Toning the upper arms is particularly important to women, while men prefer to increase muscle mass. In either case, there are two points to consider when attempting to tone or increase muscle size in your arms.

The first consideration is that exercise is not a substitute for a proper diet. If your muscles are hidden beneath layers of fat, no amount of exercise will be able to tone and define the muscles visibly. To achieve visibly toned arms you must first lose the fat. This can be done with a proper reducing diet. Keep in mind, however, that no diet, regardless of their claims, can "target" a specific area of the body for fat loss. The body will consume fat reserves, including those on your arms, while it also reduces fat stored elsewhere on the body.

The second consideration in toning or defining the arm muscles is to exercise them regularly. Targeted exercise can build muscle strength and endurance. Women will not build up muscle to the degree that men will, unless, of course, they are intentionally training to do so. So, women, don't fear that weight training will make you look like Arnold Schwarzenegger. What you will get out of it are toned, beautiful arms that accent your figure and improve your appearance.