Arms?

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-07-2003
Arms?
11
Wed, 03-16-2005 - 9:24am

Hi all,

Okay, in an effort to work my upper body, i have been working on the rower lately. I am a weakling upper body and would like to build some strength in the pecs, back, and arms. I figured that the rower would be good because it will give me some cardio too and my time is limited.

However, i don't want to develop bulk in my arms - i've heard this is a common concern with women and seem to recall a previous thread on this board about it.

What i am seeing is that my biceps are getting really defined, and my forearms/lower arms are getting noticeably bigger! Nothing seems to be changing with my back and pecs. I am slightly underweight and a 32A, so am concerned with my arms being out of proportion to my body, or maybe i am just not used to this.... If i continue the rower, will i end up with Popeye arms?

Thanks!

fuchsia

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
In reply to: fuchsia_g
Wed, 03-16-2005 - 10:36am
Popeye arms--that's funny!





iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
In reply to: fuchsia_g
Wed, 03-16-2005 - 10:48am
also, are you sure you are doing the rowing machine right? it should be working your lats and chest and shoulders, not your forearms.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
In reply to: fuchsia_g
Wed, 03-16-2005 - 11:25am
Good point!





iVillage Member
Registered: 05-07-2003
In reply to: fuchsia_g
Wed, 03-16-2005 - 12:20pm

Thanks both Jen and Jean, i'm glad i asked!

Actually, i feel like i'm working my foreams *alot* - they get really fatigued on the rower. I don't feel like i'm working my legs at all, but maybe that's because i've already got a lot of strength in my thighs. Maybe my form isn't so great and i'm prematurely bending my arms and pulling them too soon in the stroke.

My back and lats might be in decent shape as i do a fair amount of hatha yoga (vinyasa and iyengar styles which tend to build strength). So maybe i'm just "feeling it" in my arms because they're so weak to begin with. But really, my forearms are starting to look like they'll soon be opening cans of spinach!

fuchsia

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
In reply to: fuchsia_g
Wed, 03-16-2005 - 12:33pm

Have you asked someone to show you how to use it? Form is really important on the rower.






iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
In reply to: fuchsia_g
Wed, 03-16-2005 - 3:58pm
speaking of popeye arms. i have reverse-popeye arms. i think my forearms are way too scrawny compared to my upper arms. it's because i'm super small-boned and i have this tiny little wrist.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2004
In reply to: fuchsia_g
Wed, 03-16-2005 - 4:09pm

You may be gripping the handles of the rower too intensely, so you might want to concentrate on using a light grip - the same way you do when you're lifting weights, concentrating on isolating the muscles that you're working, and not the gripping muscles. I know my forearms sometimes get sore after a night of swing dancing, from gripping onto other peoples' hands all night, trying to pull myself in.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
In reply to: fuchsia_g
Wed, 03-16-2005 - 4:16pm
Good point!

Jean,






iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
In reply to: fuchsia_g
Wed, 03-16-2005 - 4:22pm

I wonder how much bigger you could make them by lifting.






iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
In reply to: fuchsia_g
Thu, 03-17-2005 - 8:53am
you also need strong forearms for drumming. rock climbing and drumming.

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