What is the best way to tone up upper body?

[yah]

I'm female, size 0. I'm not looking to lose weight but I'd like to have some definition on my upper body (triceps, shoulders, get rid of underarm fat). I've got great legs but I want to be able to feel the same about my upper body. Basically, I want to look really good in a tube top! I'm doing cardio and will begin pilates next week. Will that work? BTW, no push-ups please, I've never been able to do one.

[welikeincrowds]

You should start by doing some pus-

 

BTW, no push-ups please, I've never been able to do one.

Umm... well, then you should really start doing them!

 

I bet you could do more than you think. Half the task of a push-up is just getting yourself into a stable plank position, which has as much to do with your abs and even something to do with your legs. Push-ups are a great exercise for your upper body (chest and triceps) so you should absolutely not count them out. Apparently they're also a bit of a mindgame for you, so all the more reason. You can use them as a measure of progress.

 

Not to psyche you out or anything. It's just that if you haven't already, you should start getting used to the idea of "lifting weight", because that is how you develop stronger muscle (a.k.a. "tone up" -- it's all the same thing). Whether that weight is plates on a barbell, or it's just your body weight, getting a better physique is achieved by simply moving around stuff that feels heavy to you.

 

Cardio, meanwhile, is good for being in shape, but it's only tangentially related to the task of building more muscle (again, that's how you tone). Depending on your diet, it could inhibit toning (although I wouldn't say something stupid like "don't do cardio"). Pilates will definitely help you. Doing weight-lifting exercises would help you (even if you're only using your body weight).

 

Make sure your diet is right and that you eat enough protein. Nothing you do will matter if you're not eating enough -- your body won't have anything to work with to repair and build new muscle and after your initial strength gains, nothing will happen and you won't see results. Also, if your diet is really bad, you won't have enough energy to lift.

[Breezy Trousers]

I used to be a fanatical runner and weight trainer.

 

In 1997, while I was working out at a nice health club each morning, I wanted to develop my upper body but didn't want to hire a personal trainer. Instead, I decided to try out the routine set forth in this book by Joyce Vedral:

 

http://www.amazon.com/Weight-Training-Made-Easy-Transform/dp/0446671096/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1309059947&sr=1-3

 

I followed the exercises Vedral recommended. By the 6th week, people were coming up to me, asking me how I got so much definition in my upper body and my abs. Many of these people were still working with personal trainers, too!

 

I memorized the routine and still find it works better than anything else.

 

Good luck.

[JohnM]

I second push ups, you will really tone well. If you struggle there are easier technique ones you can do if you look them up like half press ups from the knees not toes. Try a women's site. For your triceps and upper chest even a light bench press with just the bar may give you what you need at first since your upper is weak. Have you tried using light barbells lifted behind your head? SHoulder press machines would also be good.

[tman666]

Have you tried using light barbells lifted behind your head?/QUOTE]

 

Do not shoulder press from behind the neck. It puts an unnecessary amount of stress on the shoulder joint while not giving any added benefit to a normal military or shoulder press. Same goes for behind the neck lat pull downs. Movements such as these are fine for improving shoulder flexibility (using a broomstick, for example), but adding resistance to them is asking for potential injury.

[Chocolat]

Have you tried using light barbells lifted behind your head?

 

Do not shoulder press from behind the neck. It puts an unnecessary amount of stress on the shoulder joint while not giving any added benefit to a normal military or shoulder press. Same goes for behind the neck lat pull downs. Movements such as these are fine for improving shoulder flexibility (using a broomstick, for example), but adding resistance to them is asking for potential injury.

 

 

Maybe he meant standing BB triceps extensions?

[tman666]

Maybe he meant standing BB triceps extensions?

 

That's a possibility that I didn't think of! I suppose I should've given him the benefit of the doubt.

[betterdeal]

Go for yoga. Bikram or ashtanga will probably work best.

[Chocolat]

That's a possibility that I didn't think of! I suppose I should've given him the benefit of the doubt.

 

Well, "light barbells lifted behind your head" isn't exactly clear.

 

OP - "tone" is nothing more than having some muscle and low enough bodyfat to reveal it. Have you considered incorporating some weight training into your program?

[USMCHokie]

I'm doing cardio and will begin pilates next week. Will that work?

 

No.

 

BTW, no push-ups please, I've never been able to do one.

 

Then we can't help you. You must incorporate some form of resistance training to achieve your goals. Don't be lazy.

[JohnM]

That's what I meant, just didn't know how to describe it without knowing its name.