same arc to the starting point. You can also perform this exercise with dumbbells.

Shaun Karp is a certified personal trainer in Vancouver. For further information call his office at 604-420-7800.