Exercises to Slim Down Upper Arms

Having flabby upper arms are a sore spot for many people who are trying to slim down and shape up. They are often referred to as "bat wings" and can occur in both men and women. It is a problem area but not one that can't be fixed. It is a matter of focusing on fat burning and there are very effective ways to burn fat.

One thing to keep in mind is that you cannot spot reduce. Exercising the back of the arm is important. We should develop our tricep muscles but focusing only on that area will not burn fat. Unless we burn the fat, the muscle you are developing underneath will not show. We need to burn fat overall. Fat doesn't just melt away from one section of the body at a time. It burns from every place on your body.

How to Start Slimming the Arms

The first thing you need to do is find out your current weight and body fat percentage. You can get this information yourself, a personal trainer, or your general physician. These details give you something track as you make progress. Before you start any new fitness program, you should get a check-up with your health care provider as some exercises may be considered advanced.

The key to burning fat is building more muscle. This doesn't mean you are going to pack on tons of muscle mass like a bodybuilder. Your goal should be to build muscle and prevent muscle loss. You can achieve this with your own body weight. A great way to exercise with your own body weight is by performing calisthenics. If you're not familiar with calisthenics, they are exercises such as push-ups, pull-ups, squats, lunges, jumping jacks, mountain climbers, etc.

Lifting weights also burns fat. What I like to do is incorporate free weights with calisthenics. For example, I will hold dumbbells in each hand and perform walking lunges. Free weights add challenge and help to increase muscle mass.

As you make progress by burning fat and reducing your body fat percentage, you can begin focusing more on tricep exercises. Good ones to do include push-ups, chair dips, and dumbbell tricep routines. By doing these arm exercises you will begin firming up the upper arm area.

Do not hinder your progress by eating the wrong foods. The easy way to eat healthy is by avoiding processed foods. They often contain too much sugar, fat, and sodium. Focus on fat burn and get results!