Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, September 17, 1995 TAG: 9509150134
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 12 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: LISA GARCIA STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
That about sums up women's worst fears when it comes to the flab that seems to get more excited about waving hello than the hand doing the work.
It draws attention - the wrong kind.
But Corne, a personal fitness trainer at the Downtown Sports Club, says it is not hard to tone the arms. It is not even expensive. And it is definitely rewarding.
Before she offers any answers, though, let's see what local clothing store owners and employees hear their customers say about arms.
``I call it `salt and pepper' because when you salt and pepper your food you feel it shake,'' said one saleswoman in a stylish woman's clothing shop.
``I hear [customers] talk about their arms all the time,'' said Martha Cox, owner of Martha's women's clothing store at Townside Festival on Franklin Road. ``One complaint is `I don't want clothes to emphasize my arms.'''
Although Cox said it's mostly older women who worry about the appearance of their arms, they're not the only ones who fret. Young women also ask for fashions that hide what they consider to be a body flaw.
Frances Kahn manager Rose Stavale said most of this fall's fashions are fitted, and that being fit is a topic of conversation for customers.
``Shape is very important,'' Stavale said. `` Women are very concious [of shape].''
Skirts are straight this year, as opposed to the flowing and looser styles of recent years.
Clothes are being made to conform to the human form.
Everything is belted, even suits.
And, cocktail dresses are out in every style or length - but most always without sleeves. They are off the shoulder or they sport decorative straps as thin as kite string.
``Sleeveless dresses are a hard sell,'' said Dorothy Osborne, owner of Panache on Kirk Avenue downtown.
Although many of her customers work out, Osborne has stylish solutions to the flabby arm problem. She points to a mannequin in a satiny pale blue dress with a halter top. The dress is elegant and fashionable with the addition of a shawl that easily decorates and conceals the upper arms.
Jeri Keen and Janet Surratt, buyers for J. Layman women's clothing store on Franklin Road, said they, too, hear customers complain about their arms.
But they are quick to point out that fashion spans a wider selection these days.
``There are always things for every body type,'' Surratt said.
Keen and Surratt said Roanokers are offered a ``really diverse fashion'' selection and are not dictated to by the fashion industry.
Roanoke women may not be dictated to, but maybe they don't want to just hide a body flaw. Maybe they want to fix it.
That's where Corne's fitness expertise offers answers. And expertise it is. She is an Alpine certified ski instructor who works part-time at Snowshoe ski resort and offers Roanoke's only ski fitness class at the Downtown Sports Club on Church Avenue.
Corne, 39, has been a professional skier for 15 years and claims to have only 11 percent body fat. When she talks fitness, one tends to listen.
Corne said toning the upper arms can be as simple as dashing out to the local K-mart or Wal-Mart for 3- to 5-pound dumbbells and then putting the arms to work.
To work the back of arms, Corne suggests triceps extensions. Sit on a chair, the edge of a bed or even stand while holding the arms above the head with elbows next to the ears. Holding one dumbbell with both hands, slowly lower the weight behind the head and raise it back.
Three sets of 10-15 repetitions of this exercise will tone and strengthen the backs of arms.
Don't have the money for dumbbells? No problem. Corne says a gallon of water or a heavy dictionary serve the same purpose.
Corne said working the biceps at the front of the upper arms also can be done using dumbbells. She suggests alternate dumbbell curls.
Holding a dumbbell in each hand, and either sitting or standing, curl one arm up to the shoulder while bending it at the elbow and then lower it. Do the same with the other arm. Try three sets of 10-12 repetitions of this exercise, taking a break between sets.
Corne said age should not deter women from exercise.
``I have one client in her mid-40s who is in excellent shape,'' she said.
Diet and nutrition are important in any fitness program and Corne advises drinking a gallon of sodium-free water each day.
``It does wonders for your hair, skin,'' she said, noting that it also helps women keep from retaining water.
Limiting alcohol in one's diet will help keep the mid-section lean, she said.
``After a certain age, alcohol is just useless calories and it all goes right to the mid-section and the back of the arms,'' Corne said. ``Alcohol slows the body's ability to break down fat.''
Corne suggests getting in a good workout before a really big night on the town.
``You could pump up before you put that dress on,'' she said.
Try lifting the dumbbells or doing push-ups by leaning at an angle and pushing away from a kitchen counter. Either exercise will pump the muscles and give them a more toned appearance.
Corne offered a warning about the effects of ignoring exercise on the days a woman wants to look her best.
``If you sit around all day drinking wine, you will be bloated that night,'' she said.
by CNB