5 Great Arm Workouts That You Can Do At Home

Working out at home takes some serious motivation and determination, but once you’ve got it down then you can easily save yourself a lot of time and money by skipping a gym membership.

I find that one of the most difficult parts of working out at home, though, can be that motivation factor. How do you push yourself when there isn’t some super-buff trainer yelling encouragement?

Well, the simple answer is that you do really hard moves that don’t require you to work out for a long time.

1. Forearm Plank

You can do these between sets of any other workout that you do, according to Fitnessmagazine. Get into a push-up position, then align your elbows on the floor directly under your shoulders.

Stretch your hands forward and place them flat on the ground or interlace your fingers. Try to make a straight line from your head to your heels, supporting your lower back by holding your abdominal muscles in.

Hold for 20 seconds and then break for 20 seconds by lowering our knees to the ground. Try to work up to six reps.

2. Chair Dips

These are one of the best workouts for the entire backs of your arms. Please make sure you use a stable chair—that means no rolling office chairs!

Place your hands on the seat of a chair and keep your feet flat on the floor. You can start sitting in the chair or just squatting slightly over it.

Then, lower your body toward the floor while keeping your feet flat on the floor and your elbows in a 90-degree angle. Keep your back straight as you lift and lower your body in front of the chair. Do eight reps three times.

3. Push-Ups

I know, I know, push-ups are like the running of arm workouts. No one actually enjoys push-ups (just like no one really enjoys running), but they’re super effective, and you don’t have to do too many to actually get results.

Even better, you can modify them by dropping to your knees. The key to finishing a few sets of push-ups is to put rotate them as part of a circuit. For example, you could do them in between sets of chair dips.

If you’re a push-up pro, try buying a balance ball and doing push-ups with your legs balanced on the ball.

4. Pilates Boxing

Boxing is great because you often don’t feel like you’re doing any work until the next day.

To do this move, stand with your feet hips-width distance apart, bend your knees and bend forward slightly while maintaining a neutral spine, according to Health.com.

Raise your fists to shoulders height, and box out your right hand while keeping your elbows up. Tighten your lower abs as you box your arm out.

Bring your hand back to the center and switch. You can do these with or without weights. Box on each side 20 times.

5. Plank Taps

This one’s a little more challenging than your regular plank pose, but it’s a sure way to build both core strength and tone your arms.

Take plank pose with your hands on the ground — not forearm plank — directly underneath your shoulders. Your core and legs should be engaged.

Now, pick up your right hand and just tap your left shoulder while trying to keep your hips as steady and centered as possible. Place your right hand down and lift your left hand to tap your right shoulder. That’s one! Keep going, continuing to alternate sides.