If you want to strengthen your upper body, check out this list of the best arm exercises for women. All you need is a set of dumbbells and you can do all ten moves to create an arm workout, or choose a few of your favorite moves — it's up to you!
Working out your arms can make you feel powerful, period. However, one of the biggest fitness myths is that lifting weights will get you bulky. Maybe you do want to bulk up — and that's great! — but we're here to tell you this would take a long time to happen, and nutrition would play a huge role (you'd need to eat in a caloric surplus). So don't let the fear of bulking stop you from picking up those weights and trying these arm-sculpting moves.
As a bonus, after the tenth move, there's a 10-minute arm and shoulder workout video you can follow along to using many of these basic dumbbell arm moves. Itching for more? Check out these at-home arm workout videos.
— Additional reporting by Sam Brodsky
Muscles biceps curl and overhead press work: biceps and shoulders
Muscles lateral arm raise works: deltoids
Muscles triceps kickback works: triceps
Muscles overhead triceps extension works: triceps
Muscles bent-over reverse fly works: back of shoulders and upper back
Muscles upright row works: deltoids
Muscles skull crusher works: triceps
Muscles bicep-and-deltoid squeeze works: biceps and deltoids
Muscles dumbbell bench press works: chest
Muscles plank with Row and triceps extension works: triceps and upper back
This workout is all about the upper body. Grab a set of light- to medium-sized weights, and get ready to tone your upper body. Not only will this strength-training workout target the arms, chest, shoulders, and back, but it will also challenge your core and balance. It's the perfect complement to a cardio workout, or try it on those days when you only have time for a quick sweat session.