To ask if post 50, you really can tighten up the bingo wing upper arm with exercise?

Thanks I will have a look at all your suggestions. I haven't bought weights yet so might get started with Lucy Wyndham Read.

Honestly Lucy Wyndham Read has made a great difference for me - short exercises, just body weight, every day, get on it!

Billy Blanks (Tae Bo) on Youtube from the early 2000's does an 8 minute work out that really tightened mine, I've done Yoga & Pilates over the years but the boxing moves really made a difference

First look at Caroline’s EPIC Beginners programme. Use dumbbells that feel comfortable but a bit challenging, say 3 or 4 kg. Listen carefully to her demonstrations and make sure you really know how to do the various moves.

I would suggest EPIC 3 or EPIC Heat as good programmers to start with. Check out a full body session from these or a couple of other programmers and decide which one seems most relatable. And then just do it. Do as much as you can of which workout, and if you cannot do it all, finish it the next day.

HOWEVER, if you are really unfit and a total beginner, you may want to start with something slightly less challenging, such as Lucy Wyndham Read, Rebecca Louise or Popsugar Fitness. Growingannanas is excellent too, as is Heather Robertson.

always remember, challenging yourself is great, but you can modify or substitute - don’t risk injuring yourself. A few sessions with a qualified PT can be a very worthwhile investment!

NB: don’t forget to do the Bowflex 3-minute plank each day. Whatever you do, do that. It’ll make everything else so much easier. Your posture will improve and you will quite simply feel soooo much stronger.

This is probably it. Yoga and swimming won't do it. Get a proper trainer to teach you some safe and effective techniques to build proper muscle.

Many women use weights that are far too light, for fear of becoming 'too muscular', without having any concept of just how much effort and persistence that would actually take; bodybuilders wouldn't have to inject themselves with God-knows-what if it was really that easy!

I know this is an old thread. I'm 55 with awful bingo wings. I have looked at Caroline Girvan but there seem to be a lot to choose from. I'm a beginner and v unfit. Can anyone recommend via a link please.

I'd start with 3-4 kg, but be prepared to move up fairly quickly. With hindsight, I'd have invested in a set of high quality adjustable dumbbells. It's a faff to change mid-workout, but you could just modify, i.e. do fewer reps with heavier weights or vice-versa.

I started out with a set of 3 kg dumbbells I got via Freecycle, progressed to 5 kg that I now use as light-weights, along with a somewhat cumbersome set of adjustables left behind by one of my son's when he (finally...) moved out.

I have horses. Age 50. Don’t go to the gymn at all. Totally toned and no bingo wings. It’s all that riding, wheelbarrows and humping stuff about. However, I’ve never got any money as it all goes on them. Definitely cheaper and easier to stick to weights. I wonder if swimming would be good. Other posters will know.

I counteract ageing with lifting and have pretty good triceps which help enormously. However, I lift between 5kg and 20kg when working arms. 5kg are only used for the smallest of muscles at my longest lever. Mostly, I use 10+.

The larger muscles provide definition and burn more calories obviously. Serious lifting has improved my shape far more than decades of cardio and light weights.

Get a range of 3kg-8kg to start out. You'll soon want more!

TRX Pilates worked for me - only do an hour a week but my back & arm muscles have tightened up impressively. You use straps & your body weight to do resistence exercises.

I think when I started my heaviest weight was only a 5kg @GenXsurvivor
And you might find that you want to use lighter ones than that for some of the particularly upper body workouts while you build your fitness up.

I've bought heavier weights a bit at a time as I've progressed so it was never one large outlay.

I came across Wall Pilates on FB, not been to a class and only do a couple of exercises but finding them very effective -a quick Google will show you a few basic moves on YouTube.

There are some paid Apps but I’ve not bothered as yet with these.

LOL - I know all about collecting weights... If I'd known what I was letting myself in for I would have invested in a top quality adjustable set. As it is, i started out with 3 kg dumbbells; currently using 8 kg and 12 kg. If I come across a reasonably priced 15kg pair I'll grab it - because I know I'll get there at some point

I have just taken delivery of a pair of 12.5kg ones! They'll be used for RDLs, rows etc. Buying it all at once would be a nightmare cost-wise but as you say you work up so it's only a new purchase every few months.

LOL - I know all about collecting weights... If I'd known what I was letting myself in for I would have invested in a top quality adjustable set. As it is, i started out with 3 kg dumbbells; currently using 8 kg and 12 kg. If I come across a reasonably priced 15kg pair I'll grab it - because I know I'll get there at some point 😎

You absolutely, totally will not regret it.

Persevere, and you'll start to feel better within a fortnight.
Give it a month and you'll think "wow - am I actually doing this?"
After 3 months you'll feel like a different person - both inside and out!

NB: for anyone who finds Caroline too intimidating, I'd recommend Growingannanas HIIT with weights. Similar format to Ms Girvan, i.e. very professional and easy to follow, but less challenging.

That's good, I might go back to the GP as I've used it for a year now and they ought to consider it.

Another Caroline Girvan fan here - Iooking back at old photos my arms used to be much larger and looser than they are now. I'm early 50s and did loose a fair chunk of weight as well, but am stronger and more toned than I've ever been.

I had my testosterone levels tested on NHS. It was very low. GP would not prescribe testosterone though. She said that despite NICE guidelines they are not allowed to prescribe it "to see" if it makes a difference. I got it privately. It made a difference. GP might now prescribe it as I know it works for me.

Yes!! My mum is 55 and was very overweight like BMI 45+ .She has been doing weights every day as well as dieting for about 6 months and has made a phenomenal difference to her body shape ( and very little loose skin which i think might still tighten up some more). No bingo wings now!

Thank you.