Toning the arms

Carrie6o6
Carrie6o6 Posts: 1,443 Member
edited September 19 in Fitness and Exercise
I've heard that the fastest thing you can tone on a woman is the arm. I really dont like my "fat wings" as I call them hahaha What exercises can I do to tone my arms? I dont want to look all muscular... just firm!
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Replies

  • Carrie6o6
    Carrie6o6 Posts: 1,443 Member
    I've heard that the fastest thing you can tone on a woman is the arm. I really dont like my "fat wings" as I call them hahaha What exercises can I do to tone my arms? I dont want to look all muscular... just firm!
  • Iceprincessk25
    Iceprincessk25 Posts: 1,888 Member
    THere are a TON of exercises for your arms

    Bicep Curls - normal grip, reverse grip, hammer curls
    Tricep Extensions-
    Anterior & Lateral Deltoid Raises
    Push Ups
    Lat Pull Downs
    Upright Rows

    My arms are my favorite thing to work out! You can do a ton of reps with a light weight to get more of a toned look.
  • MisoSoup79
    MisoSoup79 Posts: 517
    Biceps curls, hammer curls, triceps extensions and nosebreakers are great. A fun twist on the biceps curls is 21's. You can search for these exercises online and see how to perform them... might even find some stuff on YouTube. :)
  • Carrie6o6
    Carrie6o6 Posts: 1,443 Member
    Thank you very much ladies! :smile:
  • mrsyac2
    mrsyac2 Posts: 2,784 Member
    FYI- Females can't bulk up from using weights- A womans body can only get so big those women you see that look like a man are using enhancements

    There is a reason why men can get so big its called testostrone and we females don't have it.

    As for exercises

    Skull Crushers are good
    Kick Backs
    Over head Tricep extensions
    Dips
    Tricep pulldowns are all good

    do 3 sets of 12-

    Don't be afraid of weight training it is good for you and makes you look better having some muscle definition
  • Iceprincessk25
    Iceprincessk25 Posts: 1,888 Member
    FYI- Females can't bulk up from using weights- A womans body can only get so big those women you see that look like a man are using enhancements

    There is a reason why men can get so big its called testostrone and we females don't have it.

    Actually Females do have testosterone in their bodies. It's just that is something like 20 times less than the levels than men have.
  • tiedye
    tiedye Posts: 331 Member
    Try 8 minute arms, the video on youtube (just search "8 minute arms") It's really easy to do at home whenever you have spare time and you can use cans of food or real weights. It's a good way to start out with some toning exercises :smile:
  • mrsyac2
    mrsyac2 Posts: 2,784 Member
    FYI- Females can't bulk up from using weights- A womans body can only get so big those women you see that look like a man are using enhancements

    There is a reason why men can get so big its called testostrone and we females don't have it.

    Actually Females do have testosterone in their bodies. It's just that is something like 20 times less than the levels than men have.
    Okay well let me correct myself then:

    we don't produce enough of it to make us big muscular wise our muscles can only get so big without the help of enhancements which are steroids and the ones women use are testosterone which is why those women start taking the shape of a man- Square jaws and deeper voices- Just like if a man was given birth control pills- Thats the point I was trying to make-
  • mrsyac2
    mrsyac2 Posts: 2,784 Member
    Women's Weight Training Myth #1 -Weight training makes you bulky and masculine.

    Due to the fact that women do not, and cannot, naturally produce as much testosterone (one of the main hormones responsible for increasing muscle size) as males do, it is impossible for a woman to gain huge amounts of muscle mass by merely touching some weights. Unfortunately, the image that may come to your mind is that of professional female bodybuilders.

    Most of these women, unfortunately, use anabolic steroids (synthetic testosterone) along with other drugs in order to achieve that high degree of muscularity. In addition, most also have good genetics coupled with an unbelievable work ethic that enable them to gain muscle quickly when they spend hours in the gym lifting very heavy weights. Believe me when I say that they do not look like that by accident. Women who conduct weight training without the use of steroids get the firm and fit cellulite-free looking body that you see in most fitness/figure shows these days.
  • fragable17
    fragable17 Posts: 28
    i have naturally big arms... is there anything i can do to tone them without them getting bigger?
  • mrsyac2
    mrsyac2 Posts: 2,784 Member
    i have naturally big arms... is there anything i can do to tone them without them getting bigger?
    Please don't take offense!
    Here is my question are your arms fat? Do you have a lot of fat on your arms? If so they may seem big now but when you lose more weight and get closer to your goal they may not seem so big.

    Or do you have big muscular arms? with very little fat?

    My motto is if you can pinch it it's fat-lol- take no offense I say it to myself
  • Carrie6o6
    Carrie6o6 Posts: 1,443 Member
    Try 8 minute arms, the video on youtube (just search "8 minute arms") It's really easy to do at home whenever you have spare time and you can use cans of food or real weights. It's a good way to start out with some toning exercises :smile:

    Thanks a lot! What a cheesy video though! Is that the right one? hahahaha
  • fragable17
    fragable17 Posts: 28
    no it isn't fat. it comes from years of being the most physical person in a house of girls and also working at walmart lifting heavy items as well as my 40 pound son. now the rest of my body is definitely fatty but somehow my upper arms missed that part. my shoulders and arms are very um... manly i guess you could say and so a lot of womens clothes dont fit my arms and shoulders properly.
  • Mom_To_5
    Mom_To_5 Posts: 646 Member
    Was about to go to bed and saw this, will read more in the morning!!

    THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!
  • onmywaytoskinny155
    onmywaytoskinny155 Posts: 228 Member
    How many reps of these exercise should you do?
  • 12by311
    12by311 Posts: 1,716 Member
    Don't be afraid to UP your weight when you are lifting. As you grow stronger you need to move up from that 20 lb dumbbell to the 25 dumbbell and so on.
  • Carrie6o6
    Carrie6o6 Posts: 1,443 Member
    20lbs! Ive only been using 3lbs! hahaha
  • songbyrdsweet
    songbyrdsweet Posts: 5,691 Member
    20lbs! Ive only been using 3lbs! hahaha

    Well, is that honestly heavy and challenging to you? I have had a serious shoulder injury, so 5 lbs feels challenging when I'm doing my PT stuff, so I'm not knocking the lower weight. But honestly, your triceps are the largest muscle group in your arm, so you should be able to use more weight on your triceps than your biceps. I generally press (triceps) with about 20-25 lbs and pull (biceps) with 15. If I were using less weight, I'd be something like the 3 for biceps and 5-7 for triceps. And a gallon of milk weighs about 8.5 lbs, and I know you can lift that. :wink:
  • 12by311
    12by311 Posts: 1,716 Member
    Well, is that honestly heavy and challenging to you?

    This is what I'm saying. Not to use 20 lbs but to challenge yourself. At some point after working with 3 lbs for a while, they are no longer going to be really effective.

    When I lift, I am sweating up a storm...you should be exerting yourself...In my opinion anyway.
  • Iceprincessk25
    Iceprincessk25 Posts: 1,888 Member
    How many reps of these exercise should you do?

    I'd start with something like 2 sets of 12-15. When you are able to do all of those without any fatigue it's time to move up to 3 sets.

    I would start out with 8lb weights for bicep curls. SBS has been lifting for a while and is ripped so don't let their heavy weight scare you. When you can so all 3 sets with no problems then you know it's time to move up to 10lbs ----> 15lbs ----> 20lbs etc.
  • songbyrdsweet
    songbyrdsweet Posts: 5,691 Member
    Well, is that honestly heavy and challenging to you?

    This is what I'm saying. Not to use 20 lbs but to challenge yourself. At some point after working with 3 lbs for a while, they are no longer going to be really effective.

    When I lift, I am sweating up a storm...you should be exerting yourself...In my opinion anyway.

    I totally agree. If I'm not grunting at least a little, it's not heavy. That goes for 6, 18, or 15 reps. It should always feel difficult.
  • Rottiemama
    Rottiemama Posts: 66
    Well, is that honestly heavy and challenging to you?

    This is what I'm saying. Not to use 20 lbs but to challenge yourself. At some point after working with 3 lbs for a while, they are no longer going to be really effective.

    When I lift, I am sweating up a storm...you should be exerting yourself...In my opinion anyway.

    I totally agree. If I'm not grunting at least a little, it's not heavy. That goes for 6, 18, or 15 reps. It should always feel difficult.

    OK...I just read the post and went to 8 Minute Arms and did the video!!! FANTASTIC!!! I didn't use any wieght since I am a beginner and believe me you can feel it just going through the motions!! I love this website....thanks so very much!!! I swear I can't thank you enough!!!
  • Carrie6o6
    Carrie6o6 Posts: 1,443 Member
    Yeah... First I was trying out the 2lbs which felt like nothing for my triceps.. So I went to my 3lbs.. Which still feel like nothing.. .Will have to get bigger weights I guess! My triceps are the worst! I HATE them! They are not too bad... but still a bit flabby hahahaha
  • arewethereyet
    arewethereyet Posts: 18,702 Member
    the best one YET for me is so darn simple. A trainer showed me.

    use a step or sturdy chair/coffee table.

    sit with hands on either side of you, slid your butt off. Then you dip down. When I can 'feel' it I know I am low enough.

    MAN I get the triceps awesome with this one!:drinker:
  • 12by311
    12by311 Posts: 1,716 Member
    Yep, I definitely love dips.

    I make my players do them on the bleachers and any time they groan over something I'm telling them to do, I know it's worth it! haha.

    When I was in high school, I remember being after to "look ugly" in the weight room. I was afraid to lift weights heavy enough to make my face scrunch and lip quiver. Now, I don't care what I look like. I guess it comes with age. :glasses:
  • arewethereyet
    arewethereyet Posts: 18,702 Member
    Yep, I definitely love dips.

    I make my players do them on the bleachers and any time they groan over something I'm telling them to do, I know it's worth it! haha.

    When I was in high school, I remember being after to "look ugly" in the weight room. I was afraid to lift weights heavy enough to make my face scrunch and lip quiver. Now, I don't care what I look like. I guess it comes with age. :glasses:

    You are living proof Ms TN! look at those guns!:bigsmile:
  • mrsyac2
    mrsyac2 Posts: 2,784 Member
    Yep, I definitely love dips.

    I make my players do them on the bleachers and any time they groan over something I'm telling them to do, I know it's worth it! haha.

    When I was in high school, I remember being after to "look ugly" in the weight room. I was afraid to lift weights heavy enough to make my face scrunch and lip quiver. Now, I don't care what I look like. I guess it comes with age. :glasses:

    I hate when my lips move like my face is having a spasm lmao-
  • arewethereyet
    arewethereyet Posts: 18,702 Member
    Yep, I definitely love dips.

    I make my players do them on the bleachers and any time they groan over something I'm telling them to do, I know it's worth it! haha.

    When I was in high school, I remember being after to "look ugly" in the weight room. I was afraid to lift weights heavy enough to make my face scrunch and lip quiver. Now, I don't care what I look like. I guess it comes with age. :glasses:

    I hate when my lips move like my face is having a spasm lmao-

    Or that grunting sound I make on that last I HAVE TO DO THIS move........:huh: :laugh:
  • 12by311
    12by311 Posts: 1,716 Member
    Thanks "arewethereyet". :smile: I've been working my arms pretty hard the last couple of months now, so I'm glad to finally start seeing some results. Still have a ways to go!

    The entire facial muscle spasm is the best. haha!

    I was so proud of some of my girls in the weight room the other day. One was benching and the other was spotting. The one benching was struggling with her last set and the other one was cheering her on saying, "Grunt it out!!" and she did; she was screaming like crazy to get that last rep. I was a happy weight room mama. :tongue:
  • mrsyac2
    mrsyac2 Posts: 2,784 Member
    Yep, I definitely love dips.

    I make my players do them on the bleachers and any time they groan over something I'm telling them to do, I know it's worth it! haha.

    When I was in high school, I remember being after to "look ugly" in the weight room. I was afraid to lift weights heavy enough to make my face scrunch and lip quiver. Now, I don't care what I look like. I guess it comes with age. :glasses:

    I hate when my lips move like my face is having a spasm lmao-
    Or that grunting sound I make on that last I HAVE TO DO THIS move........:huh: :laugh:

    I must confess I don't grunt but I breath out instead- I workout in what I like to call the Sweaty B*lls room in the gym- All men I am typically the only girl in there hitting the weights except for the other chics that sit around watching their boyfriends lift- I always turn my IPOD up louder cause they are so loud with either their breathing or grunting it makes me laugh some times lol- It sounds like soft porn sometimes depending on how many are in there lmao---


    My husband always teases me about how much it must suck that I workout with all the guys cause I am constantly removing heavy *kitten* weights 100-200lbs per machine or bar- I told him it helps keep my heart rate up- :tongue:

    HAHA Friday at the gym one of the guys was near the bench press that I just finished so my weights were still on it and I was like do you want to use it he said No thats too much weight for me- obviously being a smart *kitten* but it was funny
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