arm flab - more reps? or heavier weights?

I have no idea ,, however this is a big problem of mine as well

Bump - hoping this gets answered

Ive been told that the last few reps should be hard to complete, if you are able to do your 10, 12, or 15 reps without breaking a sweat then move up on the amount of weight you are using.

I think everyone knows you cannot spot reduce, however you can target areas
to tone while losing weight, that is the question here

No personal experience (yet), but I'm trying to get ahead of the issue. There seems to be some info out there that makes sense: more weight loss (remove all possible fat), more weights (increase muscle mass), good lotion like stuff (e.g., post pregnancy products to increase elasticity and reduce stretch marks, also can help excess skin) - 2-3 x daily - especially before bed; more water, massage, exfoliating, losing weight slowly, cardio exercise, stretching, weight lifting (i.e., well rounded exercise programs). Some folks swear by certain products, other swear by something called "shake weight" specifically for arms. Again, I have no experience, but am sharing what I've read (all personal testimonials, not product hype).

I have also read that it can take up to two years for your body to adjust after lots of weight loss. I know the two year rule applies to post pregnancy as well.

I thought this was a good article and some of the comments were insightful.

http://allwomenstalk.com/how-to-tighten-loose-skin-after-weight-loss/

bumping to add to my topics... I'm struggling with this too.

I'm doing lots of reps with 10 pound weights. Like 50 reps a day, for months, and I am not seeing the improvement I want!

I would increase the weight. If you are doing that many reps your muscles are used to it. Try 12 lbs.

I second what Stan says about focussing on reducing fat levels generally. Fat around the tricep is a stubborn area and may be one of the last bits to go for most people - the only real way to beat it is to do your best to not think about it, and focus on the bigger picture.

Don't waste your time doing tricep exercises in isolation. Instead do multijoint exercises such as chest presses, shoulder presses as these burn more calories and have a more favourable hormonal response. Reps are pretty irrelevant - the notion that high reps tone is false!

Heavy weights!!! As heavy as you can comfortably use while maintaining correct form. Other posters are right, you should barely be able to do the last 2-3 reps. If you can do more than 12-15 at a time, your weight is not heavy enough.

I still have about 15 lbs. to lose, but my arms are more toned than any other part of my body. And by toned I mean they are noticeably smaller and the muscle shapes are visible. I just turned 40 (female) and have no arm flab at all.

If I'm using a machine, I will use 70-80 lbs. for lat pulldowns, and 60-70 lbs. for chest press.
I use 15-20 lbs. free weights (dumbells) for bicep curls, and overhead shoulder presses. The lat pull downs are what toned my triceps the most.

And for comparison sake, I have been working out with the same person for over a year now, she never uses more than 7.5 lbs. dumbells and never goes above 30 lbs. on the machines. Her arms have not changed in a year, no visible muscle tone and still has arm flab.

neither...lose fat

I think it's important to distinguish between excess fat on the arms that can be reduced or even irradicated through reducing overall bodyfat, and excess skin that is left behind after the fat is gone.

Surgery should not be considered until you have reached a healthy weight. As i said in my earlier post, arm flab can be one of the last areas to go.