Loose skin occurs as a result of aging or dramatic weight loss. As a person ages, the elasticity in the skin diminishes as collagen production begins to slow. When someone experiences dramatic, rapid weight loss without proper exercise, muscle is lost along with the fat. Though a person may weigh what he once did, his body makeup has changed, holding less muscle and a higher fat percentage. Repeated daily exercises will help to tighten loose skin--regardless of the cause.
Sagging Arms
To tighten up the skin hanging from the upper arms, you need to work out your triceps and biceps. Sit at the edge of a weight bench or chair with a dumbbell in each hand. Start at two to three pounds and work your way up in weight when the exercises are too easy. For triceps, raise your arms above your head. Keeping your arms up, touch the dumbbells together and bend your elbows, lowering the dumbbells behind your head. Raise the dumbbells up and back down without moving anything other than your forearms 10 times. For biceps, lower your arms to your sides with the dumbbells in hand and bend the elbow, raising the dumbbells to your shoulders, then back down and repeat 10 times.
Thighs, Glutes and Hamstrings
Walking lunges are a great way to build lean muscle and tighten the skin in the thighs, glutes and hamstrings. To do walking lunges, start standing with your feet hip-distance apart. Then, keeping your back straight, hands on hips, take one big step forward without extending yourself with your left foot leaving the right foot in place. Lower until your left leg is at a 90-degree angle at the ankle, knee and hip; and your right knee is also bent with all joints at a 90-degree angle. Stand back up and then step forward with your right foot in front of your left and bend until your left knee is toward the ground and all lower joints are at 90-degree angles. Take 12 to 15 steps per foot for one set, and do four to six sets per day.
Stomach
Crunches performed on a stability ball will increase the intensity of this common abdominal exercise. Lie comfortably with your back on the ball. Roll yourself back until your head and shoulders are off the ball keeping your abs tight and your upper body straight. Touch the sides of your head with your hands, and using your abdominals, lift yourself up and pause, then lower yourself down. Repeat 12 to 15 times for one set, and do four to six sets with pauses between sets.
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