Having lean and sculpted arms is a fitness goal for many people. Not only do toned arms look great, but they also enhance overall strength and functionality.
If you’re looking to strengthen and tone your arms, here are the top 10 workouts that can help you achieve your goal.
1. Push-Ups
Push-ups are a classic and effective exercise for building upper body strength. They primarily target the triceps, shoulders, and chest muscles. To perform a push-up, start in a plank position with your hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
Lower your body until your chest touches the floor and then push back up.
2. Tricep Dips
Tricep dips target the back of your arms, helping you achieve that coveted “arm jiggle-free” look. Sit on the edge of a stable chair or bench, with your hands gripping the edge.
Slide your hips forward and lower your body while bending your elbows. Push yourself back up to complete one rep.
3. Bicep Curls
Bicep curls specifically target the biceps muscles, which are responsible for flexing the elbow joint. To perform a bicep curl, stand with a dumbbell in each hand, palms facing forward.
Keep your elbows close to your sides as you curl the weights up towards your shoulders. Lower the weights in a controlled manner, and repeat.
4. Hammer Curls
Hammer curls work the biceps brachii as well as the brachialis, giving your arms a sculpted, three-dimensional look. Hold a dumbbell in each hand with your palms facing your body.
Keep your elbows close to your sides and curl the weights up, maintaining the neutral grip throughout the movement.
5. Tricep Kickbacks
Tricep kickbacks isolate and target the triceps muscles. Start by holding a dumbbell in your right hand and bend your left knee, resting your left hand on a bench or chair for support.
Lean forward, keeping your back flat, and extend your right arm behind you. Lower the dumbbell back to the starting position and repeat on the other side.
6. Diamond Push-Ups
Diamond push-ups are a variation of traditional push-ups that give your triceps an extra challenge. Get into a push-up position, but bring your hands close together under your chest, forming a diamond shape with your fingers.
Lower your body towards the floor, keeping your elbows close to your sides, and push back up.
7. Shoulder Press
Shoulder presses target the deltoid muscles, which are responsible for shoulder mobility and strength. Stand with a dumbbell in each hand at shoulder level, palms facing forward. Press the weights straight up until your arms are fully extended overhead.
Lower the weights back down to shoulder level and repeat.
8. Tricep Pushdowns
Tricep pushdowns are a great exercise to isolate and target the triceps muscles. Attach a straight or angled bar to the high pulley of a cable machine. Stand facing the machine, with your feet shoulder-width apart.
Grip the bar with your palms facing down and push it down towards your thighs, fully extending your arms. Slowly return to the starting position and repeat.
9. Arm Circles
Arm circles are a simple but effective exercise for toning the shoulder muscles. Stand with your feet hip-width apart and extend your arms out to the sides. Make small circles with your arms, gradually increasing the size of the circles.
After a set number of repetitions, reverse the direction of the circles.
10. Overhead Tricep Extension
The overhead tricep extension targets the long head of the triceps muscle. Stand or sit with a dumbbell in one hand and raise it above your head, keeping your upper arm close to your ear. Bend your elbow and lower the dumbbell behind your head.
Extend your arm back to the starting position and repeat.