Trying to tone my arms and back

I used to climb, but gyms are closed now, so I do planks, and bought a set of stretchy silicone bands (different thickness), and use weights. I use youtube to guide me with the movements. It works, but needs time. And I eat more protein right after exercising.

Hi Hannah! I did planks, weight exercises that worked my triceps and push ups (knee bent version). Triceps are often overlooked but that is what gives you those toned arms from the back (I eliminated my flub that hung back there!). I hired a personal trainer who taught me everything (I knew NOTHING about working out). My personal trainer works with me now with resistance bands I bought for home (I have virtual appointments due to covid) that are used for lots of tricep exercises. If you want his number, please private message me. He works with people virtually all the time and very affordable!

Chloe Ting on YouTube has a great 3 week lean arm workout program! I’m only a few days in so I haven’t reached my toned arms goal yet, but I’ve done a few of her other programs and have been really impressed w/ the results! The program does also concentrate on the upper body and abs area so if you don’t want to follow the program exactly, I’m sure you could customize some of her videos to a schedule of your own. Search: Chloe Ting arms or Chloe Ting back and that will pull up her videos for arms and back exercises.

Don’t be afraid of picking up heavier weights! You’re not going to get “bulky” it’s the quickest way to define your arms. Do push-ups every day, light weights and do some cardio. Obviously, watch what you consume as well, you can’t “spot lose” weight. Pick up weights!

You can’t spot reduce certain areas, but remember that toning is really just muscle building. You’ll need weights that are heavy enough to build your muscles, and you’ll want to keep a pretty lean diet going so you lose the layer of fat that keeps the muscle from being seen. Rows, curls, flies, presses are all good movements for the upper body.

Yoga! Started doing it last year solely for the mental health benefits. I was shocked to find that my arms, shoulders, back, quads, and core are more visibly toned and AWESOME than they have ever been in my life (used to lift weights, kickbox, resistance bands, pretty much everything). The best part I guess is that I found the workouts enjoyable. It doesn’t help with the butt though so I’ve recently added some Pilates & barre workouts (since there is no way I’m going to start doing squats 🤢). We will see how that works, but overall I am super happy with what I’m currently working with.


As an aside: I have never actually enjoyed working out & hated yoga until I eased my way into it.