Can an Arm Cycle Help With Toning Arms?

Arm cycles can help you tone, increase your aerobic capacity and burn calories. Also known as hand bikes or arm ergometers, arm cycles did not receive recognition for yielding fitness benefits for quite some time. Because they were primarily used in physical therapy as part of the rehabilitation process for shoulder and arm injuries, fitness facilities rarely included arm cycles in their typical layout of exercise machines. The emergence of arm cycle fitness classes helped the machine gain popularity and it begin to make its way into more and more gyms.

  1. Using the Arm Cycle

    • Pedals on arm cycles are much like cranks on old-fashioned wringers or ice cream machines.

      Similar to a traditional bicycle, the arm cycle also has pedals. These pedals look like handles and they are located at about chest height. Depending on the machine you are using, you can pedal an arm cycle either from a standing or seated position. You can also pedal using one arm at a time, both arms in opposition, or both arms at the same time. This will allow you to target your muscles differently and add variety to your arm cycling workout.

    Getting Toned

    • You can build arm and shoulder strength using arm cycles.

      You will tone your arms and build strength in your upper body by changing the resistance on your arm cycle. The more resistance you add, the harder it will be for you to push the pedals. Be sure to incorporate pedaling one arm at a time during your workouts to make sure both arms are working equally. Using resistance, the arm cycle can help you tone your biceps, triceps and shoulders.

    Looking Toned

    • Pedal quickly to work up a sweat and get the full cardiorepiratory benefits of the arm cycle.

      Not only will you get more toned using the arm cycle, you will also burn approximately nine to 12 calories per minute pedaling the arm cycle. The faster you pedal, the more calories you'll burn. Consistently burning more calories than you consume leads to weight loss. When you lose the fat that is covering the muscles you are working to strengthen, you have a stronger, leaner more toned appearance. Combine speed and resistance on the arm cycle to strengthen your arms, burn more calories and obtain the toned arms you desire.

    Other Toning Benefits

    • Tone your entire upper body using the arm cycle.

      Exercising with the arm cycle yields noticeable strength and endurance gains. The combination of cardiovascular and strength-building efforts required to use the arm cycle improves arm exercise capacity. In addition to toning your arms, you will also tone your core as you use core rotation and trunk flexion when pedaling. Pedaling in a rowing motion with resistance also targets and tones your chest and back. Whether you use the arm cycle in a cycling class or independently, you can have a fully toned upper body and lose weight when you incorporate exercise on this machine into your workout routine.