Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Arabesque Arms with Weights: The Single-Arm Shoulder Burner
Day 11 of my 12 Days of Ballet-Inspired Fitness! Today we're isolating each arm in arabesque position with weights - and it's WAY harder than it looks. This burns like FIRE. ๐ฅ
What you'll need:
- Light hand weights (2-3 lbs recommendedโtrust me!)
- OR water bottles or no weights to start
Key tips:
โ Use LIGHT weightsโ2-3 lbs is plenty for this!
โ Arms stay extended the entire time (no bending elbows!)
โ Keep shoulders DOWN away from ears
โ Core engagedโdon't twist your torso as arms switch
โ The HOLD on the 3rd one is brutalโpush through!
โ Arms slightly in front of your body (not behind)
โ No momentumโcontrolled switching
โ Breathe through the burn!
This mimics the arabesque arm position dancers hold on stage - one arm forward, one to the side. But holding it while balancing is one thing. Holding it with WEIGHTS while alternating? That's a whole different level of shoulder torture. Your deltoids will be SCREAMING. This is serious upper body endurance training! ๐ช
How long before your shoulders gave out? Let me know!
๐ฉฐ Follow for Day 12 tomorrow!
๐บ Want the full 12-exercise workout? youtu.be/LJoP4yFTLOc
#12DaysOfBalletFitness #BalletInspiredFitness #BalletWorkout #ArabesqueArms #ShoulderWorkout #handweights
---
๐ซ I'm Kathryn Morgan, former New York City Ballet soloist. Dancers hold these arm positions for MINUTES on stageโthis exercise shows you just how much upper body strength that requires!
Subscribe for daily ballet-inspired workouts! Tomorrow is Day 12โthe grand finale!
Arabesque Arms with Weights: The Single-Arm Shoulder Burner
Day 11 of my 12 Days of Ballet-Inspired Fitness! Today we're isolating each arm in arabesque position with weights - and it's WAY harder than it looks. This burns like FIRE. ๐ฅ
What you'll need:
- Light hand weights (2-3 lbs recommendedโtrust me!)
- OR water bottles or no weights to start
Key tips:
โ Use LIGHT weightsโ2-3 lbs is plenty for this!
โ Arms stay extended the entire time (no bending elbows!)
โ Keep shoulders DOWN away from ears
โ Core engagedโdon't twist your torso as arms switch
โ The HOLD on the 3rd one is brutalโpush through!
โ Arms slightly in front of your body (not behind)
โ No momentumโcontrolled switching
โ Breathe through the burn!
This mimics the arabesque arm position dancers hold on stage - one arm forward, one to the side. But holding it while balancing is one thing. Holding it with WEIGHTS while alternating? That's a whole different level of shoulder torture. Your deltoids will be SCREAMING. This is serious upper body endurance training! ๐ช
How long before your shoulders gave out? Let me know!
๐ฉฐ Follow for Day 12 tomorrow!
๐บ Want the full 12-exercise workout? youtu.be/LJoP4yFTLOc
#12DaysOfBalletFitness #BalletInspiredFitness #BalletWorkout #ArabesqueArms #ShoulderWorkout #handweights
---
๐ซ I'm Kathryn Morgan, former New York City Ballet soloist. Dancers hold these arm positions for MINUTES on stageโthis exercise shows you just how much upper body strength that requires!
Subscribe for daily ballet-inspired workouts! Tomorrow is Day 12โthe grand finale!
