So here's the deal: my lower body is pretty toned-- my legs, especially, from dancing. But my arms need some work. I've been considering lifting weights, but I definitely don't want to get too bulky or overly-muscular. Any tips for working the arms?
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So here's the deal: my lower body is pretty toned-- my legs, especially, from dancing. But my arms need some work. I've been considering lifting weights, but I definitely don't want to get too bulky or overly-muscular. Any tips for working the arms?
High weights, low reps. Unless you take hormones (steroids) you won't look like a man if you lift weights.
It's extremely difficult for a woman to become "too bulky". Just do a variety of arm exercises which work all the different muscles (triceps, deltoids, biceps, shoulders) at a weight that challenges you. You won't get bulky! Just don't lift CRAZY amounts of weights and/or spend an hour on your arms or something extreme.
^^ Ditto with what everyone said. You'll have to lift tons of weights and have a really specific diet/supplementation if you want to get bulky as a woman (and also for a lot of men).
I lift weights all the time and do push ups and I don't look bulky at all. You can see muscle tone but nothing bulky like a dude or even close to it.
Do body weight type exercises...modified push ups, T-stands, cobras, tricep dips. Yoga has some great upper body stuff that wont build size but will create strength and tone.
Hmm, I do the opposite of that, low weight, lots of reps.Quote:
Originally Posted by VenusGoddess
^^ That won't get you bulky, either. It's just more effective (IMHO) to use high weights and low reps. What you're doing is more or less increasing the endurance for your muscle more than strength.
^ Yep...of course, if it's bulk you are concerned about, take up Astanga Yoga or Pilates. ;) Full body toning with long, lean dancer muscles.
I also do low weights, tons of reps (weight class at the gym). Firms up your arms well without getting too bulky. I also do yoga and pilates, which helps as well.
any good tricep exercises? those are my problem areas
Dips are good for the back, shoulders, and triceps. Pushups with your feet on an ab-ball are also good for core, chest, and triceps.
All of this completely depends on your body structure. Personally, if I even look at the weight rack, my muscles start blowing up. I have the ability to put on muscle that most guys would kill for.
The problem is - I'm a woman!
I have found that it is better for me to do cardio that includes the upper body to keep my upper body tone and lean, without looking like She-ra; ie: rowing and swimming.
I really like doing kickbacks, skull crushers, and the rope on the cable overhead. But remember, don't just focus on a target area, it's important to train your entire body, as well as doing cardio.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jenna*
i'm the same as tampadancer. one sniff of weights and i'm looking like robocop. the most i do now is my own body weight exercises; push-ups and ballet.
we must have lots of testosterone in our bodies...ewwww... creepy.
I am the same, I do about 40 minutes most day weights, I get shoulder and arm definition really fast.. kerazy!
Find taking some days off or doing every other day slows it down a bit