Q and A: What can I do to firm my flabby arms?
September 18, 2008 10:05 PM | Q & A | Your Body | Comments (0)
 | The answer to this depends on why you consider your arms “flabby”. Do you have excess skin? Do you need to firm up the muscle and/or lose body fat? When people ask me about this, they usually hold their arm out and shake it – in order to show me how flabby it is. This is not a good way to determine your true “flab”. I say this because even muscle moves when it’s relaxed. Find the buffest person you can. Ask them to relax their arm and shake it. Even if it’s Lou Ferrigno, that arm will shake! |
A better way to do this is to stick your arm out and tighten it first (flex your triceps). Then pinch the “leftovers”. This makes the muscle firm, leaving you with a combination of skin and fat to give you a better idea of what you need to work on.
Excess loose skin. When skin is stretched, it will tighten up to a certain extent once the reason for the stretch (pregnancy, weight gain) is gone. Once a pregnancy is over, your stretched skin goes back to normal, or near normal, depending on your genetics. If you gain weight over time, then lose it gradually, your skin usually snaps back as well. In many cases however, if you gained a significant amount of weight, kept it for years, then lost it quickly, your excess skin may not improve without surgery. Our skin usually accommodates gradual weight gain and loss and reverts to normal over time, but drastic changes can stretch the skin beyond capacity. In these instances, it is best to consult your doctor to discuss your options.
Excess body fat and/or soft muscle. Many people fall into this category. Usually, the two factors that make an arm “flabby” are soft muscle and excess fat. To firm the muscle, there are numerous exercises that help. For examples, check out the article “Want Better Triceps”.
Firming the muscle alone will not work if you also have body fat to lose. To lose body fat, it’s the usual – get those eating habits in check and get moving with cardio. The fat will come off everywhere, and great arms won’t be the only body part you’ll want to show off!
Excess loose skin. When skin is stretched, it will tighten up to a certain extent once the reason for the stretch (pregnancy, weight gain) is gone. Once a pregnancy is over, your stretched skin goes back to normal, or near normal, depending on your genetics. If you gain weight over time, then lose it gradually, your skin usually snaps back as well. In many cases however, if you gained a significant amount of weight, kept it for years, then lost it quickly, your excess skin may not improve without surgery. Our skin usually accommodates gradual weight gain and loss and reverts to normal over time, but drastic changes can stretch the skin beyond capacity. In these instances, it is best to consult your doctor to discuss your options.
Excess body fat and/or soft muscle. Many people fall into this category. Usually, the two factors that make an arm “flabby” are soft muscle and excess fat. To firm the muscle, there are numerous exercises that help. For examples, check out the article “Want Better Triceps”.
Firming the muscle alone will not work if you also have body fat to lose. To lose body fat, it’s the usual – get those eating habits in check and get moving with cardio. The fat will come off everywhere, and great arms won’t be the only body part you’ll want to show off!
Copyright © 2009 by A.M. Birmingham, ISSA CFT
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