The excess skin and fat that is located under your upper arms have many nicknames, including bat wings, arm flaps, floppy arms and water wings. Regardless of the name, flabby underarms are no fun and can make many women feel cursed. You can firm your underarms by burning off the fat and toning the muscle — called the triceps — located on the backside of your upper arms. Add a combined cardio-triceps workout to your weekly routine to firm your arms and get rid of your bat wings.
Cardio
Start your underarm workout with five to 10 minutes of light cardio to warm up your body and muscles. Do three sets for each exercise for a full workout. In addition, end your workout with a 10- to 30-minute cardio session, if you have time. This will help you burn fat after your sugar stores have been depleted during the muscle-strengthening workout.
Triceps Extensions
Overhead triceps extensions can be performed standing, or sitting on a chair or on a stability ball. Firmly grasp a dumbbell that is heavy enough for you to do no more than 10 to 12 repetitions. Extend your arms above your head so that your elbows are in line with your ears. Bend your arms backward and lower the dumbbell behind your head. Lower until your elbow creates a 90-degree angle. Lift the dumbbell back up and repeat the exercise.
Kickbacks
Triceps kickbacks help to isolate and tone your triceps for an effective underarm exercise. Stand with your feet apart and your right leg about one foot out in front of your left. Lean slightly forward and rest your right hand on your right thigh. Grasp a dumbbell with your left hand and bend your left arm at the elbow so the dumbbell is pointing down. Keep the arm close to your body and slowly extend your left arm backward until it is straight. Maintain tension in your upper arm throughout the exercise. Switch your legs and repeat, using your right arm.
Pushups
Pushups are an effective exercise for your triceps that you can do nearly everywhere because it requires no equipment. Begin by lowering your hands and knees to the floor. Position yourself so that your body is aligned from your head to your knees with no bend at your hips. Slowly bend your elbows, lowering your upper body to the floor. Pause briefly and gradually raise yourself back to start. Repeat 10 to 20 times. Make the move harder by lifting your knees up and positioning your tiptoes on the floor.
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