Workout suggestions for fabulous arms?

sheepla · 09-07-12, 12:56 PM

I've torn a hip flexor muscle and am mostly limited to upper body work for now. Most of the strength workouts I prefer are full body. If I want to spend this time working on getting fabulous arms, which workouts would you recommend? There really can't be a lower body component until I am further along in the healing process.

PUB is a standby favorite of mine but I'm a little burned out on it so would welcome other suggestions.

marmact · 09-07-12, 01:01 PM

The Shoulder & Arm workout from P90X is an oldie but a seriously excellent goody.

I also really like Cathe's Trisets. It includes a really nice UB premix. Some of the work is done on a ball but I imagine you could easily modify to a step or bench if necessary to avoid putting any weight on your injury.

alydinva · 09-07-12, 01:02 PM

I was also going to suggest Cathe's Trisets (there are UB and LB premixes). That, in combo with PUB, have given me beautiful arms and shoulders.

ebianco · 09-07-12, 02:45 PM

My arms never looked better than when I did the Firm Upper Body workout (original compilation) regularly and a lot of cardio.

I'm mostly doing total body work now (kettlebells and such) and a LOT of cardio to get back down to that weight in which my arms looked that good

At which time I would like to really focus on them again in part using the Firm Upper Body workout. I really did get a lot of compliments on my arms at the time though!

I also like the other Firm UB workouts, like BSS4 Jiggle Free Arms (which also has cardio) and BSS2(IIRC?) Upper Body, but the original compilation was the toughest.

I also really like 10 Days to a Better Body UB portion with Cindy Witmarsh - great cardio/strength routine, the UB workouts from S90 (Chest & Back; Arms & Shoulders), Barry's Bootcamp UB emphasis with Cindy again, but I still felt like Firm Upper Body just gave the best results for me.

PS, I'm sorry to hear about your injury and I hope you heal up quickly!

Jane P. · 09-07-12, 02:47 PM

I like the upper body premixes on High Reps, Muscle Max, and STS Total Body.

Some moves require standing, but you could sit if you needed to.

hotncmom · 09-07-12, 02:54 PM

I'm going to go against the grain here and say that bodyweight exercises (various planks/side planks/pushups/tricep pushups) combined with hi-rep light weights and a smidge of unweighted arms works best for me. I don't know if doing the mat work would be uncomfortable for you or not.

zippity · 09-07-12, 03:03 PM

I'm sorry you tore your hip flexor; ouch! What's PUB, by the way? Is it Cathe's Pyramid Upper Body?

marmact · 09-07-12, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hotncmom

I'm going to go against the grain here and say that bodyweight exercises (various planks/side planks/pushups/tricep pushups) combined with hi-rep light weights and a smidge of unweighted arms works best for me. I don't know if doing the mat work would be uncomfortable for you or not.

Planks and their relatives are actually what work best for me, too, but I wouldn't attempt that type of work with a problematic hip flexor.

bfit · 09-07-12, 10:08 PM

This past winter I had an SI joint injury and for a few weeks I could do only seated exercises. Cathe's Slow and Heavy worked well in a chair. Leslie Sansone's Short Cuts Upper Body is all done in a chair and with heavy weights it's not too easy. Safe and Strong at 50 shows a chair modification, and it uses weights and a band. For push-ups and planks I avoided them at first and then I started doing them by putting my hands on the washing machine or the kitchen counter instead of the floor.

PhyllisG · 09-08-12, 04:22 AM

[QUOTE=hotncmom;2098614]I'm going to go against the grain here and say that bodyweight exercises (various planks/side planks/pushups/tricep pushups) combined with hi-rep light weights and a smidge of unweighted arms works best for me.

I am going to agree. Heavy weights did not give me the results I wanted. Light weights high reps really helped to slim and tone my arms along with unweighted work plus planks, push ups etc.

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09-07-12, 12:56 PM
sheepla VF Supporter Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: OK	Workout suggestions for fabulous arms? I've torn a hip flexor muscle and am mostly limited to upper body work for now. Most of the strength workouts I prefer are full body. If I want to spend this time working on getting fabulous arms, which workouts would you recommend? There really can't be a lower body component until I am further along in the healing process. PUB is a standby favorite of mine but I'm a little burned out on it so would welcome other suggestions. __________________ Shelia

09-07-12, 01:01 PM
marmact Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: In a plank position	The Shoulder & Arm workout from P90X is an oldie but a seriously excellent goody. I also really like Cathe's Trisets. It includes a really nice UB premix. Some of the work is done on a ball but I imagine you could easily modify to a step or bench if necessary to avoid putting any weight on your injury. __________________ "We will dance on their chamois!" ~ Grunter von Agony, Hell Hath No Fury (The Sufferfest)

09-07-12, 01:02 PM
alydinva Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Virginia	I was also going to suggest Cathe's Trisets (there are UB and LB premixes). That, in combo with PUB, have given me beautiful arms and shoulders.

09-07-12, 02:45 PM
ebianco VF Supporter Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: USA	My arms never looked better than when I did the Firm Upper Body workout (original compilation) regularly and a lot of cardio. I'm mostly doing total body work now (kettlebells and such) and a LOT of cardio to get back down to that weight in which my arms looked that good At which time I would like to really focus on them again in part using the Firm Upper Body workout. I really did get a lot of compliments on my arms at the time though! I also like the other Firm UB workouts, like BSS4 Jiggle Free Arms (which also has cardio) and BSS2(IIRC?) Upper Body, but the original compilation was the toughest. I also really like 10 Days to a Better Body UB portion with Cindy Witmarsh - great cardio/strength routine, the UB workouts from S90 (Chest & Back; Arms & Shoulders), Barry's Bootcamp UB emphasis with Cindy again, but I still felt like Firm Upper Body just gave the best results for me. PS, I'm sorry to hear about your injury and I hope you heal up quickly! __________________ "Feel strong and beautiful. Be a Tonique woman." -Sylwia

09-07-12, 02:47 PM
Jane P. VF Supporter Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Colorado Springs	I like the upper body premixes on High Reps, Muscle Max, and STS Total Body. Some moves require standing, but you could sit if you needed to. __________________ "The two most powerful warriors are patience and time." Leo Tolstoy

09-07-12, 02:54 PM
hotncmom Join Date: Jan 2009	I'm going to go against the grain here and say that bodyweight exercises (various planks/side planks/pushups/tricep pushups) combined with hi-rep light weights and a smidge of unweighted arms works best for me. I don't know if doing the mat work would be uncomfortable for you or not.

09-07-12, 03:03 PM
zippity Join Date: Feb 2011	I'm sorry you tore your hip flexor; ouch! What's PUB, by the way? Is it Cathe's Pyramid Upper Body? __________________ STS Grad 2X

09-07-12, 10:08 PM
bfit Join Date: Nov 2005	This past winter I had an SI joint injury and for a few weeks I could do only seated exercises. Cathe's Slow and Heavy worked well in a chair. Leslie Sansone's Short Cuts Upper Body is all done in a chair and with heavy weights it's not too easy. Safe and Strong at 50 shows a chair modification, and it uses weights and a band. For push-ups and planks I avoided them at first and then I started doing them by putting my hands on the washing machine or the kitchen counter instead of the floor.

09-08-12, 04:22 AM
PhyllisG Join Date: May 2005 Location: Woodstock NY	[QUOTE=hotncmom;2098614]I'm going to go against the grain here and say that bodyweight exercises (various planks/side planks/pushups/tricep pushups) combined with hi-rep light weights and a smidge of unweighted arms works best for me. I am going to agree. Heavy weights did not give me the results I wanted. Light weights high reps really helped to slim and tone my arms along with unweighted work plus planks, push ups etc.