A significant transformation is sweeping through British gyms and fitness studios, as a decade-long obsession with building the perfect posterior is being overtaken by a powerful new focus: the pursuit of impressive, muscular arms.
The Pendulum Swings: From Lower Body to Upper Body Focus
For years, squats, lunges, and hip thrusts dominated workout routines, driven by a culture fixated on glute development. However, leading fitness professionals across the UK now confirm a clear and decisive shift in client priorities towards the upper body.
Dale Atkinson, a veteran trainer behind the brand Peak Health and Fitness, observed this change, stating there is a clear shift toward more attention on arms and chest, particularly the upper arms, shoulders, and forearms. He suggests that if the last ten years were about the lower body, the next phase is firmly centred on the upper body.
This sentiment is echoed by trainers nationwide, who report a surge in clients specifically requesting workouts to build their biceps, triceps, and shoulders. The reasons for this shift are multifaceted. While glute exercises are notoriously challenging and results can be slow to appear—often hidden under clothing—arm training offers quicker, more visible rewards. The muscles respond faster, and any gains are instantly noticeable in a T-shirt, at the office, or even during a video call.
Celebrity Influence and the Visibility Factor
The trend appears to have gained momentum partly through celebrity culture. Interest in sculpted arms among women grew after stars like Jennifer Aniston, 56, showcased her toned arms on social media. For men, figures like Ryan Seacrest, 51, and Pedro Pascal, 50, have recently drawn attention with noticeably bulkier biceps.
Abbie Watkins, a UK-based personal trainer, notes that while glute training dominated for nearly a decade, signs now point to a shift. She states that many male clients are prioritising biceps and triceps, sometimes ahead of lower body work. For women, the trend manifests differently, with increasing demand for lean, defined 'Pilates arms' rather than sheer size.
Trainer Denise Chaoian highlights the instant visual payoff, explaining that large, muscular arms have become synonymous with visible strength. 'You can see them from a distance when they're wearing a t-shirt, on a Zoom call, or even when they're just holding a phone. For a lot of guys, arms are the most visible return on investment at the moment,' she said.
The Ozempic Effect and Social Media Drivers
Another potential factor influencing this trend is the rise of weight-loss medications like Ozempic. Trainers note that the rapid weight loss associated with these drugs can lead to thinner arms, prompting individuals to hit the gym to rebuild muscle mass in that area.
Simultaneously, arm workouts are commanding attention online. Fitness creators are seeing notable engagement on content focused on upper body development. For instance, YouTuber Jeremy Ethier, with 7.4 million subscribers, garnered 3.5 million views for a video titled 'The Only Two Exercises You Need For Massive Arms.'
To build bigger arms, trainers recommend training them twice weekly with progressively heavier weights. Key exercises include:
- Bicep curls
- Hammer curls
- Overhead tricep extensions
For those seeking a more sculpted and toned look rather than bulk, the advice involves lifting heavy weights for fewer repetitions, incorporating supersets, and maintaining a slight calorie deficit. As the fitness landscape evolves, it seems the spotlight in the weight room has definitively shifted upwards, making arm day the new main event.
