Strong arms can aid in reducing sagging skin and preventing discomfort.
As we age, the pace of recovery slows down, and individuals become more susceptible to injuries. Muscle mass tends to diminish, with the arms being particularly vulnerable to this decline. However, in the pursuit of strengthening our arms, we often concentrate solely on the biceps, overlooking other crucial supporting muscle groups. Neglecting these larger arm muscles is a common contributor to issues like loose skin or arm discomfort. Therefore, whether you’re grappling with weak arms or aiming to enhance arm strength, it’s essential to begin by comprehending the anatomy of the arms and prioritizing exercises tailored for seniors.
Arms Anatomy
Our arms extend from the shoulders to the wrists, encompassing shoulder muscles, biceps, triceps, forearms, and wrists. The shoulder muscles are among the largest, underscoring the importance of prioritizing them before focusing on smaller muscle groups. Why start with large muscle groups? Firstly, targeting large muscles helps warm up smaller muscle groups. Secondly, since large muscles demand more energy, initiating with them is crucial. Lastly, developing larger muscles aids in calorie burning, beneficial for weight loss goals.
Exercises to Strengthen Arms in Older Adults
1) Military Press
The military press is a highly effective exercise for bolstering shoulder strength. It primarily targets the deltoid muscles, particularly the front head, which is one of the largest components of the shoulder. Being a compound movement, it engages multiple muscles simultaneously, including the triceps and forearms. However, due to the considerable strain placed on the shoulders during this exercise, the risk of injury escalates. Hence, it’s crucial to adequately warm up your deltoids before executing the movement.
2) Lateral Raises
The side lateral raise is an excellent exercise for isolating the shoulder muscles. By performing side raises, you specifically target the lateral head of the shoulder, which helps enhance the width and overall size of your arms. Strengthening the lateral head also facilitates triceps growth. It’s important to progressively increase the number of sets and repetitions with each session to optimize the strengthening process.
3) Triceps Cable Pushdown
As indicated by its name, the triceps, composed of three heads – the long head, lateral head, and medial head, require a comprehensive approach for optimal training. Incorporating a pushing motion is essential to target all three heads effectively, with the triceps pushdown being particularly advantageous. One of the key benefits of triceps pushdowns is their ability to enhance both strength and endurance, as they actively involve not only the triceps but also engage the core, back, and shoulders.
4) Biceps Curls
Training your biceps once a week is ample since they are among the smallest muscles in your body. An age-old exercise renowned for building arm strength is the biceps curl. However, it’s crucial to emphasize establishing a mind-muscle connection rather than simply lifting weights.
5) Wrist Curls with Palms Up
Performing palm-up wrist curls is beneficial for strengthening your forearms and enhancing grip strength. To execute this exercise, position your wrists on your knees, grasp a dumbbell in each hand, and lift your hands upward as far as possible while maintaining stationary arms. Aim to complete repetitions until failure, typically exceeding 20 reps, to maximize effectiveness.