How to Tone Arms Without Bulking Up

Use light weights with many repetitions to tone your muscles.

Taking care of your health and physical appearance is increasingly important in today's world. Not only does it make you look good, improving muscle tone can greatly improve your general health, and even the lightest of exercises can make you feel fantastic. In order to tone your arms without creating bulk, you should use a low weight with high repetitions. This method will exercise and define the muscles instead of building them up.

Things You'll Need

• Dumbells

Instructions

1. Create a schedule that you can realistically maintain. Try to put aside three days a week to focus on your arms. Preferably you should alternate the days, giving you an opportunity to rest your muscles. You shouldn't be doing anything more than 30 minutes per day, so try to put aside a little time to exercise.

2. Find a weight that you are comfortable with. Ideally you want to lift a low weight with a large number of repetitions. If a weight is too much of a strain, you can cause injury, so make sure the weight is light enough so you can maintain good posture at all times. Keep your back straight by standing with your back against a wall. This will ensure that your spine is straight and you will not be damaging your back in the long run.

3. Tone your bicep muscles by holding your weights in your hands with your arms extended, resting at your waist. Bring the weights upward in front of you, bending at the elbow. Keep your upper arms static as you raise the weights. Extend and straighten your arms and return them to their original position. Repeat the steps for another 20 repetitions on both arms.

4. Tone your triceps by placing your arms in a similar position, with your arms and hands by your sides. When you are ready, extend your arms outward so your arms are horizontal and you are lifting the weights to around the height of your shoulders. Lower your arms to their original position. Repeat this move 20 times, and then relax.

5. Ensure that you continue to do your exercises regularly, and stick to your training schedule as best you can. Once you feel confident, try looking toward more advanced techniques, although if you find you are happy doing these exercises, stick with them.

Tips & Warnings

• You may benefit from joining a gym where a trained instructor can help you to achieve your goals.

• If you don't have correct sized weights for your capacity, try filling empty bottles with water instead. Not only is this cost effective, but you can decide the exact weight by choosing how much water to put in.

• If you are over the age of 30 or have not been exercising regularly, it is recommended that you seek advice from your doctor before starting weight training of any level.

References

• WeightlossForAll.com: The Best Exercises to Tone Your Arms
• Real Women's Fitness: The Guide to Real Women's Arm Toning 4 - The Triceps