These are the 9 best home arm workouts to tone your muscles from home - no weights required
Spoiler alert: you don't need a gym membership to get stronger.
- 1. 15 Minute Resistance Band Arm Workout by Zanna Van Dijk
- 2. Strengthen And Sculpt Your Arms Workout by Shona Vertue
- 3. Full Upper Body Workout by Mad Fit
- 4. 15 Minute Push Arm Workout by Caroline Girvan
- 5. Resistance Band Upper Body Workout by Nicola Live
- 6. 20 Minute Barre Arms Workout by FitMik
- 7. 20 Minute Abs and Arms by Move With Nicole
- 8. 30 Minute Upper Body Workout by Growingannanas
- 9. Beginners Upper Body Calisthenics Workout by Lucy Lismore
Wondering whether you can get strong, toned arms from home? Let us refer you to the below at-home arm workouts, some of the best home workouts, period.
Not only will the below sessions seriously work your arms, they'll also help build all-important muscle, too. Wondering why an arm workout over, say, a leg session? In short, because studies have found training your upper body strengthens connective tissue, boosts joint health, and helps to prevent injury, not to mention tones your arms, shoulders, and biceps.
"You can do a lot with bodyweight or lightweight movements," says personal trainer Stef Williams.
In short: home workouts can be hugely effective. Don't believe us? Let us remind you of the UK-wide lockdown, where the nation went home workout crazy. Many women loved training at home- so much so, 30% said they'd be cancelling their gym membership after restrictions lifted, according to research conducted by Powerleague.
So what's the best home arm workout that you can do? Good question - and, as a fitness writer and qualified fitness instructor, I've scoured the web to find the very best home arm workouts for you to try.
Without further ado, scroll for our edit of arm workouts that'll boost your strength and tone in no time. Not sure how to workout at home? Our expert-led guide will help. Don't miss our round ups of the best warm up exercises and cool down exercises, while you're here, or stream our favourite Joe Wicks workout, gym workouts, or stretching workouts, too.
Best home arm workouts: 9 to try tonight
"The key to growing muscle is applying progressive overload, which means constantly challenging your muscles," shares Williams. "That can be applied in a number of ways, not just by increasing weight, but also reducing rest time and playing with time-under-tension."
Marie Claire Newsletter
Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!
Got that? The below workouts can be done from your bedroom, living room, or garden, and can be squeezed in no matter how much time you have to spare.
Fancy heading to the gym instead or have your own weights at home? These are the best arm workouts to have on your radar.
1. 15 Minute Resistance Band Arm Workout by Zanna Van Dijk
What? With over 500k views on YouTube, this is one of Youtuber van Dijk's most popular workout videos.
Why? It's great because it just requires a small resistance band, which you might not think exhausts the arms but, boy, does it leave your whole upper body shaking. Don't miss our edit of the best resistance bands, here. Featuring exercises like lateral raises and single arm rows alongside tricep extensions and bicep curls, you'll work your whole upper body which helps to build the strength and stability your arms need.
How long? 15 minutes.
2. Strengthen And Sculpt Your Arms Workout by Shona Vertue
What? Shona Vertue is known for her science-backed strengthening and stretching videos.
Why? This workout is a real all-rounder: using just a long resistance band, she works the biceps and triceps for a real burn. Eccentric press ups are one of the best ways to build muscle and will really target your triceps, and you'll be surprised at how much banded bicep curls strengthen your arms.
How long? 15 minutes.
3. Full Upper Body Workout by Mad Fit
What? Mad Fit's workouts are some of the most popular on Youtube, offering short yet effective sessions you can do from the comfort of your own home.
Why? This one uses dumbbells, which are worth a purchase if you are wedded to home workouts for extra resistance, but you can use tins or other heavy objects instead, too. That, or complete the workout using only your bodyweight - either way, MadFit's small, specific tweaks like using an underhand grip during bent over rows and lifting your glutes off the floor in chest press will help target your arms while training your stability.
How long? 15 minutes.
4. 15 Minute Push Arm Workout by Caroline Girvan
What? A quick yet seriously spicy home arm workout from personal trainer Caroline Girvan. You only need your bodyweight for this session (and a good bra).
Why? Yes, you can build your arms with no equipment at all, as Girvan proves in this video. Expect to do a whole load of press ups, but did you know different variations can switch up what muscle you're using? You'll be doing tricep press ups to target the back of your arms, diamond push ups for your shoulders and turning your hands out to the side for your biceps. (Don't miss our guides to the best bicep exercises and tricep exercises, here).
How long? 15 minutes.
5. Resistance Band Upper Body Workout by Nicola Live
What? Another great option for those with resistance bands is this Nicola Live video, where she works through classic moves and fun new variations to target your arms.
Why? Using resistance bands can be a seriously effective (not to mention cheap) way of toning and strengthening your arms. This session is no exception - you'll be sweating by the end as you perform compound exercises like rows and presses which target your back and biceps.
How long? 15 minutes.
6. 20 Minute Barre Arms Workout by FitMik
What? Have some light dumbbells and love barre? Then try this barre-inspired upper body workout.
Why? You'll be dancing along while building upper body muscle. Don't think small weights can actually improve your strength? As long as you work a muscle to failure, you'll be tearing the tissue and encouraging re-growth, which is exactly what happens in this session when you do two full minutes of tricep extensions without stopping.
How long? 20 minutes.
7. 20 Minute Abs and Arms by Move With Nicole
What? A purely bodyweight abs and arms workout that simply requires a good sports bra and one of the best yoga mats.
Why? If you prefer Pilates to traditional rep-based strength training, this video is for you. You'll flow through the arm workout but it will still work the muscles until failure in poses such as reverse planks. Get ready to feel those endorphins.
How long? 20 minutes.
8. 30 Minute Upper Body Workout by Growingannanas
What? A half an hour long sweat session targeting your upper body.
Why? Another one for people with dumbbells, this upper body workout is about bringing the gym to you with compound and isolation arm exercises for a stronger upper body. A lot of single arm workout, including alternating lateral raises and renegade rows, makes sure every side gets equally as strong to prevent injury, too.
How long? 30 minutes.
9. Beginners Upper Body Calisthenics Workout by Lucy Lismore
What? For something a bit different, try this calisthenics workout that will target your upper body and arms.
Why? This class involves gymnastics-inspired moves like assisted handstands and press-ups which work your upper body muscles ensurance, strength stability and balance, but don't worry, it's beginner friendly!
How long? 30 minutes.
How can I build my arms at home?
Simple - as personal trainer Williams points out, by applying progressive overload during each session.
In short, this means constantly upping the resistance and weight you're lifting, in turn challenging your muscles week on week. If you can't do that, tricks like reducing your rest time or playing with time under tension can help you build muscle, too.
Chloe Gray is a freelance journalist who writes and talks about health, fitness, and wellbeing through a feminist lens. She was part of the launch team for Stylist magazine's fitness brand, Strong Women, and has written for i news, Women's Health, Red magazine, Good Housekeeping, Refinery29, and more. She's all about building mental and physical strength, eating delicious food that fuels you well, and making the fitness industry more accessible and enjoyable. She's also a qualified fitness trainer and research nerd, so you can be sure everything you read is backed by proper science.
-
I never know what to buy my family for Christmas - but these luxurious Hotel Chocolat gifts are guaranteed crowd-pleasers
If you’re looking for gifts crafted with imagination for chocolate lovers, take note
By Jadie Troy-Pryde
-
Why Chappell Roan will 'say something controversial' if she wins a Grammy
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
All the winners from the British Fashion Awards and why they matter
From the history-making model Alex Consani, to the reigning champion designer Jonathan Anderson, we run through all the winners
By Rebecca Jane Hill
-
This time of year is jam-packed – 6 best arm workouts you can do from home, no weights needed
No equipment? No problem.
By Abbi Henderson
-
Strength training at home continues to be one of the most popular workouts, according to Google - how to make your home sessions the most effective
No gym membership? No worries.
By Anna Bartter
-
Functional fitness workouts are trending – how they can dramatically improve both your strength and quality of life
"It's like upgrading your body to handle life better"
By Abbi Henderson
-
I strength trained every other day for 20 minutes - and couldn't believe how much it boosted my fitness and mood
Keen to give it a go?
By Ally Head
-
It's one of the best workouts for boosting muscle and metabolism - so, what exactly is strength training?
Plus, learn all about the mental and physical benefits.
By Amy Sedghi
-
The 75 Hard challenge continues to be one of this year's biggest TikTok trends - so, can it actually change your life?
Before you consider giving it a go - read this.
By Ally Head
-
This is the foolproof formula to tone and strengthen your arms, according to a top celebrity trainer
Spoiler alert: it's all about consistency.
By Amy Sedghi
-
Keen to tone your arms? A PT’s pick of the 8 best shoulder workouts to boost both confidence and strength
Building a body for life.
By Amy Sedghi