6 Best Arm Workouts for Women (To Shape & Define Your Arms)

The following are some of my favorite arm exercises I incorporate into fitness plans for women looking to improve arm muscle strength and definition.

Use weights or resistance appropriate for your fitness level to avoid injury during your arm workout.

You can increase strength or resistance as you get stronger over time.

1. Bicep Curl

The bicep curl is a fundamental strength training exercise targeting upper arm muscles.

To perform bicep curls, you can use cable machine, resistance bands or dumbbells. This example will use dumbbells.

• Stand with feet shoulder-width apart.
• Hold a dumbbell in each hand with palms facing up.
• Bend elbows and keep them tight to your torso.
• Ensure your upper arms move as little as possible during the movement.
• Keep your back straight while curling your forearms upward toward your chest in a controlled motion.
• Squeeze at the top of the movement.
• Return to the start while focusing on a steady contraction of the biceps muscles.
• Repeat for 8-10 reps.

Hold dumbbells in each hand and stand with your feet hip-width apart with your knees slightly bent.

• Bend forward and let your arms hang straight down with your palms facing your body.
• Simultaneously raise both arms out to the side, keeping a slight bend in the elbows.
• Squeeze shoulder blades together.
• Lower back to the starting position with controlled movement. That is one rep.
• Do rear delt fly 2-3 sets of 10-15 reps.

3. Triceps Dip

To begin, stand, facing away from a stable bench or chair.

• Grab the bench or chair with both hands shoulder-width apart.
• Your legs should be fully extended in front of you.
• Slowly lower your body until you bend your elbows to 90 degrees.
• Using your triceps, lift yourself back to the starting position.
• Do 2-3 sets of 10-15 reps.

“The muscles required for arm movements include the muscles in the front and back of your arm, as well as the chest, shoulders, and upper back muscles.”

- Tyler Read, Certified Personal Trainer

Start by standing with feet shoulder-width apart and dumbbells in each hand at shoulder height with palms facing forward.

• Straighten your arms and press the dumbbells above your head, fully extending your arms.
• Briefly hold at the top of the movement.
• Lower the weights back to shoulder height with control.
• Repeat for 8-12 reps.

5. Dumbbell Pullover

To perform this exercise, lie on your back with knees bent 90 degrees and feet hip-width apart.

• With your hands shoulder-width apart, hold a dumbbell horizontally.
• Your palms should be facing in.
• Press your heels into the floor and squeeze your glutes to lift your hips slightly.
• Keep arms straight, but elbows slightly bent.
• With a slow, controlled movement, lower the dumbbell overhead toward the floor until your arms are parallel to the ground.
• Pull the dumbbell back to the start.
• Repeat for 8-12 reps.

Start by getting into a high plank position.

• Keep your body straight and your core engaged.
• Bring your left arm down until your forearm is on the mat.
• Repeat with the right arm bringing yourself to a forearm plank position.
• Reverse the movement by pressing your left palm into the floor and straightening your arm.
• Do the same with the right arm so you are back to the high plank.
• Repeat the movement remembering to bend your arms with control.
• Repeat for two 30-second sets.
• Rest briefly in between sets.