Athletes and non-athletes alike often participate in workout routines aimed at arm strengthening, though these routines may produce mixed results. Taking a few simple steps can help ensure the arm strengthening routine produces the desired results, and avoiding injury by learning the proper way to execute the exercises is the first of these steps. Injuries can not only stall a workout program, but also prevent muscle growth or negate any previous gains. A person who is new to a workout routine will benefit from guidance from a professional trainer or more experienced person.
Many people make the mistake of focusing only on the arms when participating in arm strengthening workout routines. While a good arm workout is, of course, important, it is equally important to strengthen other muscles throughout the body to ensure proper function. Chest, neck, shoulder, back, and core muscles all need to be addressed in a workout to produce the best arm strengthening results. Muscles in the body work in conjunction with each other, so if the arm muscles are strong but the neck and shoulder muscles are not, the person may not see any noticeable gains in strength.
Weight training is perhaps one of the best ways to promote arm strengthening, though if it is done improperly, the person may see little in the way of results or no noticeable gains at all. Improper lifting technique can lead to injuries that can prevent muscle growth or negate any gains already developed; doing exercises improperly can also prevent a person from building muscles at all, and the time spent on the weight training will be wasted. A person new to weight training should consider working with a personal trainer who can demonstrate proper technique and monitor the person's progress. That trainer will also be able to help develop a workout routine that will encourage results.
Any exerciser should think carefully about his or her arm strengthening goals. A baseball pitcher, for example, will probably need a different workout routine than a person who will be taking part in weight lifting competitions. Bulk does not always translate into strength, and a baseball pitcher may need to do more mobility exercises rather than muscle strengthening exercises. Conversely, a weight lifter will want to add bulk, sometimes at the expense of mobility. Having a clear understanding of one's goals will help that person determine the most appropriate workout routine.
