Michelle Obam in San Juan, Puerto Rico

Michelle Obama looks great in her favorite sleeveless dresses. She was seen on the cover of March’s Vogue in a sleeveless silk sheath, the cover of People in a lacey pink dress and continues to appear in countless other magazines, each time sporting her famed sleeveless look. However, not just anyone can pull off this style. In order to look as flawless as Mrs. Obama in these chic sun dresses, you must get your arms toned and looking good.

Her arms have now become a trademark, alongside her textile belts. Michelle’s long and lean toned arms have even inspired women to get up and workout. Women in the gym are no longer asking how to get “Madonna arms” but rather, how to get “Obama arms”. "The Obama effect has been that women of all ages have been inspired to take responsibility for their health and their body," says Ryan Duggan, a personal trainer for Go Sleeveless. "As the First Lady of the United States, at 44 years old, and with two young children, Mrs. Obama has shown the world that you are never too busy to take care of yourself and look good doing it too," he says.

(Joyce N. Boghosian/The White House)

Michelle has said she works out for 90 minutes, 3 days each week. She and President Obama wake up these mornings at 5:30 a.m. to workout, then have breakfast together. But lifting dumbbells alone will not give you the toned "Obama arms” you want. Toned arms come with also losing body fat; this is achieved by consuming fewer calories than you burn each day. Trainers suggest performing a low intensity cardio exercise for 30 minutes, 5 times each week or a high intensity cardio exercise for 20 minutes, 3 times a week. Then, to get those desired arms, grab some light weight (about 5 pound) dumbbells and do 12 to 15 repetitions for each exercise – bicep curls, tricep kickbacks (to exercise the back of the arm) and shoulder and lateral raises.

Some critics have griped about Michelle exposing her arms too frequently. She often has been seen wearing sleeveless dresses while other women were in long sleeves and business suits.

Do you think Michelle is rockin’ the sleeveless look? Or is it time to put away the guns?

For an explanation and detailed instructions of all the exercises mentioned in this article, visit the American Council on Exercises library.