Effective Arm Exercises for Women: A Personal Trainer's Guide

Question
Hi Bonnie, I am a certified personal trainer also, I have been for 10 years.  The most common complaints from my female clients are their arms.  I have them do high reps, low weights most of the time.  Sometimes I have them do free weights, the younger girls want more definition, the older ones just want to see more muscle tone instead of flab.  I keep them all on a pretty good died, however, you know the old saying "you can lead a horse to water but you can't make them drink it".  Anyway, some of these girls are training with me for over 2 years and I just don't see definition, I see more bulk.  This has been rattling my brain.  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.  Thanking you in Advance, Debi

Answer
Hi Debi,
Thank you for your question.
I too get most of my female clients saying that the bodypart that they want to work on the most is their triceps. Abs first-triceps second.
What I have found to be the most effective for my client are push-ups.
They do different kinds of push-ups.
Feet elevated
Upperbody elevated
Hands spread apart
Hands on dumbbells
Hands on a medicine ball.
What types of exercises are you having them doing currently-are they mainly using machines at the gym?
Do you use resistance bands? Or medicine balls?
Let me know what most of your clients are doing now and I will see if I can come up with some suggestions for you.
Thanks,
Bonnie